Free for one project
Compare your bids, free.
Two or three contractor bids, and none of them line up. Send them to us. We read each one into the same seventeen lines, mark what it states, what it leaves unclear, and what it does not mention, and give you the questions to ask each bidder. We never rank the bids and we never judge the price.
This compares contractor scopes. It never compares insurance coverage, and we do not read insurance paperwork.
You get the comparison back by email within one business day.
Each line gets one of three marks
- ✓
States it
The estimate says what it is and how much. You can hold the bidder to it.
- ?
Leaves it unclear
The line is there but the words do not pin it down: "as needed", "to code", "if required", no quantity, no brand.
- –
Does not mention it
The line is missing. That is not always a problem, but it is always a question.
How it works
Four steps, one business day
- 1
Send two or three contractor estimates
PDF or a clear photo of each page. Roofing, siding, windows or gutters. One project per request; a job with two trades is one project. Contractor estimates only; we do not read insurance paperwork.
- 2
We lay them side by side
Every estimate is read into the same seventeen lines for its trade: eleven every trade shares, six of its own. A job with two trades gets both sets of trade lines. The same thing sits in the same row.
- 3
Each line gets a mark
States it, leaves it unclear, or does not mention it. Nothing is ranked and nothing is scored.
- 4
You get the questions
A printed list of what to ask each bidder, line by line, so every estimate can be made complete before you compare price.
The seventeen lines
The same thing in the same row, every time
Built from the Bid Comparison Sheet in Guide 2: Bids, Estimates and Scopes of Work. A low bid is usually a short scope. Laying the bids out this way makes the short scope visible without anyone saying a word.
Eleven lines are on every bid, any trade. Six belong to the trade: pick one to see them. A job with two trades gets both sets.
Get your trade's 17 lines as a one-page download, free- 01What comes off, and how many layers
- 02Hidden damage allowance (the price for rot or bad decking found underneath)
- 03Ice and water barrier
- 04Underlayment
- 05Drip edge, starter and ridge cap
- 06Ventilation, with the numbers
- 07Flashing and kick-outs
- 08Gutters: detach and reset, or replace
- 09Materials: brand and product line
- 10Permits
- 11Cleanup and disposal
- 12Workmanship warranty
- 13Manufacturer warranty tier
- 14Payment schedule
- 15Lien waivers (at the end only)
- 16Start window
- 17Exclusions
The six roofing lines. The other eleven are on every bid, any trade.
- 01What comes off, and how many layers
- 02Hidden damage allowance (the price for rot or bad decking found underneath)
- 03Weather barrier (house wrap) and taping
- 04Insulation board, if any
- 05Window and door flashing and trim
- 06Kick-outs and roof-to-wall flashing
- 07Corners, soffit and fascia
- 08Detach and reset (lights, dish, spigots, gutters)
- 09Materials: brand and product line
- 10Permits
- 11Cleanup and disposal
- 12Workmanship warranty
- 13Manufacturer warranty tier
- 14Payment schedule
- 15Lien waivers (at the end only)
- 16Start window
- 17Exclusions
The six siding lines. The other eleven are on every bid, any trade.
- 01What comes off, and how many layers
- 02Hidden damage allowance (the price for rot or bad decking found underneath)
- 03Window list: count, sizes, which openings
- 04Full-frame or insert
- 05Glass package, with the numbers
- 06Flashing, sill pan, and foam around the frame
- 07Interior trim and exterior capping
- 08Lead-safe work if the house is pre-1978
- 09Materials: brand and product line
- 10Permits
- 11Cleanup and disposal
- 12Workmanship warranty
- 13Manufacturer warranty tier
- 14Payment schedule
- 15Lien waivers (at the end only)
- 16Start window
- 17Exclusions
The six window lines. The other eleven are on every bid, any trade.
- 01What comes off, and how many layers
- 02Hidden damage allowance (the price for rot or bad decking found underneath)
- 03Size and material (5 or 6 inch, gauge)
- 04Seamless, and total feet
- 05Downspouts: count, size, length
- 06Hangers: type and spacing
- 07Guards, if any
- 08Fascia and drip edge repair
- 09Materials: brand and product line
- 10Permits
- 11Cleanup and disposal
- 12Workmanship warranty
- 13Manufacturer warranty tier
- 14Payment schedule
- 15Lien waivers (at the end only)
- 16Start window
- 17Exclusions
The six gutter lines. The other eleven are on every bid, any trade.
Send my bids
Up to three files. PDF or a clear photo.
One project per request. If a bid is several pages, a single PDF is best; photos of each page work too. You get the comparison back by email within one business day.
We use your bids only to build your comparison and to show you contractors who serve your town. We never send any contractor another contractor's name, bid, or price. No contractor hears from us unless you click to ask them to get in touch.
Please read
This is a reading of what each estimate says and does not say. It is not construction, legal, or insurance advice, an inspection, or a recommendation. It does not choose a contractor or guarantee price, code compliance, workmanship, or warranty coverage. Estimates can be misread. Confirm every item with the bidder.
After your free comparison · optional
Want Jason to walk you through your bids?
A private fifteen-minute recorded walkthrough of your bids: which lines each one answered, which are not stated, and the questions to ask. $179. Back within two business days.
It never ranks bids, never names a contractor to hire, and never touches insurance coverage.