Price is the easiest thing to compare between contractors, and often the least useful one on its own.
What actually matters:
- Active license and insurance — non-negotiable, verify directly rather than taking their word for it
- Recent local work — ideally within the Capital Region, so you can see results in a similar climate and housing stock
- Clear, written scope of work — vague quotes lead to disputes mid-project
- A realistic timeline — be skeptical of estimates that seem too fast for the scope of work
- Communication style during the bidding process — how a contractor communicates before you've signed anything is usually how they'll communicate throughout the project
The mistake most homeowners make
Comparing three bids purely on price, without weighing scope clarity, licensing, or communication, is one of the most common ways homeowners end up with a bad experience even when the final number looked good on paper.
A better way to start
NEHI scopes your project first, then matches you with a contractor already vetted on all of the above — so the comparison you're making isn't "cheap vs. expensive," it's simply "is this the right fit."