Free 2026 decision tool
Is my contractor quote fair?
You just got a written quote — is it reasonable for your state, project, and material tier? This tool runs your number against our state × project × quality dataset and tells you whether to sign, negotiate, or walk. No email gate.
Your quote
Verdict
WAY BELOW MARKET
At $22,000, your quote is 32% below the typical regional midpoint of $32,500. This is a classic bait-and-switch / storm-chaser pattern — verify the contractor's state license, ask for proof of insurance, and read 2-3 1-star reviews before signing. Real licensed contractors rarely quote this far below market.
Typical regional range
$23,400 – $41,600
Midpoint: $32,500 · Your quote is -32% from midpoint.
Get a free 2nd-opinion quote from a pre-vetted local contractor
A licensed contractor in your state will give you a written 2nd opinion — free — so you can confirm the math before signing. No spam, no sales calls.
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Where this calculator helps
- •You just received a written contractor quote and want a 30-second sanity check before signing or paying a deposit.
- •You're comparing 2–3 bids and need a quick way to spot the outlier (too-good-to-be-true vs. obviously padded).
- •A storm or insurance event left you with a high-pressure roofer pushing same-day signing — run the quote against the regional band first.
- •You're vetting a referral from a friend / neighbor and want to confirm the price isn't "family discount" wishful thinking.
- •You're a real-estate agent helping a buyer scope post-close renovation costs — sanity-check the seller's repair credit math.
FAQ
How is the regional cost band calculated?
We multiply the national-average cost range for your specific project + scope size by your state's labor + materials cost index (e.g. California 1.40×, Mississippi 0.85×), then apply a quality multiplier (budget 1.0×, mid-tier 1.3×, high-end 2.2×). The result is the typical low–high range a licensed contractor would quote in your area for that scope.
My quote came in WAY BELOW the regional band — should I jump on it?
Probably not. A quote 30%+ below typical regional pricing is the #1 red flag for unlicensed contractors, storm-chasers, and bait-and-switch operators. They quote low to win the deposit, then 'discover' issues that double the price mid-project. Verify the contractor's state license (look it up on your state's licensing board), ask for proof of general liability + workers' comp insurance, and read recent 1-star reviews — not just 5-star ones.
My quote is ABOVE the regional band — am I being ripped off?
Not necessarily. Premium materials, complex layouts, tight urban access, or high-demand seasonal periods can legitimately push quotes 15–30% above the typical midpoint. The verdict checks for this: if your quote is in the 15–30% above range, it's flagged as 'Above market' (warning), not 'Way above market' (red flag). Get one more written quote to confirm, and ask the contractor for a line-item breakdown showing where the premium comes from.
What if my project isn't in your project list?
We cover the 11 most-quoted residential project categories (kitchen, bath, flooring, roofing, deck, basement, windows, solar, fence, pool, painting). For niche projects (mudroom build-out, sauna install, in-law-suite add-on), pick the closest match and adjust the size tier to bracket your scope. The verdict's ±15% bands give enough tolerance to be useful even on adjacent projects.
Does this replace getting multiple quotes?
No — this is a 30-second sanity check, not a substitute for due diligence. Industry best practice is still to get 3 written quotes for any project over $5,000, verify each contractor's license + insurance + 5+ recent reviews, and never pay more than a 10–25% deposit. This calculator just tells you whether the quote you have is in the right ballpark before you waste time chasing more.
Why does state matter so much for the quote band?
Labor and materials costs vary 50%+ across US states. A bathroom remodel that costs $18,500 in Texas (state index 1.00) costs ~$24,050 in California (1.40×) and ~$15,725 in Mississippi (0.85×). Our state indices are weighted blends of BLS labor data, RSMeans cost indices, and our own contractor surveys. We update twice yearly — see the /methodology page for full source detail.
Is this calculator free?
Yes — free forever, no email gate to see the verdict. We have an optional 'Get a 2nd-opinion quote' lead-capture at the bottom that connects you with a licensed local contractor in our network, but you're never required to use it.
How this calculator works
Regional range = national base range × state cost index × quality multiplier. Verdict bands: ±15% from midpoint = FAIR; 15–30% = ABOVE/ BELOW market (warning); 30%+ = WAY OFF (red flag). The 30% threshold matches the empirical pattern in our 2026 storm-chaser complaint dataset — quotes 30%+ below typical were unlicensed in 74% of cases.
This calculator is informational only — actual fair price depends on your specific scope of work, site access, permit complexity, and seasonal demand. Always get 3 written quotes and verify state license + insurance before paying any deposit.