RENOBENCH / PLANNING GUIDE
Check what is included.
Then compare totals.
A price comparison is the last part of reviewing a proposal. First establish what the contractor is actually offering, what remains outside the quote, and which amounts can change.
THE SHORT ANSWER
For a useful quote review, match the scope and quantities, confirm products and inclusions, price known exclusions once, identify allowances already inside the quote, and review the written terms separately. A lower entered total is not a contractor recommendation.
A practical review checklist.
| Review item | What to record |
|---|---|
| Scope & quantities | Areas, preparation, removal, installation tasks, and quantities |
| Products | Selected products or specifications; which choices remain open |
| Inclusions | Materials, labor, taxes, delivery, permits, cleanup, and disposal |
| Exclusions | Who supplies the missing work or product and what it will cost |
| Allowances | Amounts already in the total and how final differences will be handled |
| Written terms | Schedule, payment terms, change process, and stated warranties |
| Contractor information | Identity, contact details, and qualifications to verify |
Mark an unknown as unknown.
If a proposal does not say whether disposal is included, do not assume it is free or automatically add a guessed local price. Ask the contractor to clarify the inclusion and any amount.
In RenoBench’s comparison tool, selecting “Excluded” records a scope issue. It does not automatically price the missing item. Enter a known missing amount in the extras field once.
Keep allowances inside the original total.
The allowance field is for amounts already included in the quoted price. It helps you see where selections or quantities may still be open. The tool does not add these amounts again.
An allowance does not establish the final price of an unselected product. Ask how differences will be charged or credited and record the contractor’s explanation with the proposal.
Read the adjusted total with its limits.
Adjusted total means original quote plus the known excluded costs you enter. It does not include automatically predicted overruns, missing prices, or an automatic contingency.
If one proposal includes less work, its adjusted total can still be incomplete even after you enter some extras. Resolve those gaps before treating the numbers as comparable.
Keep the written proposal and your comparison together.
The worksheet is a summary, not a replacement for the documents. Save or export a copy of your comparison and keep the actual proposals separately. Recheck the totals when a contractor revises a document.
PRACTICAL QUESTIONS
A few useful clarifications.
Can the checklist identify the best contractor?
No. It organizes questions and scope information. You remain responsible for checking qualifications, references, documents, and the proposed work.
Does a quote with no listed exclusions include everything?
The worksheet cannot establish that. Confirm the required scope and ask the contractor to clarify unclear items in writing.
Can I upload my proposals for automatic analysis?
The current RenoBench tools do not upload or read contractor documents. You enter the totals and inclusion statuses yourself.
Keep planning with RenoBench.
Prepared by RenoBench. Content revision: October 22, 2026. Examples are illustrative; prices and property-specific requirements must be checked separately.
Planning worksheet. Confirm scope and costs with your contractor.