Frequently Asked
Questions

QuoteScore uses AI to analyze contractor quotes and compare them against a database of 14,000+ regional pricing benchmarks across 28 service categories. Here's the process: you upload your quote as a photo, PDF, or paste it as text. The AI reads every line item — parts, labor, fees, and materials — extracts the pricing, then benchmarks each item against what the same work typically costs in your ZIP code or region. Within 60 seconds, you get a fairness score from 0-100, a verdict (Great Deal, Fair, Slightly High, Overpriced, or Red Flag), a line-by-line breakdown, and specific negotiation tips. The benchmarks come from a combination of our own analyzed quotes, publicly available contractor pricing data, and regional labor rate databases updated regularly.

Yes, completely free — no account, no credit card, no premium tier, no catch. Every feature is available to every user at no cost. We don't sell your data (we barely collect any), we don't run ads on results, and there's no freemium wall. The tool is free because we believe homeowners deserve access to pricing information that contractors already have. We may introduce optional paid features in the future, but the core quote analysis will always be free.

QuoteScore is a benchmarking tool — it tells you how your quote compares to typical market rates, not the exact "correct" price. Pricing legitimately varies based on contractor experience, material grades, job complexity, local permit requirements, and market conditions. A score of 70/100 doesn't mean the quote is perfect; it means it's within a normal range. A score of 30/100 is a strong signal to get competing quotes and ask specific questions. In user feedback, 89% of overpriced quotes (score below 50) were verified as overpriced when users got additional estimates. We recommend using QuoteScore as a starting point for due diligence, not as the final word.

Your uploaded file is permanently deleted the instant the analysis is complete. We extract only the contractor name, line items, and prices — we never see, collect, or store your name, home address, phone number, or email (unless you voluntarily provide your email for a feature like price alerts). We do not contact contractors, do not share analysis results with anyone, and do not maintain any link between a quote and a specific person. Your contractor will not know you used QuoteScore unless you tell them. Many users actually share the QuoteScore report with their contractor as a negotiation tool, which is entirely your choice.

QuoteScore handles 28 service categories: auto repair, collision repair, HVAC, roofing, plumbing, electrical, painting, flooring, landscaping, windows, kitchen remodeling, bathroom remodeling, solar installation, pest control, waterproofing, water damage restoration, siding, gutters, insulation, decking, fencing, masonry, tree service, moving, handyman services, concrete, drywall, and general construction. It works best with itemized quotes (line-by-line breakdowns) but can also analyze lump-sum quotes. If your category isn't listed, the AI will still attempt an analysis and flag what it can.

Three ways: (1) Photo — take a photo of your printed quote with your phone camera and upload it. Works well even if the lighting isn't perfect. (2) PDF — if your contractor emailed you a PDF estimate, upload that directly. (3) Text — paste the quote details as text. This works for emailed quotes, online estimates, or even typed summaries. For best results, make sure the quote shows itemized line items with individual prices. A quote that just says "roofing replacement: $12,000" will get a less detailed analysis than one that lists materials, labor, and fees separately.

The score is from 0 to 100. It's a fairness score, not a quality score — it measures how the quoted price compares to market benchmarks for the same work in your area. 80-100: Great Deal — this quote is at or below market rate. 65-79: Fair Price — within the normal market range. 50-64: Slightly High — worth getting a competing quote. 30-49: Overpriced — significant flags, negotiate or get alternatives. 0-29: Red Flag — substantially above market, seek alternatives urgently. The score accounts for your location (labor rates vary significantly by state and city) and the specific category. A 60/100 in San Francisco means something different than a 60/100 in rural Tennessee.

Flags are specific issues the AI identified in your quote. They come in four types: 🚩 Red Flag — a serious pricing problem or suspicious charge (e.g., parts marked up 200%, labor hours far above book time). ⚠️ Warning — something worth questioning that might have a legitimate explanation (e.g., vague "shop supplies" fee over $100). ❓ Missing — information that should be in a professional quote but isn't (e.g., no warranty terms, no permit mention on a project that typically requires one). 💡 Tip — proactive advice for your situation (e.g., "Ask if this diagnostic fee is waived with repair — most shops waive it"). Each flag comes with a plain-English explanation of why it was flagged and what to do about it.

The most effective approach is to present the benchmarks matter-of-factly rather than confrontationally. Something like: "I used a pricing tool and it shows the market rate for this line item is $X-Y. Can you help me understand what's included in your quote that justifies the difference?" Most legitimate contractors will either explain the premium (better materials, warranty, experience) or adjust the price. The negotiation tips in your QuoteScore report give you specific scripts for each flag. In our data, users who negotiate after a low score save an average of 18% without changing contractors. If the contractor can't or won't explain overpriced line items, that itself is useful information.

A low QuoteScore doesn't mean the contractor is bad — it means the price is above market benchmarks. Legitimate reasons for higher pricing include: specialized expertise or certifications, premium materials (the quote may not specify the grade), longer warranty coverage, better insurance and liability coverage, or simply that this contractor is in high demand. QuoteScore can't assess quality, reputation, or workmanship — only price. We strongly recommend weighing a contractor's score alongside their reviews, licensing, insurance, and your gut feel about their professionalism. A 72/100 from a highly-rated contractor you trust is often better than a 45/100 from a contractor you know nothing about.

Yes. After analyzing your first quote, you'll see a "Compare Another Quote" option. Run your second quote and QuoteScore will show both scores side by side with a comparison of each contractor's line items. This is especially useful when one quote is higher — you can see exactly which line items account for the difference. We've found that the comparison feature changes decisions: sometimes the higher quote is actually better value because it includes items the cheaper quote omits (like permits, cleanup, or a longer labor warranty).

Many users actually share their QuoteScore report directly with their contractor as part of the negotiation. Responses vary: most professional contractors engage with the data, explain their pricing, and often make adjustments. Some contractors offer to match specific line items. A few decline to negotiate — which is their right, and honestly useful information. What we haven't seen is a legitimate contractor ending the relationship because a homeowner did due diligence. If a contractor reacts badly to being asked about their pricing, that reaction itself might be telling.

Yes, and it's particularly powerful for auto repair because the pricing data is so well-established. For auto quotes, QuoteScore checks: parts pricing against RockAuto and AutoZone wholesale prices, labor hours against standardized "book time" for each repair, whether the shop's hourly rate is appropriate (dealership vs. independent pricing), common upsells that are often unnecessary (fuel system cleaning, engine flush), and NHTSA recall data — if your car has a recall covering the repair you're being quoted, that repair may be free at a dealership. We've analyzed 198+ auto repair quotes and flagged overcharging in 38% of them.

Yes. Roofing is actually our most-analyzed category (312+ quotes) and one of the most overpriced on average (avg score: 41/100). For roofing quotes, QuoteScore analyzes: shingle cost per square vs. contractor pricing, tear-off labor hours vs. roof square footage, underlayment and flashing materials, dump fees, permit costs for your area, and markup on specialty items like skylights or ridge vents. The biggest flags we see in roofing: labor that's double book hours, shingles charged at retail instead of contractor pricing (typically 35-50% higher), and vague "materials" line items that hide inflated costs. See our roofing quote breakdown guide for a deep dive.

Yes. HVAC is our second most analyzed category and consistently shows overpricing (avg score: 52/100). For HVAC quotes, QuoteScore checks: equipment cost vs. AHRI-certified unit pricing (brands like Carrier, Lennox, Trane, Rheem), installation labor hours vs. system size and complexity, refrigerant costs (R-410A, R-32 pricing), permit fees for your area, and whether the warranty terms are competitive. The most common flag: equipment marked up 60-100% above contractor pricing. A Carrier 3-ton central AC unit costs a contractor $1,200-1,800 wholesale. If you're seeing $3,500-4,500 for "equipment" in your quote, that's a flag.

Yes. Every analysis has a unique shareable URL that you can send to anyone. The link is permanent — it won't expire. You can also download a PDF version of the full report for your records. Sharing is useful when you want a second opinion from someone you trust, when you're discussing the quote with a spouse or partner, or when you want to show the contractor directly. The shareable report strips out any session information and shows only the analysis results.

"Book hours" (also called "flat rate" or "standard hours") are the industry-standard labor times for specific repairs. Every major auto and home repair task has a documented time — the time an experienced technician is expected to complete it. Shops charge based on book hours regardless of whether the actual job takes more or less time. The book time for replacing front brake pads and rotors is 1.5-2 hours per axle. If a shop quotes you for 4 hours, they're either using book time from a different, more complex scenario, or they're padding. QuoteScore has book hour data for hundreds of auto repair tasks and many home service jobs, and flags when quoted hours significantly exceed standard times.

QuoteScore is a mobile-optimized web app — it works on any smartphone browser at quotescore.ai without downloading anything. The upload flow is designed specifically for mobile: you can take a photo of your quote directly from the upload screen on iOS and Android. We chose this approach to remove the barrier of downloading an app before checking a quote you have in hand. If you'd like a native app version, let us know — we're tracking demand for this.

Our benchmark database is updated in two ways: continuously, as new quotes are analyzed and added to the database, and periodically, as we update regional labor rate data and material cost benchmarks. The database includes quotes analyzed from late 2024 to present, with geographic distribution across all 50 states. For volatile categories like HVAC equipment (where supply chain affects pricing), we note when our data may not reflect recent market shifts. We also publish the full stats API so you can see database size and recency.

Every quote you analyze is automatically added to our anonymized database (contractor name is stripped after analysis). If you have a particularly egregious quote — a 5/100 score with clear overcharging across every line item — it may appear in our Hall of Shame (fully anonymized, contractor name removed). If you have a genuinely great quote — fair pricing, transparent line items, competitive rates — it contributes to our benchmarks for fair pricing in your area. The more quotes analyzed, the better the benchmarks for everyone.

Yes — running multiple quotes through QuoteScore is one of the best ways to compare apples to apples. Contractors often quote different scopes of work, making comparison hard. QuoteScore normalizes the analysis: each quote gets broken into standard line items and scored against the same benchmarks. You might find the $8,000 quote includes permit costs and a 2-year labor warranty that the $6,000 quote doesn't mention. Or that the "cheaper" quote uses off-brand equipment with 40% lower efficiency ratings. The comparison view (available after your first analysis) puts both quotes side by side so you can make a genuinely informed decision.

QuoteScore was built by a team frustrated with contractor pricing opacity after personal experiences with overpriced home service quotes. The first version analyzed roofing and HVAC quotes. It now covers 28 categories and has analyzed over 1,566 quotes since launch. We're an independent tool with no affiliation with contractors, contractor directories, or lead generation services. We make no money when you choose a contractor — our only interest is in helping you understand if your quote is fair. Questions or feedback: quotescoreai@gmail.com.