Start with the same reference
Write down the drawings, specifications and plan version behind each proposal. Ask about different versions or missing selections before treating the totals as comparable. CSLB’s homeowner guidance recommends comparing bids against the same plans, specifications and scope.
Give each work item a status
- Included: the described work is part of the proposal.
- Excluded: the proposal explicitly leaves it out.
- Allowance: an amount is set aside; confirm what it covers and how adjustments are handled.
- Unclear: ask for a written clarification instead of assuming.
Separate the product from delivery, preparation, connections and installation. Record who supplies each part and who confirms compatibility. A named fixture alone does not explain the whole installation scope.
Identify assumptions and responsibilities
Ask what has been assumed about existing conditions, access and work that cannot yet be inspected. Identify what needs further investigation and how newly discovered work would be discussed.
Clarify who provides plans, professional review, selections and approval information. Architecture and engineering may involve outside professionals with separate agreements. Record responsibilities that remain to be agreed.
Resolve questions before committing
Keep written clarifications with their date and source. Ask how scope changes, unresolved selections and their effects on cost or timing will be documented. Read the actual agreement and seek qualified advice for contractual questions you cannot resolve.
Use the worksheet below for one work item at a time. It is a planning tool, not a contractor ranking or a substitute for reviewing credentials and the agreement.