Ask about the exact work
Ask whether the business handles your specific job. A broad category such as home services does not explain what a quote includes. Describe access restrictions, parking, and any work you want to exclude.
From a directory result to a useful shortlist
Find local businesses.
Compare the details.
Use this local business directory guide to turn search results into a practical shortlist. Start with the service you need and the area you need it in.
MonkeyDirectory provides a comparison worksheet and a guide. It does not maintain business listings, collect customer reviews, or run an AI search service.
Compare your quotes →Build a shortlist around the job
Write a short description before you contact a business. For a repair, name the problem and the item that needs work. For cleaning, describe the rooms and any special surfaces. Use the same description with each business so the answers address the same request.
Confirm the service area
Give the business your town or postal code before discussing a booking. Ask whether travel adds a charge. Confirm whether the business visits your property or expects you to bring an item to its premises.
Separate a visit from completion
Ask whether the offered date covers an assessment or the actual work. Record any parts, access, or approvals the business needs before it can finish. Keep the answer beside the quote for later comparison.
Your figures · Your comparison
Local service quote comparison
Enter the amounts from two quotes in US dollars. Put a bundled price in the quoted work field. Add materials and other charges only when the quoted work excludes them. Enter zero for confirmed included charges. Leave unknown amounts blank until the business confirms them.
Enter all six amounts to compare the quotes.
Method: total = quoted work + extra materials + other extra charges. The difference is the larger total minus the smaller total. The tool rounds no input amounts. It calculates in cents and shows totals to two decimal places. It sends no quote data and saves no quote data.
Include any quoted tax in the relevant amount. Do not add a deposit to the total if it already forms part of the price. This comparison measures cost only. It cannot check workmanship, insurance, availability, or the accuracy of a quote.
Check evidence before you choose
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), July 2022, recommends multiple written estimates for home improvement work. Its estimate checklist covers the work, materials, completion date, and price. It advises against automatically choosing the lowest bidder.
For a contractor, the FTC recommends checking the license with state or county government and asking for proof of insurance. Ask the business for the details you need to perform those checks. Keep a copy of the estimate with your notes.
Read beyond a star rating
The FTC, October 2022, recommends consulting several review sources. It suggests checking review dates and reviewer history. A burst of reviews may deserve closer attention, but appearance alone cannot reliably establish whether a review is genuine.
For your shortlist, record questions that reviews raise about the exact service you need. Ask the business about those questions directly. Keep customer comments separate from facts you check yourself. Do not turn an isolated complaint into a conclusion about every job.
Resolve differences in writing
Ask each business to identify exclusions before you compare totals. If one quote includes disposal and another leaves it out, request clarification. Keep the original quote and the revised quote together. Record which version you use in the tool.
Questions about this guide
Does the lower total identify the best business?
No. The calculator compares the amounts you enter. Check whether each quote covers the same work and whether the business meets your requirements.
Can I add or claim a business listing?
This page has no listing service. Use it to organize your own research and compare quotes you obtain directly from businesses.
What if a charge is unknown?
Ask the business to confirm it. Do not enter zero simply to complete the calculation. An incomplete quote needs clarification before a meaningful comparison.
Sources
Federal Trade Commission: “How To Avoid a Home Improvement Scam” (July 2022) and “How To Evaluate Online Reviews” (October 2022). Checked on October 28, 2026. The estimate guidance concerns US home improvement work.