WHO IT'S FOR
Replicost for homeowners checking a quote
Replicost for homeowners checking a quote: paste it and see what the work would cost to do again, with every number sourced.
The problem
A remodel quote is a big number with little explanation. Homeowners want to know if it is fair before they sign, but comparing three quotes that each describe the job differently is slow, and asking "why so much?" without a reason behind the question rarely gets a useful answer.
How it works
Describe the job or paste the quote.
Replicost estimates materials and labor, with the source of each number.
Compare its estimate to the quote, line by line.
Ask the contractor about the lines that differ most.
What it does not do
Replicost does not tell you a contractor is overcharging. Labor rates differ by region and by trade, good contractors charge for experience and warranty, and a quote may include work the estimate does not know about. What it gives you is a sourced reference point, so the conversation starts from numbers instead of a feeling.
If you want to understand how a contractor builds a price, how to price a service job without guessing explains labor, materials, travel and margin from the contractor's side.
Questions
Does Replicost tell me a contractor is overcharging?
No. It shows what the work would cost from sourced numbers, so you can see where a quote differs and ask about it.
What kinds of jobs can it price?
From a walnut table to a kitchen remodel.
What should I ask when a line is much higher than the estimate?
Ask what the line includes. Often it is a material grade, a permit, demolition, or disposal that the estimate did not assume.
Is a quote with a cost breakdown better?
Usually. A contractor who shows labor, materials and other costs separately is easier to compare and easier to trust.