Published August 28, 2026
"Free estimate" means very different things depending on who says it. Here is what a real one contains and how to compare two numbers that look far apart.
Estimate, bid, proposal
- Estimate — a good-faith ballpark based on a walkthrough. It can move.
- Bid / fixed-price proposal — a firm number for a defined scope. It should not move unless the scope does.
- Time and materials — hourly plus cost, used when the scope genuinely cannot be defined up front, such as hidden rot.
Get in writing which one you are holding.
What should be on the page
- Scope, room by room or elevation by elevation, in plain language
- Materials by brand, product line, and color/grade — "architectural shingle" is not a spec, "GAF Timberline HDZ, Charcoal" is
- Quantities — squares of roofing, linear feet of fence, square feet of deck
- Tear-out and disposal, stated as included or not
- Permit and inspection fees, and who pulls them
- Unknown-condition rates — the per-sheet price for rotted decking, the per-post price for a failed footing
- Payment schedule tied to milestones
- Timeline with start and substantial completion
- Warranty, split into manufacturer material warranty and contractor labor warranty with a term in years
- License and insurance information
Where cheap bids hide money
- Decking or sheathing replacement priced as an open-ended extra
- "Base prep as needed" on concrete and pavers, with no aggregate depth stated
- Ice-and-water membrane at code minimum only
- Disposal billed separately after the fact
- A material grade downgrade buried in a product line name
How to compare two bids
Line them up on quantities first. If one roof bid says 28 squares and the other says 24, one of them measured wrong, and that difference alone is thousands. Then compare the unknown-condition rates — that is where a low bid becomes the high one.
What we do
We give a written fixed-price proposal with materials specified, per-unit rates for anything hidden, our license number (QC807391), and insurance on request. No pressure to sign the same day, and the estimate does not expire the moment you leave the room.
Want an exact number for your project?
Free on-site estimate across the Twin Cities metro — no pressure, no obligation.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between an estimate and a bid?
An estimate is a good-faith ballpark that can change. A bid or fixed-price proposal is a firm number for a clearly defined scope and should only change if the scope changes.
What should a written estimate include?
Detailed scope, materials by brand and product line, quantities, tear-out and disposal, permit fees, per-unit rates for hidden conditions, payment schedule, timeline, and both material and labor warranties.
Why are two contractor bids so far apart?
Usually quantities or hidden-condition handling. Compare measured quantities first, then the per-unit rates for things like rotted decking or failed footings, which is where a low bid becomes the expensive one.