Put every quote against one scope.
A fair comparison starts with the same rooms, quantities, finish expectations, and site conditions.
Create a comparison sheet with one row for each part of the work. Mark whether each contractor included it, excluded it, used an allowance, or needs clarification.
Compare scope line by line
- Demolition, disposal, and daily cleanup.
- Protection of floors, elevators, corridors, and occupied areas.
- Framing, drywall, waterproofing, flooring, painting, trim, doors, and hardware.
- Plumbing, electrical, HVAC, inspections, and other trade work.
- Material supply, delivery, handling, installation, and waste.
- Cleaning, deficiencies, documentation, and handover.
Understand allowances
An allowance is not a fixed product price. Record what it covers, the assumed quantity, whether tax, delivery, labour, and waste are included, and how the price changes if the final selection differs.
Read assumptions and exclusions
Access hours, parking, elevator bookings, occupied conditions, hidden damage, hazardous materials, permit responsibilities, existing-system capacity, and owner-supplied products can change both price and schedule. A low total with major exclusions may not stay low.
Compare project terms
Review payment milestones, start assumptions, estimated duration, change-order approval, warranty, insurance, WSIB clearance where applicable, subcontractor coordination, and who is authorized to approve extra work.
Resolve gaps before selecting
Send the same written clarification questions to every bidder and ask for the answers to be incorporated into a revised quote. Confirm product brands or performance standards, approximate quantities, permit responsibility, working hours, protection, disposal, and closeout. Do not rely on an important verbal promise that is absent from the final scope.
When one price is materially lower, identify the exact lines creating the difference. It may reflect efficiency, but it may also reflect a missing trade, smaller allowance, different finish standard, or an assumption that transfers cost and coordination back to the owner.