Before the low bid becomes a change order

Check whether the quote actually covers the work.

A contractor quote can look clean because the missing trades are hiding in assumptions, allowances, or exclusions. Mark the trade categories you can see in writing, then see what to ask before signing.

Run Trade Coverage Check Review Before Signing

Trade coverage gap check

Mark what the quote covers in writing.

Project type Quote total

Trade categories visible in the quote

Source detail visible in writing

Trade amounts are broken outThe quote is more than one blended total. Exclusions and by-others items are listedThere is a written list of what is not included. Allowances connect to trade categoriesAllowances say what category they cover and whether they are installed. Owner-supplied items are namedYou can see what you must buy separately. Permit responsibility is writtenPermits, inspections, engineering, and corrections are assigned. Change-order pricing is writtenMissing scope has a written pricing and markup rule. Payments match visible workPayment milestones connect to completed work, not vague calendar dates.

Source panel

What makes trade coverage reviewable?

Trade line items

Each meaningful work category is visible instead of buried inside one blended number.

Exclusions

By-others work, owner-supplied items, permits, and inspection duties are named before signing.

Change-order rule

The quote explains how missing trade scope is priced, approved, and marked up.

Payment evidence

Payments connect to completed trade milestones, deliverables, or ordered materials.

This tool is educational and is not legal, inspection, engineering, construction, licensing, lien, contractor-vetting, financial, or outcome-guarantee advice. Bid Before Build reviews quote-risk signals in your source documents and does not guarantee project outcomes.