Send one clear brief to each pro
Start with the problem, the number of items, and the finished result you want. Add close-up photos and a wider shot for context. Share approximate dimensions, product details, and access information. For a Chicago condo or apartment, include the relevant work hours, elevator arrangements, and approval steps after checking them with your building.
If a pro needs to inspect the issue before quoting, ask whether that assessment has a charge. A remote estimate based on photos can still depend on what is found on site; identify the assumptions before treating it as a final project price.
Describe the outcome
“Patch the hole” can leave preparation, paint matching, and repainting unclear. Say whether the repair should be ready for paint or fully finished.
Keep changes consistent
If you add a task or change a material, update the brief for the other pros too. Different task lists cannot produce a useful comparison.
Read each quote against the same checklist
Do not read a missing line as an included task. Ask the pro to confirm it. If one quote is materially higher or lower, compare the assumptions and finish level before deciding whether the difference represents value.
| Check | Look for | Clarify any gap |
|---|---|---|
| Tasks and quantities | The complete list and the number or size of items. | Does the quote cover every task in my brief? |
| Labor and visit charges | Project pricing or hourly terms, minimums, and return visits. | What can change the labor total? |
| Materials | Who purchases parts, which products are included, and any allowance. | Are hardware, paint, and supply trips included? |
| Finish and cleanup | Protection, patching, painting, debris removal, and disposal. | What condition will the area be left in? |
| Timing and access | Proposed dates, parts lead time, and building restrictions. | What needs to happen before the visit? |
| Assumptions and exclusions | Hidden damage, unknown wall structure, and tasks outside the price. | How will extra work be quoted and approved? |
Compare the person as well as the proposal
Look at relevant work photos, profile information, completed-job reviews, and the available credential information. Ask how the pro would approach your specific task and discuss any qualifications or insurance the work requires. A clear explanation and a complete proposal give you more to assess than a number alone.
The FTC advises getting multiple written estimates, asking about a large difference between estimates, and reading the contract before signing. Its checklist covers the work, materials, price, and dates.
Read the source: FTC advice on written estimates and choosing a contractor.
Resolve changes before they become extra work
Confirm the agreed scope
Put the accepted tasks, materials, finished result, price, and schedule into the agreement. Resolve anything described differently in messages and in the proposal.
Set a change process
Ask the pro to explain a newly discovered issue and provide the added scope and price before proceeding. Record your approval rather than relying on an open-ended instruction to fix everything.
Keep completion clear
Agree what you will review at the end of the job. On HandyConnect, confirm completion before online payment; a cash payment can also be recorded with the job.
