Make scope comparable before comparing price
Enter the amounts from written proposals. If a contractor bundles labor and equipment into one figure, enter the bundle once and mark included line items as zero only after the contractor confirms their inclusion. Splitting a bundle into guessed amounts makes a quote look more detailed without making it more accurate.
A blank means the amount is not provided. A zero means a stated item has no additional charge. The calculator adds known costs but calls the result a partial subtotal until all seven cost fields are supplied. Total differences against Quote A appear only when both quotes are complete.
Ask what the total actually includes
Equipment model numbers, capacity, matched indoor and outdoor components, thermostat, duct transitions, electrical work, permits, removal, startup testing, tax, and warranty terms can change what you are buying. Use the other-fees field for tax and any charges not already recorded. Ask contractors to state allowances and possible change orders in writing.
Record parts and labor warranties separately in the warranty field. Ask who administers each warranty, whether registration is required, and what exclusions remain. Describe maintenance visits in plain terms: how many, during what period, and which checks are included.
A complete total is still only one input
A contractor’s load calculation, equipment selection, permit responsibility, commissioning process, and local licensing matter. ENERGY STAR’s contractor hiring guidance recommends evaluating proposals beyond the initial price. This tool deliberately makes no “best quote” recommendation.
Quote details stay on this page and disappear when you reload or navigate away. Use your browser’s print function if you want a local copy, and keep the original signed proposals as the authoritative documents. Nothing is submitted to a contractor or to Everyday Cost Lab.
Calculation model reviewed October 21, 2026. Original worked examples by the Everyday Cost Lab editorial desk. Estimates do not replace a contractor’s assessment.