[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":81},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-compare-contractor-estimates-en-US":3},{"guide":4,"related":62},{"title":5,"seoTitle":6,"description":7,"summary":8,"sections":9,"faq":34,"cta":41,"date":43,"updated":44,"service":45,"order":46,"sources":47,"slug":60,"locale":61},"How to compare contractor estimates","How to Compare Contractor Estimates","A practical checklist for comparing renovation and electrical quotes in New York: scope, allowances, exclusions, permits, payments, license and insurance.","Compare estimates line by line on the same scope. Check what is excluded, who files permits, how payments are scheduled, and whether the contractor is licensed and insured. The lowest price often omits items.",[10,14,23,30],{"heading":11,"paragraphs":12},"Compare estimates on the same scope",[13],"Give every contractor the same description, photos and measurements. If one estimate is much lower, look for what is missing before assuming it is a better deal.",{"heading":15,"list":16},"What a complete estimate includes",[17,18,19,20,21,22],"Work broken into clear line items","Allowances, with amounts, for items you have not yet selected","What is not included, in writing","Who files and pays for [permits and inspections](\u002Fguides\u002Fnyc-renovation-permits)","Expected start date and duration","Payment schedule tied to progress",{"heading":24,"list":25},"Verify the contractor",[26,27,28,29],"[NYC Home Improvement Contractor license from DCWP](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nyc.gov\u002Fsite\u002Fdca\u002Fconsumers\u002Fcheck-license.page) for home and apartment work, searchable online","[Master electrician or master plumber license](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nyc.gov\u002Fsite\u002Fbuildings\u002Fproperty-or-business-owner\u002Fknow-your-construction-professional.page) for electrical or plumbing work","Certificate of insurance sent directly by the contractor's insurance broker or agent","A contract in writing before work or large payments",{"heading":31,"paragraphs":32},"Payments and changes",[33],"New York State law sets [requirements for home improvement contracts](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nysenate.gov\u002Flegislation\u002Flaws\u002FGBS\u002F771), including how a deposit must be protected. Ask each contractor how the deposit will be held. Any change during the job should be priced and signed before the additional work is done. If the work is for a rental or business property, ask for a Form W-9 before the first payment; work done only on the home you live in does not call for a Form 1099-NEC, but if you rent out part of the building or run a business from it, ask your CPA. Our guide explains [the 2026 rules](\u002Fguides\u002Fcontractor-1099-nec-w9-2026).",[35,38],{"q":36,"a":37},"How many estimates should I get?","Two or three estimates for the same scope are usually sufficient.",{"q":39,"a":40},"Is a verbal quote enough?","No. The scope, price and payment terms should be in writing before work starts.",{"text":42},"Send the scope you gave the other contractors, with photographs and measurements of the space. You receive, at no charge, a [written estimate for the same scope](\u002Fservices\u002Frenovation), itemized with allowances, exclusions and permits so it can be compared line by line.","2026-10-24","2026-10-26","renovation",10,[48,52,56],{"title":49,"url":50,"publisher":51},"Check License","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nyc.gov\u002Fsite\u002Fdca\u002Fconsumers\u002Fcheck-license.page","NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection",{"title":53,"url":54,"publisher":55},"Know Your Construction Professional","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nyc.gov\u002Fsite\u002Fbuildings\u002Fproperty-or-business-owner\u002Fknow-your-construction-professional.page","NYC Department of Buildings",{"title":57,"url":58,"publisher":59},"General Business Law § 771: Home improvement contract provisions","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nysenate.gov\u002Flegislation\u002Flaws\u002FGBS\u002F771","New York State Senate","compare-contractor-estimates","en-US",[63,68,72,77],{"slug":64,"title":65,"description":66,"service":45,"date":43,"updated":67},"contractor-vs-diy","When hiring a contractor costs less than doing it yourself","Why hiring a licensed contractor in NYC or Long Island can cost less than DIY once trade pricing, rework and permits are counted.","2026-10-25",{"slug":69,"title":70,"description":71,"service":45,"date":44,"updated":44},"home-improvements-taxes-when-you-sell","Which Home Improvements Reduce Your Taxes When You Sell?","How capital improvements, energy credits and utility rebates change a New York home's cost basis and the taxable gain above the $250,000 \u002F $500,000 home sale exclusion.",{"slug":73,"title":74,"description":75,"service":76,"date":43,"updated":67},"coop-condo-renovation","Alteration agreements and board approval for co-op and condo renovations","What NYC co-op and condo boards usually ask for before a renovation: alteration agreement, drawings, insurance, work hours, deposits and wet-over-dry rules.","kitchen",{"slug":78,"title":79,"description":80,"service":76,"date":43,"updated":67},"kitchen-bathroom-planning","Planning a kitchen or bathroom renovation in NYC","Decisions to make before you get estimates: scope, layout, electrical capacity, ventilation, waterproofing, lead times and budget contingency.",1793066401282]