For a planned project, three written estimates can be a useful starting target. The purpose is to understand your options and the work being proposed, not to collect prices indefinitely.
Why more than one helps
The Federal Trade Commission’s home-repair guidance recommends getting three written estimates. Multiple proposals can reveal differences in scope, assumptions, and the way a company approaches your project.
For California homeowners, the Contractors State License Board similarly recommends at least three written bids based on identical plans, specifications, and scope.
Make each estimate worth getting
Prepare a short project description before contacting companies. Explain the problem, the work you are considering, the location, and any important timing constraints. Share the same information with each company.
Ask in advance whether the estimate is free, whether it includes a site visit, and what you will receive. A short price indication and a detailed project proposal serve different purposes.
Stop counting and start comparing
When you receive the estimates, mark each major difference. Is one company proposing repair while another recommends replacement? Is a material choice fixed in one proposal and undecided in another? Does one include work the others exclude?
Those differences may be reasonable. Ask for an explanation and decide whether you want the proposals revised around the same scope.
Know when another conversation helps
An additional estimate may be useful if the existing proposals leave a major question unanswered. Another conversation with a current bidder may be more useful if you simply need clarification.
There is no universal number that guarantees a good outcome. Urgency, project complexity, and local availability affect your options. Aim for enough information to explain why your selected company and proposal fit the work you need.
Use one brief, then track the differences
A useful project brief fits on a page: describe the property, the problem or proposed improvement, the outcome you want, and the timing constraints. Attach the same available drawings, photographs, and product information for every company. Record what each estimator actually reviewed.
After the visits, make a list of differences in proposed work. A low total may describe a smaller project; a high total may include work you did not request. Ask for the reasoning behind those choices. You need enough detail to decide which scope fits your needs.
Write down the unresolved issue before arranging another visit. Is the uncertainty about diagnosis, scope, material choice, or price for an agreed scope? Share that question with the next company so the conversation adds information.
Once the scope is clear, compare the written proposals with our quote-review guide. Before committing, check the relevant credentials against the company you will actually hire.
Home Review Board publishes practical guides and source-grounded news. Project requirements depend on the property and location. Read our research approach.