Give each bidder the same property brief and required decision.
DOWNTOWN SEATTLE / GUIDE
Downtown Plumbing Estimate Grid
A lower total may omit building coordination, after-hours access, finish work, cleanup, utility steps, or inspection included elsewhere.
PRACTICAL GUIDE
Normalize the scope before comparing totals
Compare diagnosis, access, shutdown, labor, materials, permits, tests, exclusions, protection, restoration, changes, payment, and warranty.
Translate allowances and optional work into written trigger conditions.
Expose exclusions and allowances
Put diagnosis, labor, materials, models, quantities, access, shutdowns, permits, inspections, testing, cleanup, disposal, restoration, taxes, payment schedule, warranty, and exclusions on matching lines. A lower total is not comparable when another proposal carries work as an allowance or leaves it unstated.
Resolve responsibility gaps before authorization.