How to use this worksheet
Print the table below or copy it into a spreadsheet, with one column per bid. Go through each estimate and fill in what it says for every line. Where a bid is silent, write "not stated" rather than assuming. The gaps are often more revealing than the totals.
Pay particular attention to whether each bid includes rebuilding. Some contractors stop once materials are removed and the structure is dry, leaving drywall, insulation, paint and flooring for someone else. Others include rebuild. Two bids that look far apart may simply cover different halves of the project.
Line-by-line comparison
- Line item
- Moisture source
- What to look for
- Named cause and who corrects it
- Follow-up if missing
- Who fixes the leak, and when?
- Line item
- Affected area
- What to look for
- Rooms, walls and approximate square footage
- Follow-up if missing
- Can you mark the areas on a floor plan?
- Line item
- Containment
- What to look for
- Barriers, sealed vents, negative air, number of air scrubbers
- Follow-up if missing
- How will the rest of the house be protected?
- Line item
- Materials removed
- What to look for
- Drywall height, insulation, carpet, pad, trim, cabinets
- Follow-up if missing
- What happens if growth extends further?
- Line item
- Materials cleaned in place
- What to look for
- Framing, sheathing, concrete, ductwork
- Follow-up if missing
- How will cleaning be done and verified?
- Line item
- Pre-work testing
- What to look for
- Asbestos or lead sampling for older materials
- Follow-up if missing
- Is testing included or separate?
- Line item
- Drying
- What to look for
- Equipment, duration estimate, moisture targets
- Follow-up if missing
- What reading counts as dry?
- Line item
- Disposal
- What to look for
- Bagging, hauling and any special handling
- Follow-up if missing
- Is disposal included?
- Line item
- Clearance
- What to look for
- Visual inspection, independent testing, or both
- Follow-up if missing
- Who pays if clearance fails?
- Line item
- Rebuild
- What to look for
- Drywall, insulation, paint, flooring, trim
- Follow-up if missing
- Is this a separate estimate or contractor?
- Line item
- Permits
- What to look for
- Any Denver permits for plumbing, electrical or structural work
- Follow-up if missing
- Who pulls and closes permits?
Fill one column per bid. Use the right-hand column to note follow-up questions.
Interpreting big differences
- IfOne bid removes far more drywall than the otherAsk each contractor to explain how they mapped the affected area, and whether moisture readings support their line.
- IfOne bid has no containmentAsk why. Very small, isolated areas may not need full containment, but anything inside living space generally does.
- IfOne bid relies mostly on spraying or foggingAsk where physical removal of growth fits; coatings are not a substitute for removal.
- IfOnly one bid mentions testing older materialsFor a pre-1980 Hilltop house, treat that as a point in its favor and ask the other contractor about it.
Before you pick a bid
- Every bid describes the same rooms and walls, or the differences are explained
- The moisture source fix is assigned and scheduled
- Change-order rules are written down for hidden damage
- Payment schedule is tied to completed stages, not front-loaded
- You understand who handles rebuild and permits
- Proof of insurance is on file
General information for Hilltop, not a quote or professional advice. In an emergency, call 911.