Compare contractor bids
How to compare contractor bids side by side
You have two or three remodel bids. The totals do not match. One is thousands higher. The scopes do not use the same words. Before you sign anything, you need a fair way to line them up.
SmartBidCheck is built for that: the same checklist on every bid, red flags and gaps called out, no scores or rankings, and no lead selling. SmartBidCheck is not affiliated with SmartBid at smartbid.co. That is a different product.
SmartBidCheck is not affiliated with SmartBid (smartbid.co). We compare contractor bids for homeowners. We do not sell or share your project or contact info with contractors.
Why one bid is thousands higher
The gap is usually in the scope, not a secret good deal. Common reasons:
- One bid includes permits and inspections; another never mentions them.
- One includes appliances or final clean; another excludes them in the fine print.
- One uses allowances (a budget that can grow); another prices a fixed product.
- One package lumps several trades into one line; another spells each out.
A higher total can be the more complete bid. A lower total can be missing work you will pay for later. You only know after you compare the same items across every document.
How a homeowner should line up multiple remodel bids
- Get everything in writing. Use a PDF or a clear photo of each page.
- Use one checklist for every bid (permits, demo, cabinets, tile, fixtures, clean, warranty, payment schedule, and the rest).
- For each item, mark whether it is included, an allowance, excluded, not mentioned, or unclear.
- Prefer the bid's own wording over what you remember from a walkthrough.
- Write questions for every "not mentioned" and "needs clarity" before you decide.
You can do this in a spreadsheet. Or upload one to four bids to SmartBidCheck and get the same checklist applied automatically, with source wording you can check.
How to spot what is missing or unclear
Treat silence as a question, not proof the work is free or included.
- Not mentioned: no wording found. Ask whether it applies and who pays.
- Needs clarity: vague, TBD, conflicting, or hard to read. Ask for a written fix.
- Excluded: explicitly left out. Decide if you want that trade added.
- Allowance: provisional budget. Ask what product and what happens on overage.
Kitchen remodels are a good stress test: permits, demo, cabinetry, countertops, tile, plumbing fixtures, light fixtures, appliances, and final clean often diverge across bids even when the totals look close.
Tools that compare contractor bids from PDFs
If you want software instead of a blank spreadsheet, look for tools that:
- Read PDFs or photos of the actual bids
- Use the same checklist for every contractor
- Show included, unclear, or missing in the bid's own words
- Do not score or rank contractors
- Are paid by you, not by contractors through referrals or lead sales
SmartBidCheck does that. Free basic report: side-by-side scope statuses and top red flags. Full report: missing-items list, questions to ask, contract terms as written, a PDF, and a share link.