1. Do not compare totals until the scopes match.
The cheapest quote can become the most expensive when one contractor includes work another leaves out.
Real project · Client details protected · Hamilton
Three quotes. Three different scopes.
An owner planning a two-unit infill build in Hamilton had contractor quotes that looked comparable at first glance. They were not. Different tax treatment. Different products. Missing installation. Line items at $0.00. Unpriced extras. Work listed as "by others."
Reno Rescue reviewed the quotes before anything was signed and turned them into an apples-to-apples comparison.
No contractor bid. No referral fee. No kickback.
The bottom-line price does not tell you what you are buying.
When scopes differ, the lowest quote can become the most expensive job. The review finds the gaps before they become extras, disputes, or surprises.
3 trades reviewed · 5 scope gaps found · 6 questions sent back in writing
The problem was not the price. It was what the price left out.
The quotes covered similar categories. The scope, assumptions, tax treatment, products, and exclusions were not consistent enough to compare on totals alone.
| What looked normal | What the review found | Why it mattered |
|---|---|---|
| Soffit, fascia and eaves listed at $0.00 | $0.00 did not establish that the work was included | Written confirmation and pricing were needed before signing |
| Misc. flashings shown as an extra | No dollar value attached | An open extra can become a surprise cost after work starts |
| Different siding totals | Different products were being compared | A vinyl quote and an LP SmartSide quote are not the same thing |
| Window pricing | Supply only versus installation and trim scope needed clarification | The cheaper number may exclude labour required to complete the work |
| Tax treatment | HST was not presented consistently | Totals can differ by roughly 13% when tax is handled differently |
$0.00
does not mean free.
One quote showed soffit, fascia and eavestroughs at $0.00. An owner could reasonably read that as included. The review flagged it for written clarification before signing. That is exactly the kind of ambiguity Reno Rescue looks for.
What I did
- Reviewed quotes, scopes and exclusions line by line
- Separated price differences from scope differences
- Flagged open extras, $0.00 lines, "by others" items, tax and product differences
- Prepared specific questions to send back to each contractor
- Kept the decision with the owner rather than recommending a supplier
Questions sent back in writing
- Is the window price supply only, or does it include installation, interior trim and disposal?
- Who supplies and installs the wood roof deck?
- Who cuts openings for vents and plumbing stacks, and what does that cost?
- Provide a firm price for misc. metal flashings instead of an unpriced extra.
- Are soffit, fascia and eavestroughs included at $0.00, or still to be priced?
- Confirm HST, product type and price validity date.
Three rules before signing a contractor quote
2. Close open extras before work starts.
"Extra," "TBD," "$0.00," and "by others" should trigger written questions, not assumptions.
3. If it matters, get it in writing.
A verbal understanding is not a substitute for a clear scope, price and responsibility before signing.
Why independent
Not everyone needs another contractor.
I have spent 20+ years on the construction side of the table. Now I use that experience to help homeowners, landlords, and small builders and developers make better decisions before money gets committed.
I do not want the construction contract. I do not mark up your contractor's work. I do not take referral fees for steering you toward anyone.
You pay me for one thing: an independent construction opinion before you make an expensive decision.
If you are unsure before you spend thousands, get an independent second opinion.