"Get three quotes." It's the most common piece of advice given to homeowners hiring contractors — and it's good advice. But it's incomplete. Getting three quotes only helps you if you know how to read them, compare them fairly, and recognize when one of them is designed to win the job rather than reflect the actual cost.

This guide walks you through the entire quote process: how to request quotes, what a good quote includes, how to compare them, and how to spot the lowball tactics that lead to budget overruns and disputes.

It's common to get three quotes for the same job and see a 30–50% spread between the lowest and highest. That spread isn't random — it usually reflects one or more of these factors:

• Different material grades — one contractor quotes builder-grade, another quotes premium
• Different scope assumptions — one includes permit fees, another doesn't
• Labor cost differences — experienced crews cost more than inexperienced ones
• Overhead differences — established companies have higher overhead than one-person operations
• Intentional lowballing — a contractor bids low to win the job, then adds change orders

Understanding why quotes differ is the first step to comparing them accurately.

A legitimate written quote should contain all of the following:

Not "paint the interior" but "paint all walls and ceilings in 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, kitchen, living room, and hallway — two coats, including primer on new drywall patches."

Vague scope is how disputes start. If the quote doesn't specify exactly what's included, assume it isn't.

"Paint" is not enough. The quote should specify the brand, product line, and sheen level (e.g., "Sherwin-Williams Emerald Interior, eggshell finish"). The difference between a $25/gallon paint and a $75/gallon paint is significant — and if the quote doesn't specify, you may not get what you're expecting.

How many workers, for how many days? This helps you evaluate whether the timeline is realistic and whether the labor cost is reasonable.

Many projects in Arizona require permits — electrical, plumbing, HVAC, structural, and some roofing work. Permit fees should be included in the quote. If they're not, ask why. A contractor who says "we don't pull permits for this type of work" when permits are legally required is a red flag.

A reasonable payment schedule looks like:

• 10–30% deposit at contract signing
• Progress payments tied to project milestones
• Final payment (10–15%) upon completion and your approval

Never pay more than 30% upfront. Never pay the final installment until the work is complete and you're satisfied.

Start date, estimated completion date, and any dependencies (e.g., "subject to material availability"). A contractor who won't commit to a timeline is a contractor who may not show up when expected.

What does the contractor warrant, and for how long? Labor warranties of 1–2 years are standard for most work. Material warranties depend on the manufacturer.

Once you have three quotes, create a simple comparison table. For each quote, note:

Now you're comparing apples to apples. A quote that looks $2,000 cheaper may actually be more expensive once you account for permit fees, inferior materials, or a shorter warranty.

The lowball tactic is one of the most common contractor scams. Here's how it plays out:

1. Contractor submits a quote significantly lower than competitors
2. You hire them based on price
3. Work begins, and "unexpected issues" are discovered
4. Contractor presents change orders — each one seems reasonable in isolation
5. Final cost is 30–50% higher than the original quote

The key to spotting a lowball quote:

• It's vague on scope and materials
• It doesn't include permit fees
• The contractor doesn't ask many questions about the project
• The price is more than 20% below the other quotes without a clear explanation

When you get a quote that's significantly lower, ask the contractor to explain specifically why their price is lower. A legitimate answer might be "we have lower overhead" or "we get better pricing on materials." A vague answer or defensiveness is a red flag.

Before you sign anything, ask each contractor:

1. What's included in this price, and what's not?
2. What happens if you discover additional issues once work begins?
3. Are permit fees included? Who pulls the permits?
4. What materials are you using, and can I see the product specs?
5. What's your warranty on labor and materials?
6. Have you done similar projects in this area recently? Can I see photos or speak to a reference?

A contractor who answers these questions confidently and specifically is a contractor who knows their business. Vague or evasive answers are a signal to keep looking.

The goal isn't to find the cheapest contractor — it's to find the best value. A contractor who charges 15% more but has 200 five-star reviews, pulls permits, uses premium materials, and offers a 2-year labor warranty is almost always a better choice than the lowest bidder.

Think of it this way: if a $500 difference in quotes leads to a $3,000 repair two years later, you didn't save money — you borrowed it.

TrustedPro USA connects homeowners with licensed, reviewed contractors across Arizona. Browse by service:

• Get quotes from plumbers in Phoenix
• Get quotes from electricians in Scottsdale
• Get quotes from roofers in Gilbert
• Get quotes from HVAC contractors in Phoenix
• Get quotes from painters in Scottsdale
• Get quotes from handymen in Gilbert
• Get quotes from landscapers in Phoenix
• Get quotes from cleaners in Scottsdale