A contractor's quote is a contract draft, not a brochure. The spread between a good quote and a misleading one is mostly about what's missing — not what's on the page. These are the line items every homeowner should look for and every pro should be ready to explain.
1. Labor and materials, separated
Lump-sum quotes (“$8,000 for the bathroom”) hide where the cost lives. Ask for labor hours at a stated hourly rate and materials at line-item cost. Two reasons: it makes scope changes priceable mid-project, and it lets you cross-shop materials without re-bidding the whole job.
2. Permit fees as a separate line
Permits cost what the county charges, no markup. A quote that rolls them into “misc.” or pads them by 30% is telling you something. In most Florida counties, plumbing and electrical permits run $150 to $500 — anything materially higher deserves a question.
3. Disposal and dumpster
Demo generates a lot of debris. A typical bathroom remodel needs a 10-yard dumpster, $300-$600 in Florida. Either it's on the quote as a separate line, or the contractor is eating the cost out of margin (in which case you can ask).
4. Contingency or change-order policy
Older homes hide surprises behind the drywall — rotted subfloor, ungrounded wiring, lead-painted trim. A good quote either includes a 10-15% contingency line OR a written change-order policy stating “here's what triggers a written amendment, here's the markup.” A quote with neither is a quote that will balloon mid-project.
5. Payment schedule
For most home jobs, a 30% deposit is standard, with milestone payments after rough-in and final payment after passing inspection. Avoid quotes that ask for >50% upfront for jobs under $20K — the contractor should be cash-flowing the materials, not you.
Red flags
- No license number on the quote (Florida pros are required to list it).
- Cash-only or “handshake” payment terms.
- Doesn't want a written contract beyond the quote itself.
- Won't name the actual person doing the work (subcontractor chain matters).
- Pressure to start tomorrow without permits filed.
A quote you can read line-by-line is a contractor you can hold accountable. A quote you can't is a margin call waiting to happen.