How to compare contractor quotes: 7 points to check

For any significant job, getting several written quotes is the best way to gauge the price and choose the company. But you have to compare documents that describe the same work: a lower quote that leaves out demolition or finishing is not really the cheapest one.

1. A written, detailed quote

A good quote describes the work, the materials (brand, model or grade), the quantities and what is not included. A single lump sum with no detail cannot be compared. If a quote leaves out a step (demolition, debris disposal, finishing), ask for it in writing. To make comparison easier, send every company the same project description.

2. The RBQ licence number

It must appear on the quote. Check it: the licence must be active and its subclasses must cover your work. Make sure the company that signs is the one that holds the licence (see checking an RBQ licence).

3. The schedule

Start date, expected length, stages. A serious company can tell you when the work starts, how long it will take and what could delay it (material deliveries, permits, weather).

4. Payment terms

Prefer payments tied to the progress of the work, with a final payment at the end once the work has been checked. Be wary of a large deposit required before work starts, especially in cash. If subcontractors are involved, also read our guide on the legal construction hypothec.

5. Warranties and insurance

Ask what warranty covers the workmanship and for how long, on top of the manufacturer’s warranty on materials. Also ask for proof of liability insurance.

6. Permits

Many jobs need a municipal permit. Put in writing who applies for it, who pays for it and what happens if it is delayed.

7. Changes along the way

Any change to the contract (added work, a different material) should be written down and priced before it is done. A quote that sets an hourly rate or unit price for surprises is easier to compare than a verbal promise.

Quotes and permits in Montréal: what the borough will ask for

In Montréal, the quote also serves for the permit. For interior work that affects walls, foundations or the division of rooms, the documents the borough asks for include a quote or cost estimate, taxes included, along with scale drawings (City page Renovate the interior of a building). So pick a quote detailed enough to be filed as it is.

Two more points from the City’s page Rénovations : quoi faire avant, pendant et après (in French, updated June 25, 2025) deserve a line in the quote: a dumpster or scaffolding placed on the street, sidewalk or lane needs a temporary permit to occupy the public domain, and the work permit must be posted, visible from the street, for the whole job. In Brossard, the City offers an architecture advisory service before you file a renovation or extension project (page Travaux majeurs et transformations, in French). To collect prices you can compare, see renovation companies in Brossard, those in Rosemont–La Petite-Patrie or licensed companies in Longueuil.

Warning signs

• A price far below the others with no explanation.
• No licence number, no business address.
• Pressure to sign right away.
• A contract signed at your home after a sales visit: the Consumer Protection Act has special rules for these, including a period to cancel (see door-to-door sales). Check with the Office de la protection du consommateur.

Before you sign, print our checklist. To gather prices for the same project, you can describe your project once and get quotes.

Check a licence