[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":79},["ShallowReactive",2],{"guide-compare-contractor-estimates-en-US":3},{"guide":4,"related":59},{"title":5,"seoTitle":6,"description":7,"summary":8,"sections":9,"faq":34,"date":41,"service":42,"order":43,"sources":44,"slug":57,"locale":58},"How to compare contractor estimates","How to Compare Contractor Estimates","A practical checklist for comparing renovation and electrical quotes in New York: scope, allowances, exclusions, permits, payments, license and insurance.","Compare estimates line by line on the same scope. Check what is excluded, who files permits, how payments are scheduled, and whether the contractor is licensed and insured. The lowest price often omits items.",[10,14,23,30],{"heading":11,"paragraphs":12},"Compare estimates on the same scope",[13],"Give every contractor the same description, photos and measurements. If one estimate is much lower, look for what is missing before assuming it is a better deal.",{"heading":15,"list":16},"What a complete estimate includes",[17,18,19,20,21,22],"Work broken into clear line items","Allowances, with amounts, for items you have not yet selected","What is not included, in writing","Who files and pays for permits and inspections","Expected start date and duration","Payment schedule tied to progress",{"heading":24,"list":25},"Verify the contractor",[26,27,28,29],"NYC Home Improvement Contractor license from DCWP for home and apartment work, searchable online","Master electrician or master plumber license for electrical or plumbing work","Certificate of insurance sent directly by the contractor's insurance broker or agent","A contract in writing before work or large payments",{"heading":31,"paragraphs":32},"Payments and changes",[33],"New York State law sets requirements for home improvement contracts, including how a deposit must be protected. Ask each contractor how the deposit will be held. Any change during the job should be priced and signed before the additional work is done.",[35,38],{"q":36,"a":37},"How many estimates should I get?","Two or three estimates for the same scope are usually sufficient.",{"q":39,"a":40},"Is a verbal quote enough?","No. The scope, price and payment terms should be in writing before work starts.","2026-10-24","renovation",10,[45,49,53],{"title":46,"url":47,"publisher":48},"Check License","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nyc.gov\u002Fsite\u002Fdca\u002Fconsumers\u002Fcheck-license.page","NYC Department of Consumer and Worker Protection",{"title":50,"url":51,"publisher":52},"Know Your Construction Professional","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nyc.gov\u002Fsite\u002Fbuildings\u002Fproperty-or-business-owner\u002Fknow-your-construction-professional.page","NYC Department of Buildings",{"title":54,"url":55,"publisher":56},"General Business Law § 771: Home improvement contract provisions","https:\u002F\u002Fwww.nysenate.gov\u002Flegislation\u002Flaws\u002FGBS\u002F771","New York State Senate","compare-contractor-estimates","en-US",[60,65,69,75],{"slug":61,"title":62,"description":63,"service":64,"date":41},"nyc-renovation-permits","NYC permits for renovation, electrical and plumbing work","Which renovation, electrical and plumbing jobs need a NYC Department of Buildings permit, who files it, and what changes on Long Island.","electrical",{"slug":66,"title":67,"description":68,"service":64,"date":41},"electrical-panel-upgrade","Electrical panel and service upgrades for NYC and Long Island homes","When an older NYC or Long Island home needs a new panel or a bigger electrical service, what the work involves, and how long it takes.",{"slug":70,"title":71,"description":72,"service":73,"date":74},"ev-charging-without-service-upgrade","EV charging without an expensive service upgrade","Load sharing, CT-clamp load management, dryer-outlet sharing and right-sized chargers: ways to add EV charging in NYC and Long Island without upgrading your electrical service.","ev-charging","2026-10-25",{"slug":76,"title":77,"description":78,"service":73,"date":41},"ev-charger-installation","Installing a home EV charger in NYC or Long Island","Level 1 vs Level 2 charging, panel capacity, permits, Tesla Powershare, and what to know for houses and buildings in NYC and Long Island.",1792924280234]