To compare contractor bids in Chicago, make every bidder price the same scope, then compare line by line, not by bottom line. Check what materials are listed, who pulls the permit, who removes debris, what is excluded, and whether the contractor's license checks out. A big gap between bids usually means a different scope or a skipped step. Illinois law requires a written contract over $1,000 that lists total cost and materials.
You asked three contractors about the same porch or the same wall, and the numbers came back miles apart. The instinct is to pick the middle one, or the lowest. Neither is a method. How to compare contractor bids in Chicago starts with making sure the bids describe the same job.
Start with one scope of work
Write down what you want done, in plain words, and give the same description to every contractor who visits. If one bid covers replacing the rotted joists and another only covers the deck boards, they are not competitors. They are different jobs with different results.
Ask each contractor to put in writing what is included and what is not. Gaps hide in the exclusions: debris removal, permit fees, patching and painting after the work, and what happens if they find rot under the surface.
Compare these items line by line
Build a simple table with one column per bidder and rows for:
- Scope. What gets repaired, replaced or left alone.
- Materials. Brand, type and grade where it matters. Illinois requires the written contract to list parts and materials with reasonable particularity (Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act). A bid that says only "materials" is not enough.
- Permit. Who pulls it, and is the cost in the bid? Compare against who normally pulls the permit.
- Site work. Protection of your property, dumpster, cleanup, and use of the sidewalk or alley.
- Payment schedule. How much up front, and how payments tie to finished stages. See how much deposit a contractor should ask for.
- Change orders. How extra work is priced and approved in writing.
What drives the gap between bids?
When two honest bids differ a lot, the cost driver is usually one of these:
Scope (how much gets replaced instead of patched), materials and their quality, access (height, scaffolding, alley or sidewalk use), hidden conditions found after demolition, the permit path, the size and skill of the crew, and how the contractor handles debris and cleanup. A very low bid can mean a skipped step, an unlisted material, or extras billed later.
Ask each contractor to explain the biggest difference between their bid and the others. A good one will explain. A contractor who goes quiet or gets defensive has told you something too.
Check the contractor, not only the paper
A clear bid from an unlicensed contractor is still a bad bid. The City lets you verify Chicago contractor licenses on its Contractor License Lookup, and our guide to checking any Chicago contractor's license walks through it. Ask about insurance as well, using what a Chicago contractor should carry.
Then turn the winning bid into a written contract. Illinois law says that before work over $1,000 starts, the contractor must give you a written contract to sign that states the total cost, lists the parts and materials, and gives the business name and address (Illinois Home Repair and Remodeling Act). What the Act requires beyond that is covered in what your home repair contract must say.
Put it to use
Once your table is filled in, the right bid is usually the clear, specific one from a licensed contractor who explained the differences, not simply the cheapest. For the full hiring sequence, see the Chicago contractor hiring guide. If you want a bid from Akats that lists scope, materials and permit handling line by line, ask us for an estimate.
Common questions
No. A low bid can mean a smaller scope, cheaper or unlisted materials, or extras billed later. Compare the same scope line by line, check the license, and pick the bid that is clear and specific, not simply the lowest.
Three is a common practice because it shows the spread. What matters more is giving every contractor the same written scope so the bids can be compared. Check each contractor's license before you rely on a bid.
For home repair work over $1,000, Illinois requires a written contract that states the total cost, lists parts and materials with reasonable particularity, and gives the business name and address. Talk to an attorney about contract questions.
Sources
- Illinois General Assembly: Home Repair and Remodeling Act, 815 ILCS 513/15
- City of Chicago, Department of Buildings: Trade Licensing
Facts last checked: October 7, 2026.
This article explains general rules and common situations in Chicago. It is not legal advice, and City rules change. For a specific property, check with the Chicago Department of Buildings or a licensed professional.