Renovation quote comparison checklist

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Same scope

• Every contractor priced the same written scope: drawings or a scope sheet listing rooms, square footage, finishes and what is excluded.
• Allowances (cabinets, tile, fixtures, flooring) are shown as dollar amounts, and I know whether they include installation and tax.
• Demolition, disposal, protection of the rest of the house and final cleaning are included or clearly excluded.
• Each quote says who obtains the building permit and whether permit fees, drawings and engineering are included.

Price and tax

• The price is shown before tax, with GST/HST (and QST or PST where it applies) as separate lines and the contractor's GST/HST number on the quote.
• The quote says whether the price is fixed, cost-plus or time and materials, and how changes will be priced.
• The deposit is modest and the payment schedule is tied to completed stages of work, not dates.
• The payment schedule leaves room for the statutory holdback where my province's lien act requires one.

Contractor checks

• I have the full legal business name, address and phone number, and they match the name on the contract.
• Where a licence is required (RBQ in Quebec, Alberta's prepaid contracting licence, some municipal licences), I checked it on the official register.
• I have a current certificate of liability insurance and a workers' compensation clearance or status check where my province offers one.
• I asked who the main subcontractors are (plumbing, electrical, HVAC) and whether they hold the required trade licences or certifications.

Timing and warranty

• The quote gives a start date, an estimated duration and what happens if work is delayed.
• The written warranty on workmanship states its length and what it covers, separately from manufacturer warranties.
• I know how long each quote is valid and whether material prices are locked in.