A home improvement contractor proposal can be thought of as a draft for home improvement contracts. A proposal is a detailed explanation of project costs than is usually seen in a contractor estimate, but not a legally binding contract. A written proposal includes information on how the contractor approaches home improvement projects.

What to Expect in a Contractor Proposal

Different home improvement contractors use different contractor forms and structures for proposals. Ideally, a contractor proposal gives the homeowner an accurate view of project costs, timeframe for completion, a list of materials, legal details, payment schedules, contact information, and how the contractor plans to approach the project.

In reality, the quality of a contractor proposal depends on the home improvement contractor’s communication skills and willingness to provide details. Some contractors provide “bare bones” proposals, either because they don’t think homeowners want to know about the details, don’t believe the details are necessary, or, in a worst case scenario, plan to use the vagueness of the proposal wording to charge extra during the project.

You want details in a proposal. The more information you have, the less chance there is of misunderstandings arising during home improvement projects. Of course, you also want proposal details delivered in a simple, easy to understand format. A poorly-worded contractor proposal can be a nightmare to read.

Things to Look for in Contractor Proposals

A good contractor proposal should be a rough draft for future home improvement contracts. It is this detail that marks the difference between a proposal and a project estimate. A well-written proposal also indicates how well a contractor can communicate ideas and explain details–important traits in someone you’ll be working with closely. Look for the following in your proposal:

• Are any subcontractors listed?
• Are any warranties / guarantees clearly stated?
• Does the contractor proposal detail the steps in the home improvement project in a clear, linear manner?
• Does the proposal explain how unforeseen charges or delays will be handled?
• Is a work schedule included with the proposal?
• Is the contractor payment schedule clear and easy to understand?
• Is the contractor’s state registration number and contact information provided?
• Is the proposal neat and typed, or handwritten and illegible?
• Is there a comprehensive materials list, including prices, model numbers, brands and colors?

It’s wise to remember, however, that a proposal is not an actual contract. Elements of the proposal may be dropped during the creation of the actual contract, and in matters of dispute, it’s the signed home improvement contract that’s important, not what was in the proposal. Compare any contract carefully with the home improvement proposal, and ask for clarification about any changes between the two documents.