To show what the checker does with a real-looking quote, we wrote a sample one for a heat pump replacement and ran it through. The company is made up; the lines are typical of what homeowners receive.
The quote
- Letterhead with the contractor licence number
- Supply and install a 3-ton, 16 SEER2 heat pump with matching air handler, model numbers listed: $9,850
- New line set and refrigerant lines: $600
- Electrical disconnect and breaker upgrade: $450
- Removal and disposal of old equipment: $250
- Programmable thermostat: $300
- Permit and inspection fees: included
- Total: $11,450. 50% deposit due at signing. 10-year parts and 1-year labor warranty.
- “This price is valid if signed today. Cash payment receives a 5% discount.”
What the checker found
Completeness: 62 out of 100, “Some gaps”. Nine of the 14 scope items are written down: permit, itemized pricing, model numbers, line set, electrical work, licence number, warranty terms, removal of the old unit and the thermostat. Five are missing, and three of them are among the most important:
- How the size was chosen, such as a load calculation (12 points)
- What happens to the ductwork (10 points)
- Start-up and commissioning checks (10 points)
- The condensate drain and overflow safety switch (4 points)
- A pad or mounting for the outdoor unit (2 points)
Warning signs. Two high: no sizing method, and pressure to sign today. One medium: a discount for paying cash. The 50% deposit is shown as information, because deposit rules differ by state. In California, for example, it would be above the legal limit of $1,000 or 10% of the price.
The questions it suggested
- How was the system size determined? Can I see the load calculation?
- What will be done about the existing ducts? Is any testing or sealing included?
- Which start-up checks do you perform and document?
- Is a new drain line and overflow safety switch included?
- Is a new pad or mounting included?
- Can you hold this quote in writing for a few days?
- Can the payments follow delivery, installation and inspection?
- What changes if I pay by card or check?
What the score does not say
A 62 does not mean the contractor is bad or the price is wrong. It means the quote leaves important work unwritten. Get the answers in writing, and the same quote could score in the 90s. That is also the point where you can compare it fairly with another quote for the same job.
Want to see it yourself? Open the checker with a sample quote, or upload your own.