← Contractor Quote AuditorWhat to check on the estimate
- What the deposit purchases
- Special-order or custom material justification
- Refund conditions in writing
- Traceable payment method with receipt
- Committed start date in exchange
- Balance schedule tied to milestones
Questions worth asking
- What exactly does this deposit pay for?
- Are materials being special-ordered or custom-made?
- Under what conditions is any of it refundable?
- Can I pay by card or check and get a written receipt?
- What start date am I securing with this?
- How is the remaining balance scheduled?
Run your own quote
Paste or upload the estimate. The free scan lists the sections it found, the sections that look missing or unclear, and a question list you can send to the contractor. It does not tell you whether a price is fair, because that is not something a document review can answer.
Open the free scanSee a sample reportAll sample reportsFrequently asked
Is there a legal limit on deposits?
Some jurisdictions regulate it, many do not. That is a question for your local consumer-protection office, not for us.
What is a reasonable compromise?
Paying for named materials directly, or milestone draws, keeps money aligned with delivered value.
Free checklists
Printable checklists you can take into the conversation.
Free checklistsEducational checklist only. Not legal, engineering, pricing, contractor-vetting, or building-code advice. This does not decide whether a price is fair or which contractor to hire. Verify everything with your own licensed professional and your local building department.
Independent tool. No contractor marketplace, no lead selling, no referral fees. Payment is not enabled, so nothing on this site can charge you.