Hiring guide
Why remodeling quotes come in so far apart.
Quotes for the same kitchen can be tens of thousands of dollars apart. Most of that gap is what each one includes. Here’s how to line them up before you compare the totals.
By Ryan McNee, owner · Updated November 5, 2026
The short answer
Compare the scope before the price
When two quotes for the same room are far apart, they usually aren’t pricing the same job. One has the permit in it and the other doesn’t. One carries bigger allowances. One prices the dust protection and cleanup, and the other leaves them for you. Put every quote on the same list first, then compare the totals.
Line them up
Eight things to compare on every quote
What’s in it, and what isn’t
A good quote lists both. If something isn’t on the list, assume it isn’t in the price. Ours lists what we do and don’t do, the materials, allowances, schedule and price.
The allowances
An allowance is a placeholder budget for something you haven’t picked yet, like tile, a vanity or light fixtures. Ask what each one buys. An allowance set too low makes a quote look cheaper, and the difference comes back later as a change order.
Permits and inspections
Who pulls the permit, and is the fee in the price? In New Jersey a contractor can’t start until the permits the work needs are in place. On our jobs, what your project needs is written into the scope.
What happens when the walls open
Old pipes, rot, wiring that isn’t to code: nobody sees all of it at the visit. Ask each contractor how they price what turns up. Ours is a written change order with the price, signed before that work starts. That includes upgrades the inspector requires to the existing house.
Protection and cleanup
Dust walls, floor protection, cleanup, the dumpster. Ask what’s included. On our jobs the work area is left broom-clean, and deep cleaning of fine dust and ducts is only included when the scope says so.
Who does the work
Ask who will be in your house each day and who you call. Ours: A crew we manage; plumbing, electrical and HVAC work goes to subcontractors in those trades, and other specialty trades when a job needs them. One point of contact.
Dates
Is there a start date and a finish date, or a time period? Both New Jersey and Pennsylvania require them in the contract. A quote with no dates can’t be compared on schedule.
Payments and warranty
How much up front, and when is the rest due? In Pennsylvania the deposit on a job over $5,000 is capped at one-third plus special-order materials. Our contract splits the price into four payments of 25%, on the dates or milestones written in it, and the last one is due after the final walkthrough. Warranty: 1-year workmanship warranty in the contract. Manufacturer warranties pass through.
The rules behind the permit, date and deposit lines are in the contracts guide: New Jersey’s N.J.A.C. 13:45A-16.2 and Pennsylvania’s 73 P.S. § 517.7 and § 517.9.
What moves the number
The same room, three different jobs
The biggest jump between quotes is how much moves. Keeping the layout, moving the sink and an island, and moving walls and plumbing are three different jobs, even in the same kitchen. Here’s what we quote at each level:
- Room
- Kitchen
- Level
- Classic
- What’s in it
- The layout stays. Semi-custom cabinets, quartz counters, new backsplash, floor and lighting.
- What we quote
- $74,866 – $94,846
- Room
- Kitchen
- Level
- Signature
- What’s in it
- Some things move: the sink, an island, a wall opened up. Upgraded cabinetry and stone, more lighting.
- What we quote
- $94,846 – $129,649
- Room
- Kitchen
- Level
- Custom
- What’s in it
- Walls or plumbing move. Custom cabinetry, pro appliances, structural work and permits.
- What we quote
- $129,649 and up
- Room
- Bathroom
- Level
- Refresh
- What’s in it
- Same layout. New tile, vanity, fixtures and glass, without moving plumbing.
- What we quote
- $10,586 – $22,810
- Room
- Bathroom
- Level
- Guest or hall bath
- What’s in it
- Taken to the studs: new waterproofing, tile, vanity, toilet, fixtures and lighting.
- What we quote
- $22,810 – $33,649
- Room
- Bathroom
- Level
- Primary bath
- What’s in it
- The full primary: larger shower, double vanity, tile floor to ceiling, things moved where they need to be.
- What we quote
- $33,649 – $48,906
| Room | Level | What’s in it | What we quote |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kitchen | Classic | The layout stays. Semi-custom cabinets, quartz counters, new backsplash, floor and lighting. | $74,866 – $94,846 |
| Kitchen | Signature | Some things move: the sink, an island, a wall opened up. Upgraded cabinetry and stone, more lighting. | $94,846 – $129,649 |
| Kitchen | Custom | Walls or plumbing move. Custom cabinetry, pro appliances, structural work and permits. | $129,649 and up |
| Bathroom | Refresh | Same layout. New tile, vanity, fixtures and glass, without moving plumbing. | $10,586 – $22,810 |
| Bathroom | Guest or hall bath | Taken to the studs: new waterproofing, tile, vanity, toilet, fixtures and lighting. | $22,810 – $33,649 |
| Bathroom | Primary bath | The full primary: larger shower, double vanity, tile floor to ceiling, things moved where they need to be. | $33,649 – $48,906 |
For a wider view, Cost vs. Value 2025, Middle Atlantic region puts a midrange major kitchen remodel at $89,679 and an upscale one at $181,994; a midrange bathroom at $30,158 and an upscale one at $90,090.
The low quote
Ask every quote the same question
Ask the lowest quote what isn’t in it. Then ask the highest one the same thing. If the answers make the two match, compare the totals. If they don’t, you’ve found the gap, and it’s usually in the allowances, the permit or what happens once the walls are open.
Have a quote in hand already? Call (609) 874-0990, or get our range in about a minute.
FAQ
Common questions
01Why are remodeling quotes for the same room so different?
Mostly because they price different jobs. One includes the permit and the other doesn’t, the allowances are set at different amounts, or one prices the cleanup and protection and the other leaves it out. Put the quotes side by side on the same list (scope, allowances, permits, hidden conditions, dates, payments, warranty) before you compare totals.
02What is an allowance in a remodeling quote?
A placeholder budget for something not picked yet, like tile, a vanity, light fixtures or cabinets. If what you pick costs more, the difference is added by change order. Before you compare quotes, ask what each allowance actually buys and how going over it is charged.
03Should I take the lowest remodeling quote?
Only after you’ve lined it up against the others, item by item. Ask the lowest quote what isn’t in it, and ask the highest one the same. If the answers make the two match, compare the totals.
04What does a kitchen remodel cost near Princeton, NJ?
The kitchen projects we show were signed at prices between $74,866.25 and $130,000.00. What we quote depends on how much moves: $74,866 – $94,846 when the layout stays. Your number comes in a written scope after our visit.
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