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What’s in This Article
- What to Look for in a Home Renovation Quote
The essential details every reliable quote should include—from accurate pricing to warranty information. - Red Flags That Signal a Problem
Common warning signs in a quote and the questions every homeowner should feel empowered to ask. - How to Compare Quotes Across Renovation Companies
A simple way to make sure you’re comparing the same scope, materials, and services—not just the bottom-line price. - Why a Higher Quote May Be the Better Value
When premium materials, craftsmanship, warranties, and project management justify the investment. - How Great Day Improvements Builds Trust with Homeowners
Our commitment to transparency, quality, and support from design to installation—and why it matters.
Whether you’re about to start a small home project or a large-scale renovation, you deserve to know how your money is being spent on the work. This is where the home renovation quote comes into play. More than simply a price tag placed on the labor and materials involved, a quote maps out the project from start to finish.
Or at least it should. Here’s how to assess a renovation quote so that both you and your home are in good hands with your team of home professionals.
What Should Be Included in a Home Renovation Quote?
Although home renovation quotes will vary by size and complexity, there are certain details that should remain the same. Here is what’s included in a home renovation estimate.
An Accurate Price
Emphasis on accuracy—not just an estimate. To get an accurate price, your quote should include a scope of work, specific features, and specific products. Depending on your budget, talk to the design consultant about the trade-offs of the expense options with your design choices.
Project Timeline and Contingency Plans
A quote should have a projected timeline for completion, along with a plan for extending that timeline in the (likely) event that materials or workers are unable to arrive on time. Homeowners should maintain some flexibility and understand that some delays are inevitable, but it’s up to the renovator to have a plan in place to keep the project moving.
Financing Options
Renovation projects, even simple ones, can get expensive. And unless you have saved up enough cash to pay for it outright, you’ll be looking for a way to finance your project. If the company provides these resources, they’ll include your options in your quote.
Warranty and Post-Project Support
Warranties are not just for fixtures and appliances—they also cover workmanship and the materials or products installed into your house. The full warranty should be provided for your review. Take note who the warranty is from: the manufacturer, dealer, or sub-contractor? In your home renovation quote, look for terms that discuss coverage options and ongoing project support from your home expert team.
Red Flags That Might Signal a Problem
Getting a home renovation quote in writing versus a general verbal estimate is important because it allows you to spot any red flags, inconsistencies, or omissions that could affect the work or the price tag. Here’s what to look for in a quote, along with some questions to ask contractors about pricing.
Fully Handwritten Quote
Because quotes are created during your in-home consultation, there will probably be some amount of handwriting to outline the details—that’s very normal. However, if your quote is fully handwritten on a scrap piece of paper (not a templated form), that’s not a great sign. It shows that the company doesn’t have an established process to complete a job and could mean potential future gaps or missteps in your project.
Vague Line Items
You don’t have to be a contractor to recognize vague costs on a home improvement quote. Look for telling terms like “miscellaneous” or “as necessary,” and then ask specifically what those items are and what would warrant the labor or supplies “as necessary.”
Unclear Scope or Missing Materials
You should be able to look at a home renovation quote and see all of the work and materials involved in the project. The project scope should be clear from the start, but if materials are still being priced or you are awaiting availability on certain items, ask to have them added to finalize the quote before you sign a contract.
Payment Terms That Raise Concerns
Homeowners can usually expect to put down some form of down payment to a contractor before work even begins. While the scope of the work and total cost of the project will determine the down payment amount, typical payment stages are upon signing, manufacture or purchase of materials, first day of install, and project completion. These stages and the % owed at each can vary based on the size of your project and how your remodeler does business. However, even with a carefully written quote, no contractor should be asking for full payment up front.
A Comparison Chart of What to Expect in a Quote and Red Flags
| Quote Element | What Homeowners Should Expect | Red Flags to Watch Out For |
| Pricing | Detailed, accurate pricing tied to a specific scope of work | Vague or verbal-only estimates |
| Timeline | Defined start/end dates + contingency plan | No mention of a timeline or process for delays |
| Materials | Clear products, specs, and availability | Missing or TBD items |
| Warranty | Product & workmanship terms | No written warranty provided/available |
| Payment Terms | Outlined payment stages tied to project milestones | Majority upfront payment requirements |
Ready to compare quotes with confidence? Request your free renovation quote from Great Day Improvements today.
How to Compare Quotes Across Contractors
It’s tempting to go with the first renovator you connect with, especially if the price is within your budget. But even then, you should talk to at least one or two other companies to get a basis of comparison for your home project. Again, it’s not just about the price; it’s the various components of that price that deserve a closer look to understand it’s full value.
Are You Comparing Apples to Apples?
The fruit analogy is fitting but be sure to factor in things like materials and finishes, along with the actual scope of the work. For example, two contractors might have given you a quote for labor that’s on par with each other, but one might be leaning more toward high-end floor tiles while the other has identified a more budget-friendly option. Be sure to ask questions and understand your material choices when comparing quotes.
What’s Included vs. Excluded
A lower quote might mean that certain things aren’t included. Examples could be demolition, appliance haul away, project cleanup, or getting permits. A higher quote could indicate that they are, but it also might include labor or items that you don’t want or need. If you’re not clear on exactly what it is you’ll be paying for now and what you might still need to pay for later, ask the company to explicitly clarify.
Who Handles Permits, Cleanup, and Follow-Up?
It’s usually the contractor who handles the permit process, but don’t assume anything. The same goes for cleanup, appliance removal, and any other steps to finalize a project. There should also be mention of any follow-up visits or renovation walkthroughs to ensure that the work has been done to the satisfaction of both the home pro and the homeowner.
When a Higher Home Renovation Quote Might Actually Be the Better Deal
Yes, you read that correctly. A higher quote doesn’t always mean you’re being overcharged for work; in fact, it could be the better one to choose in the long run. Here are some reasons to give that high quote a second look.
Higher-Quality Materials or Craftsmanship
High-end materials and handcraftsmanship will always cost more. Budget-minded homeowners should discuss all design options, including any customizations, before receiving a quote to ensure they are on the same page with their contractor. Keep in mind, though, that some contractors will only deal with certain brands or manufacturers, so you might have limited say in how much you can negotiate the prices on and the choices of materials and finishes.
Better Warranties and Long-Term ROI
For most home renovations, products come with a manufacturer’s warranty and the contractor covers workmanship and installation separately. But with Great Day Improvements, we design, manufacture, and install our products, so we stand behind everything. It’s not just about how great your new windows, doors, and gutters look now, but how well they’ll perform for years to come. Working with our team of experts means you’ll be getting both high-quality products and high-quality warranties.
More Professional Project Management
A dedicated project manager might be included in a higher-priced quote, and depending and the scope of your project, it could be totally worth it. Timeline and supply delays do happen, but things will still stay on track when there’s someone monitoring and communicating with you about your project’s current status.
How Great Day Improvements Earns Homeowners’ Trust
We know that homeowners have choices for hiring home professionals to tackle a project. Here’s how we at Great Day Improvements work to make homeowners know we should be their final choice for home remodeling.
Transparent Pricing with No Surprises
With Great Day Improvements, there’s no question about what’s in your home renovation quote. We are transparent in our pricing so that there are no unwelcome surprises. But we do welcome any and all questions from homeowners because we value their trust in our work.
Industry-Leading Warranties
We design, manufacture, and install products that we sell, so we stand behind our work with both product and workmanship warranties. Great Day Improvements isn’t the only company that offers product coverage, of course, but we think we provide our customers with more peace of mind by installing the very products we design.
Project Support from Start to Finish
Our experienced team of experts is there with you every step of the home improvement process, from the point of sale to the design, manufacture, installation, and service of our products. Whenever you have questions, we have answers.
Proven Satisfaction from Real Homeowners
We couldn’t become one of the largest home improvement companies in the country without a proven track record of customer satisfaction. Our home expert team is driven by a job well done.
Still have questions? Check out our FAQs or browse recent projects for inspiration and peace of mind.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between a home renovation quote and an estimate?
Although the words are sometimes used interchangeably, there is a difference. An estimate is just that—an estimated cost or cost range given for a project that is likely based on other similar projects a contractor has completed. A quote, on the other hand, is a more precise offer based on your project’s scope and specifications. You’ll want to see a quote, not an estimate, before you sign any contracts.
How detailed should I expect a home renovation quote to be?
In general, a home renovation quote should include a projected timeline, line-item costs for labor and materials, and payment terms. Having these details makes it easier to compare home remodeling quotes and understand why some contractors will charge more than others. If you see something you don’t understand or you are missing something you expected to be there, just ask.
Is a quote that’s too low too good to be true?
Possibly. Unless you are getting a steep friends and family discount, a low quote from a contractor could indicate anything from hidden costs to work shortcuts that you’ll be on the hook for paying later. Whether your quote is too low or too high, it’s your right as the homeowner to ask questions and seek clarification before signing a contract.
How many home renovation quotes should I get before hiring a contractor?
It’s always a good idea to gather two or three quotes to give you an idea of the going rate for the project and materials. Keep in mind that different materials and techniques will affect the price, so be sure that you’re comparing apples to apples when evaluating renovation quotes before making a final decision on a contractor.
Is it OK to get a verbal quote?
No. It’s one thing to get a verbal estimate, but unless you get a quote and a contract in writing from your home pro, you won’t be able to enforce any price or work plan previously discussed.
