Contractor Bid Review Checklist
Use this checklist before signing a contractor estimate, proposal, or renovation contract.
The goal is to make sure you understand the number, the work behind the number, and the items that can still change.
- Contractor legal name
- License number where required
- Project address
- Clear scope of work
- Line-item pricing
- Contract total
- Arithmetic reconciliation
- Demolition
- Disposal
- Permit responsibility
- Trade responsibilities
- Material specifications
- Allowances
- Owner-supplied materials
- Exclusions
- Payment schedule
- Change-order process
- Schedule
- Warranty
- Cleanup and closeout
The three questions to answer before signing
What exactly am I buying?
What can still increase the price?
What remains unresolved?
If the bid does not answer those three questions, write the questions down and get clarification before the contract is signed.
Sources
Learn How Contractor Bid Review Works · Bid Defense Memo
Understand the contractor bid before you sign
CostCheckGPT is being built to help homeowners and investors understand contractor bids before signing.
CostCheckGPT is currently in development. Join early access to be notified when contractor bid review opens.
Before choosing on price, use How to Compare Contractor Bids.
Learn more about review a contractor bid before signing as part of understanding the bid before signing.