How to Compare Contractor Bids in Idaho
Three bids on the same written scope, normalized allowances, priced on transparent line items — that is the framework. Here is how to run it, what variance is normal, which red flags actually matter, and the twelve questions to ask each bidder before you choose.
Quick answer
Get three bids on the same written scope with the same allowance levels for owner-selected items. Expect 15–40% variance on a normalized scope; anything beyond 25% below the pack is usually under-priced, not a bargain. Compare on transparent line items, not top-line numbers. Verify each bidder's Idaho registration at ibol.idaho.gov, ask twelve questions before choosing, and watch for the eight red flags below. The right question is not “who's cheapest” but “who has the most honest scope + reasonable price + strong references.”
Quick answer
Three is the sweet spot for most residential remodels. One bid gives you no comparison; two bids give you a range but no median; three bids give you a real spread and let you see if any is materially high or low.
Six steps to compare bids the way you would want your own bid compared. Skipping any of them is where homeowners spend an extra $5K–$15K they didn't need to spend.
Write the scope of work first
Two paragraphs describing what you want done, room by room. This is the document all bidders bid against. If you can't write it, ask the first bidder to write it and send it to the other two.
Set common allowance levels for owner-selected items
Tile allowance ($/sf), cabinet allowance, fixture allowance, appliance allowance, counter allowance. Same numbers across all bids. This eliminates the biggest single cause of bid confusion.
Get three written bids
One is no comparison; two is a range with no median; three is a real distribution. Four+ adds fatigue without information. All three bids on the same scope + allowances.
Verify each bidder's Idaho registration
Search each RCE- or BC- number at ibol.idaho.gov. Active status. Match to entity signing your contract. Non-Active = walk away.
Compare line item by line item
Not top-line total. Look at each trade's labor, materials, allowance, contingency. Where does bidder A run high or low vs bidders B and C? Is it explained by scope difference, or is it a real cost difference?
Ask questions before choosing
The twelve questions in the FAQ below. Call two past-project homeowners each bidder gives you as references. Ask about how the bidder handled change orders and concealed conditions — that is where the real character shows.
Two categories: hard stop (do not sign) and yellow flag (ask hard questions, walk if unsatisfied). Any single hard stop is a walk-away; two or more yellow flags on the same bid is also a walk-away.
No registration number provided, or number returns 'no match' at ibol.idaho.gov
hard stopDeposit request of 50%+ at contract signing
hard stopCash-only payment outside a written contract
hard stopVerbal estimate only — no written bid
hard stopBid 25%+ below other bids on the same scope
yellow flagHigh-pressure sales tactics or 'sign today' discounts
yellow flagRefusal to provide Certificate of Insurance or references
hard stopRefusal to include a written workmanship warranty
hard stopWon't name the specific licensed plumber or electrician who will be on the project
yellow flagWon't put allowances or exclusions in writing
yellow flagHow many contractor bids should I get for an Idaho remodel?
Three is the sweet spot for most residential remodels. One bid gives you no comparison; two bids give you a range but no median; three bids give you a real spread and let you see if any is materially high or low. More than three usually adds decision fatigue without adding useful information. Get all three bids on the same written scope — a scope of work you write, or that the first contractor writes and you send to the other two. Comparing bids on different scopes is the number-one reason homeowners feel like 'these bids are all over the map' — they usually are not; the scopes are just different.
Why do contractor bids on the same scope vary so much?
Even with a normalized scope, expect bids to spread 15-40% for a residential remodel. Legitimate reasons for variance: (1) different contractors carry different labor rates depending on their crew composition, overhead structure, and workload; (2) allowances for owner-selected items may be set differently by different bidders; (3) contingency for concealed conditions varies (a bidder with lots of pre-1980 experience prices differently for a Boise North End kitchen than a bidder who mostly builds in Meridian post-2010 subdivisions); (4) some contractors bid to win and eat any surprises; others bid to price the actual risk. If a bid is 25%+ below the others on the same scope, it is more likely under-priced than a genuine bargain — check what got skipped.
What should be in a contractor's written bid?
A useful written bid should include: (1) contractor's Idaho registration number (RCE- or BC-); (2) itemized scope of work broken down by trade or area — not a two-line summary; (3) fixed price OR clear T&M / cost-plus structure with a cap; (4) any allowances for owner-selected items with over/under language; (5) exclusions — what is NOT in the bid; (6) rough schedule with start availability and duration; (7) payment schedule with milestones; (8) warranty terms; (9) permit responsibility; (10) insurance verification available on request. A bid that is a single dollar amount with no line-item detail is not a bid — it is a guess, and a guess protects the contractor at your expense.
What are red flags in a contractor bid?
Eight red flags that should make you look elsewhere: (1) no registration number provided, or a number that doesn't match at ibol.idaho.gov; (2) a request for 50%+ deposit at contract signing, or cash-only outside a written contract; (3) verbal-only estimate — no written bid at all; (4) a bid dramatically below the others on the same scope (usually means work will be skipped or change-ordered up mid-project); (5) high-pressure sales tactics ('sign today for a discount'); (6) refusal to provide Certificate of Insurance or references; (7) refusal to include a written workmanship warranty; (8) unwillingness to name the specific licensed plumber or electrician who will be on the project. Any single red flag is a warning; two or more is a walk-away.
What are typical deposit norms in the Treasure Valley?
Idaho does not statutorily cap contractor deposits, but industry norms in the Treasure Valley run 10% to 25% of the project total at contract signing. Larger projects with long material lead times (custom cabinets, imported stone) often justify a higher upfront material deposit tied specifically to material procurement — but that money should be visible in the contract as material procurement, not general deposit. Progress payments follow milestones: rough-in complete, drywall closure, substantial completion. A 5% to 10% retention held until punch list is cleared is common. Any bid asking for 50%+ upfront on a straight remodel is outside industry norms.
Should I go with the cheapest bid?
Only if you have verified the cheapest bid is actually bidding the same scope with the same quality. When a bid is materially below the others on a normalized scope, the most common causes are: (1) allowances set unrealistically low so the homeowner will over-run at selection time; (2) key line items missing (waterproofing, sub-floor prep, permit fees, disposal); (3) trades not identified — the bidder is planning to use unregistered / unlicensed help; (4) the bidder is desperate for work and will disappear mid-project; (5) a genuine efficiency (rare — most Treasure Valley contractors have similar cost structures). Compare bids on total transparent cost, not just the top-line number. The right question is not 'who's cheapest' but 'who has the most honest scope + reasonable price + strong references.'
How do I compare bids that have different allowances?
Ask each contractor to price the SAME allowance level for owner-selected items, then compare the trade labor and construction cost separately from the allowance. Example: if you are looking at tile, ask all bidders to price the shower with a $12/sf tile allowance. Now the tile cost is the same across bids and you are comparing the construction labor and materials. Do the same for cabinets, counters, fixtures, appliances. This is the single most important normalization step — most bid confusion comes from different bidders assuming different allowance levels for the same scope.
What questions should I ask each contractor before choosing?
Twelve questions to ask each bidder: (1) What is your Idaho registration number? (2) How long have you been in business under this entity? (3) Can I see the last 3 similar projects you've completed in the Treasure Valley? (4) Who is the specific licensed plumber and electrician who will be on my project? (5) Who will be my day-to-day project manager? (6) What is your workmanship warranty length and scope? (7) What is your typical timeline from contract signing to substantial completion for a project like mine? (8) What is your current lead time to start? (9) How do you handle concealed conditions if you find rotted subfloor or knob-and-tube? (10) What is your change-order procedure? (11) What is your payment schedule? (12) Can I speak with two homeowners you completed projects for in the last 12 months?
How does Iron Crest handle the bid process?
Iron Crest bids in writing with itemized scope by trade and area, fixed price with clearly defined allowances, explicit exclusions, milestone payment schedule, 3-year workmanship warranty in writing, and permit responsibility inside our scope. Our registration is RCE-6681702 (verify at ibol.idaho.gov). We name the specific licensed electrician and plumber on the project at bid time. We provide COI on request and past-project references from the last 12 months. We do not require signing on the spot — take the bid home, compare it against others, and come back with questions. If a bid is confusing or missing anything, that is a bid problem, not a comparison problem. Iron Crest bids are designed to be readable.
DOPL / IBOL Contractor Lookup
Verify every bidder's Idaho registration status before signing.
Idaho Code § 54-5215 (pre-job disclosure)
The written-disclosure statute — what every bid should minimally include.
Idaho Attorney General — Consumer Protection
State consumer protection division — resource for contractor complaints and reporting.
Check Contractor Registration in Idaho
The six-step DOPL / IBOL verification workflow.
Idaho Contractor Contract Checklist
The 5 legal minimums + 10 best-practice items in a good Idaho remodel contract.
Hiring Hub (parent)
The full consumer-protection guide for hiring in Idaho.
Get an Iron Crest Bid Alongside Two Others
Iron Crest bids in writing with itemized scope by trade, fixed price with clear allowances, exclusions in writing, milestone payment schedule, 3-year workmanship warranty, and RCE-6681702 registration verifiable at ibol.idaho.gov. Take it home. Compare it. Come back with questions.