Is my contractor quote too high?

The short answer

A quote is worth questioning when it sits more than about 30 percent above the expected range for the same scope in your city. Below that, differences usually come from scope, materials or warranty rather than overcharging. Quotes for identical work commonly vary 30 to 60 percent between honest contractors, so a higher number is not proof of a problem, and a much lower one deserves the same scrutiny.

Step 1: Find the expected range for your city

Prices are local. Roofer wages run from about $25 an hour in Atlantic Canada to $37 in Québec, and Vancouver labour sits 20 to 30 percent above the national average. A fair price in Winnipeg is a bargain in Toronto. Use a reference range built for your city and the month of work, not a national average from a blog.

Step 2: Separate scope from price

Most large gaps are scope. One roofing quote removes two layers and replaces six sheets of decking; another assumes one layer and no decking. One kitchen quote includes appliances and design drawings; another does not. Normalize every quote to the same scope before comparing totals.

• Material grade: architectural versus premium shingles, stock versus custom cabinets, double versus triple pane.
• Inclusions: permits, disposal, trim and capping, fixtures, appliances.
• Extras: extended warranties, maintenance plans, project management fees.
• Hidden conditions: how rot, mould or bad wiring will be priced if found.

Step 3: Look for lines that match nothing

A line such as "project management", "site supervision" or "administration" that is not tied to any physical work is the most common place for padding. It is not always illegitimate, but it should be explained. Ask what it covers and whether it is already inside the labour rate.

Step 4: Check the warranty and the paperwork

A higher quote from a licensed, insured contractor with a written ten-year workmanship warranty can be the better deal. Ask for the WSIB or WorkSafe clearance, liability insurance, and the warranty in writing. A quote that pressures you to sign within 24 hours is a signal in itself.

Step 5: Get an independent second opinion

QuoteSaver reads your quote line by line, prices the same scope for your city from published Canadian cost data and government wage statistics, and tells you the gap in dollars. It is paid for by you, not the contractor, so the answer only has to be right for you.