The estimate is where trust is won or lost. A vague one-page number is a red flag; a clear, itemized scope is the sign of a contractor who plans to keep their word.
A renovation estimate is really a promise about scope, schedule, and price. The more specific it is, the safer you are — because the things left unsaid are exactly where surprise costs hide.
Look for a written, line-itemized projected scope of work: demolition, materials, labor, and the specific products or allowances for each room. It should state the timeline, the payment schedule tied to milestones, what permits are included, and how change orders are handled in writing before any extra work happens. Your contractor's license number and proof of insurance belong right on the document.
Be cautious of bids that are dramatically lower than the rest, demands for large up-front deposits, "we'll figure out the details later," and any reluctance to put the scope in writing. Cheap and vague almost always becomes expensive and contentious.
Our promise is simple: a detailed written estimate up front, the price in the contract before you sign, and no payment for work we haven't earned. That's the whole point of doing this honestly.