FOR SONS, DAUGHTERS AND CAREGIVERS

Is your parent's repair quote fair? Check it from wherever you are.

A contractor tells your mom the roof needs replacing, or your dad gets a plumbing bill he has to sign today. You are not there to read it. Have them text you a photo of the quote, and check the price and the red flags before anyone pays a deposit.

Check the quote free

Three steps, about five minutes

1. Get a photo of every page

Ask your parent to photograph the whole quote, including the fine print and the payment terms, and text or email it to you. If there is no written quote, that is the first answer.

2. Score it

Upload the photo here. QuoteScore scores it 0 to 100 against real quotes and pricing benchmarks, line by line, and lists what looks high or missing. Free, no account.

3. Call your parent with questions, not a verdict

"What does this line cover?" and "Can we get a second quote first?" go over better than "you are being scammed". A second written quote is the simplest way to settle it.

Red flags to listen for

The contractor knocked on the door, found a problem nobody had noticed, and wants to start today.

Pressure to sign now: a price that expires tonight, or "I can fit you in because I am working next door".

Cash only, a large deposit before work starts, or a request to go to the bank together.

No written contract, no business address, or no license where your parent's state requires one.

Work that keeps growing: a small repair that becomes a much bigger job once the crew is on the roof or under the house.

If they already signed

Under the FTC's Cooling-Off Rule, many sales made at the buyer's home can be cancelled within three business days; the seller has to give the cancellation form. Some states give more time. If you think a parent was targeted, report it to your state attorney general or county consumer protection office, and to Adult Protective Services or the National Elder Fraud Hotline (1-833-372-8311) run by the U.S. Department of Justice.

Check the price

Roof, plumbing and heating or cooling quotes are the ones families ask about most. Here is how those quotes have scored so far.

Roofing: 42% of 325 quotes we have scored came in overpriced.

Plumbing: 45% of 281 quotes we have scored came in overpriced.

HVAC: 33% of 215 quotes we have scored came in overpriced.

Live figures from our public dataset: every quote scored in each category, from homeowners of all ages.

QuoteScore is a pricing check, not a contractor, a lawyer or a fraud investigator. The written contract decides what is owed.