I’m in the early planning stage of a small residential build and have started getting rough estimates from a few contractors. What surprised me is how different the numbers are, even though I’m sharing the same drawings and general scope with everyone. Some are much higher, while others seem almost too low for the same project.

From what I understand, things like material allowances, labor assumptions, site conditions, and how detailed each contractor measures quantities can really change the total. But as a homeowner it’s hard to tell whether a higher quote reflects better accuracy or just higher margins.

I’ve been reading that having independent building estimating services done before finalizing contractors can sometimes help create a clearer cost baseline so comparisons are more realistic.

For those who’ve built or managed projects before, did you see large estimate gaps too? And how did you decide which quote was actually reliable versus just cheap or inflated? Would appreciate any practical advice before I move forward. visit website: https://kellyestimating.com/