Renovation Guides
Should you get three quotes?
Whether you need three contractor quotes for a Florida remodel, when one or two are enough, and how to make every quote count, especially after a storm.
Renovation Guides
Why Is One Contractor Quote So Much Cheaper?
Why remodeling quotes for the same Florida project can differ by thousands, what the cheapest bid often leaves out, and how to compare quotes line by line.
Last updated: 1 min readBy the Florida Renovation Guide editorial teamTopic: Permits & Contractor Guides
The short answer
- Big differences between quotes usually come from different scopes, products or assumptions, not just different profit margins.
- The cheapest quote often leaves out permits, product approvals, disposal, decking or other items that show up later as change orders.
- Ask every contractor to price the same scope, and compare quotes line by line.
- A license, insurance and a complete written contract matter more than a lower number.
On this page
You ask three contractors to price the same project and get numbers thousands of dollars apart. That's normal, and it usually tells you more about what's in each quote than about who's honest.
The usual reasons quotes differ
- Different scope. One quote includes demolition, disposal, permits and cleanup; another doesn't.
- Different products. An entry-level impact window versus a premium line, a standard shingle versus an impact-rated one, a thin vinyl fence versus a reinforced system.
- Different assumptions about hidden conditions. One roofer includes a few sheets of decking; another prices it only as an extra.
- Licensing and insurance. Licensed contractors with liability insurance and workers' compensation have real costs that unlicensed operators avoid.
- Permits and code work. Doing the work to code, with permits, inspections and Florida's required upgrades, takes time and money.
- Workload. A busy contractor may price high; a slow one may price low to fill the schedule.
- Warranty. Longer workmanship warranties cost money to back.
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What's often missing from the cheapest quote
- permits, product approvals and engineering
- the Notice of Commencement and lien releases
- disposal and dumpster fees
- prep work, such as stucco repair before painting or base preparation under pavers
- hurricane connectors and code-required upgrades
- unit prices for hidden damage, which come back as change orders
How to compare quotes
- Give every contractor the same written scope, with photos and measurements.
- Ask for itemized quotes listing products, quantities and what's excluded.
- Put the quotes side by side and mark what's missing from each.
- Ask the low bidder whether it includes the missing items, and the high bidder what they do differently.
- Check each contractor's license and insurance; see how to check a contractor.
- Read the contract terms, not just the price; see the contract checklist.
For how many quotes you need, see should you get three quotes?. For surprises after you sign, read change orders and hidden damage.
Frequently asked questions
Should I always pick the middle quote?
Not automatically. Pick the quote that covers the full scope with clear terms, from a licensed and insured contractor you trust. That may be the middle quote, but it doesn't have to be.
Can I ask a contractor to match a lower price?
You can ask, but first make sure the quotes cover the same work. Asking a contractor to cut the price without cutting scope often leads to cut corners or change orders later.
Why are some contractors so expensive?
Higher quotes can reflect better products, more experienced crews, proper permits and insurance, a stronger warranty, or simply a busy schedule. Ask what's included and what they do differently.
Sources and further reading
- Section 489.1425, recovery fund notice (The Florida Senate)
- Workers' compensation coverage requirements (Florida Division of Workers' Compensation)
We summarize official information in our own words and link to the source. Requirements can change, so confirm details with the source before relying on them. Our editorial standards
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