01Start here: what matters most
The two estimates are close in total price, but they do not describe the same rebuild. The practical question is what each contractor should add, expand, preserve, or explain so the final scope is complete.
Key takeaways
Where the visible cost differences concentrate
These are line-item category bases before tax, overhead, and profit. A difference may reflect different scope, grouping, material grade, or design.
02Compare the meaningful differences
Search by room, material, or system. Filter by contractor or topic, then open a row to see the current basis, the suggested fill-out, financial context, and source pages.
03Key facts to use when reviewing the quotes
These are the homeowner’s confirmed conditions and the few items that still need a field or material-boundary check.
04Hidden systems and specialty items
These items are easy to lose inside a main electrical, drywall, or finish allowance. Ask both contractors to show them as included, owner-supplied, specialist/vendor allowance, or documented exclusion.
| Scope element | Why visibility matters | What both contractors should show |
|---|
05How to review this with the contractors
Lock the facts
Use the confirmed dimensions and conditions first: 8-foot garage ceiling, 10-foot office ceiling, larger patio-door openings, larger bath/kitchen measurements, two primary-bath sinks, premium carpet and pad, and affected lanai/exterior/pool areas.
Ask for complete assemblies
For each high-priority row, ask for the full assembly—not just the headline item: supporting plumbing, electrical, prep, waterproofing, trim, testing, permits, vendor coordination, and finish restoration.
Review financial exposure
Compare the visible line/category basis and the directional spread. Do not add every row together. Where a scope is not separately priced, require a distinct line item or allowance before treating it as included.
Supporting reports and alternate view
The interactive page is the easiest place to start. The workbook and PDFs preserve the detailed evidence, raw parsed line items, flooring validation, measurement clarifications, and contractor-specific opportunity sheets. The original comparison page remains available unchanged.