Free tool · Before you sign
Is My Repair Quote Fair?
Enter the job, your state and the price you were quoted. We compare it with typical US price ranges from our guides, adjusted for your state, check the deposit against state limits, and give you the questions to ask before you sign.
- 309 repairs and projects
- All 50 states + DC
- Deposit limit check
- No sign-up
Check your quote
Red flags: tick anything that applies
Price is only half of the picture. These are the warning signs consumer agencies and state licensing boards tell homeowners to watch for.
No red flags ticked.
Questions to ask before you sign
- What exactly is causing the problem, and how did you confirm it?
- Can you itemize parts, labor, permit and disposal separately?
- Which brand and model of parts or materials will you use?
- Is a permit required, and will you pull it?
- What is your license number, and can I see your insurance certificate?
- What warranty do you give on labor, and what does the manufacturer cover?
- What could change the price once work starts, and will you ask before doing extra work?
- What is the payment schedule, and what is due at completion?
- When will you start and finish, and who will be doing the work?
- Can I talk to two recent customers who had the same job done?
How the checker judges a quote
Each repair uses the typical professional price range from the matching FixHomeCost guide. We adjust that range for your state with a regional multiplier (about 10% lower in the South, 7% lower in the Midwest, 2% higher in the Mountain West, 18% higher in the Northeast and 20% higher on the West Coast), then place your quote on the range:
- Well below the range: ask what's missing. Very low bids can leave out permits, disposal or parts.
- Within the range: in line with typical prices. Compare what's included.
- Above the range: not necessarily wrong. Access, emergency service, premium materials or extra damage can justify it, but ask for the reason in writing.
These ranges are estimates, not quotes. Local prices change with demand and season. See how we research costs.
Deposit limits by state
Most states don't cap home improvement deposits, but some do. These are the best-known limits. Rules have exceptions (for example special-order materials), so check with your state's contractor licensing board.
| State | Deposit limit |
|---|---|
| California | 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less |
| Maryland | One-third of the contract price |
| Massachusetts | One-third of the contract price (more allowed for special-order items) |
| Other states | No general cap. 10%–33% is common. Be wary of paying over half upfront. |
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if a contractor quote is fair?
Compare it with a typical price range for the same job, adjusted for where you live, and with at least two other written quotes. A fair quote is itemized, names the materials and brands, includes permits and cleanup, and explains anything that pushes it above the usual range.
Is the cheapest quote the best one?
Not always. A quote far below the typical range can mean missing items, lower-grade materials, no permit, or a plan to add charges later. Ask the low bidder exactly what is and isn't included before you choose it.
How much deposit should I pay a contractor?
Many homeowners pay 10% to 33% upfront. Some states set a legal limit: California caps most home improvement deposits at 10% of the contract price or $1,000, whichever is less, and Maryland and Massachusetts limit deposits to one-third of the contract price. Paying more than half before work starts is a warning sign unless materials are custom-ordered.
What should a written repair estimate include?
The contractor's legal name, license number and insurance details, a description of the work, the materials and brands, a price for each major item, permit and disposal costs, the payment schedule, the start and finish dates, and the warranty on parts and labor.
Why do quotes for the same repair vary so much?
Labor rates differ by area, contractors price in their overhead and demand, and each one may have seen a different problem or planned a different fix. Differences in materials, warranty length and permits explain most of the gap.
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