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How to Get Multiple Contractor Quotes in Canada
Why three quotes is the usual rule, how to ask for them, and how to make them comparable.
One quote tells you what one contractor wants to charge. It doesn't tell you whether that's normal. Getting a few quotes for the same job is the simplest way to find out what the work really costs where you live, and to spot the contractor who's either padding the price or missing half the job.
Here's how to ask for quotes so they come back in a form you can actually compare, and what to look at once they arrive.
Why three quotes is the common rule
Two quotes can disagree and leave you guessing which is closer to normal. Three usually show a pattern: two land near each other and one sits higher or lower. That pattern is what you're after.
More than four rarely helps on a typical home repair. It eats your time with site visits, and good contractors are less keen to quote when they can tell they're one of eight.
Describe the job the same way to everyone
Quotes only compare well when every contractor is pricing the same work. Write a short description before you contact anyone: what's wrong or what you want done, rough measurements, the age of the house if it matters, and any deadline.
Add photos. A picture of the electrical panel, the leak under the sink or the damaged shingles saves a lot of back and forth, and some contractors can give a rough range before they visit.
- What the problem is, or what the finished job should look like
- Where in the house it is and how easy it is to reach
- Measurements, model numbers or photos
- When you need it done
Where to find contractors to quote
Ask neighbours and friends who've had similar work done recently. Check that a contractor holds any provincial licence their trade requires, such as an electrical contractor licence, and ask for proof of liability insurance.
You can also post the job once on CentFix and let local pros respond, instead of calling each company separately. Homeowners don't pay CentFix to post a project or receive quotes, and there's no obligation to hire anyone.
What to compare besides the total
The bottom line is the last thing to look at. First check that each quote covers the same scope. One roofer might include new flashing and disposal while another leaves both out.
- Materials: brand, grade and quantity
- Labour and how long the job should take
- Permits and inspections, and who arranges them
- Cleanup and disposal
- Warranty on workmanship, in writing
- Deposit size and when the rest is due
Warning signs in a quote
Be careful with a quote that's much lower than the others with no clear reason, a contractor who wants most of the money upfront, or one who'd rather skip the permit. A verbal price with nothing in writing isn't a quote you can hold anyone to.
If one quote is much higher, ask why. Sometimes that contractor spotted something the others missed, like rot under the subfloor or an undersized electrical service. That's worth knowing even if you hire someone else.
Check prices against published ranges
Before the quotes come in, look up what similar work usually costs in Canada. Our cost guides collect published Canadian price ranges with the source named beside each figure, so you'll know whether a quote is in the normal range.
Common questions
No. Contractors expect homeowners to compare prices on most jobs. Just be upfront that you're getting a few quotes, and let the others know once you've decided.
Most contractors quote standard repairs at no charge. Some charge for a diagnostic visit or a detailed design, often credited back if you hire them. Ask before they come out.
Simple repairs can often be quoted within a few days. Larger renovations that need measurements or drawings can take longer. Ask each contractor when to expect it.