Hiring a contractor in the US means navigating rules that change at every state line: licensing is done by state boards, some states cap deposits on home-improvement work, sales tax treatment differs per state, and an unpaid subcontractor can put a mechanic's lien on your home. The bids themselves don't make it easier — some itemize labor and materials, others quote one lump sum with the details in fine print. We independently review your quote or bid: the scope, the exclusions, the change-order terms, the payment schedule and the warranty language, and tell you exactly what to clarify before you sign. You pay in US dollars, and your report is in plain English.
What do we check?
- ✓ Price breakdown — is every item specified or only roughly estimated?
- ✓ Scope — what is and isn't included in this quote?
- ✓ Included / excluded — VAT, materials, transport, waste removal?
- ✓ Extra work — how and when is it communicated and approved?
- ✓ Warranty — on labour and materials, for how long and under what conditions?
- ✓ Schedule — is the completion date binding or only indicative?
- ✓ Payment — are instalments tied to progress or set arbitrarily?
- ✓ Terms — what are the cancellation and liability clauses?
- ✓ Missing information — what isn't stated but should have been?
- ✓ Questions for the supplier — concrete points to clarify.
Common risks
- ⚠ Lump-sum bids without a breakdown of labor, materials and permits
- ⚠ Change-order terms missing — the most common source of budget overruns
- ⚠ Deposit or payment schedule running ahead of the work — note that some states cap home-improvement deposits
- ⚠ Warranty wording that covers the product but not the workmanship
- ⚠ Exclusions hidden in fine print: haul-away, disposal, site protection, code upgrades required at inspection
- ⚠ License, general liability and workers' comp not verifiable from the bid — without workers' comp, a jobsite injury can become your problem
- ⚠ No lien-release process — if the contractor doesn't pay subs or suppliers, a mechanic's lien can be filed against your property
- ⚠ Storm-chaser offers after hail or hurricanes: door-knocking crews pushing insurance-claim roof work under time pressure
- ⚠ Sales tax treatment unclear — whether tax applies to labor and materials differs by state
Example questions for your supplier
After our analysis we send you concrete questions to put to the supplier. For example:
- 1 "Is every major line item broken out, or is this a lump-sum bid?"
- 2 "How are change orders priced and approved — in writing, before the work?"
- 3 "Does the payment schedule match project milestones, or does it run ahead of the work?"
- 4 "Can you provide certificates of insurance — general liability and workers' comp — and your license number for my state?"
- 5 "How do you handle lien releases from your subcontractors and suppliers?"
- 6 "Which permits and code upgrades are included, and who pulls them?"
- 7 "What exactly does the warranty cover: workmanship, materials, or both — and for how long?"
Upload your quote
Receive a clear report within 24 hours with findings, risks and concrete recommendations. No subscription, no hidden costs.
QuoteChecker reviews the document you upload. We do not verify state licensing boards; always confirm your contractor's license and insurance independently.