How to Compare Remodeling Quotes in Maryland

A homeowner in Crofton sent us three kitchen quotes last month: $38,000, $61,000 and $94,000 for what she described as "the same kitchen." Nobody was ripping her off. The three contractors had priced three different projects, and none of the paperwork made that obvious. This is the most common situation we see in Anne Arundel and Howard County, and it is fixable in an evening with a pen and a spreadsheet.

Why Do Remodeling Quotes Vary So Much in Maryland?

Three quotes for one kitchen in Anne Arundel County can differ by 2x because each contractor priced a different scope, not because one is dishonest. A kitchen "remodel" spans three published tiers: a refresh that keeps the cabinets runs $15,000–$25,000, a full replacement in the same layout runs $30,000–$60,000, and a layout change with wall removal and custom cabinetry runs $65,000–$100,000. Unless the quote states which tier it prices, a low number often means a smaller project.

The spread usually comes from five places:

Scope. One quote assumes the cabinets stay and get painted; another replaces them; the third moves the sink and takes out a wall. All three are legitimately "a kitchen remodel."
Allowances and exclusions. A quote that carries a $12,000 cabinet allowance and a quote that says "cabinets by owner" differ by $12,000 before any labor is compared. Countertops, tile, fixtures, appliances and lighting are the usual suspects.
Permits and engineering. Removing a load-bearing wall in Maryland means an engineered beam, a stamped detail, and a county permit. That line alone runs $5,000–$15,000. A quote that skips it is not cheaper; it is unpermitted.
Who does the trade work. Licensed electricians and plumbers cost more than a helper who "does a bit of everything." The county inspector will notice the difference even if you do not.
Overhead. A design-build firm with a showroom, a sales team and advertising has to recover those costs in every contract. An owner-operator does not, but should not be the cheapest bid either if the scope is the same. See owner-operated vs. large remodeling company for the trade-offs.

How Do You Compare Remodeling Quotes Apples to Apples?

Write one scope sheet and ask every contractor to price the same lines. In a kitchen or bathroom the lines are: demolition and disposal, permit and inspections, rough plumbing, rough electrical, drywall and paint, flooring, tile, cabinets, countertops, fixtures and appliances, trim, and cleanup. Mark each line on each quote as included, excluded, or an allowance with a dollar figure. Only then compare totals.

List every line item from the most detailed quote. That becomes the master sheet.
Fill in the other two quotes against it. Where a quote is silent, call and ask. "Silent" almost always means "excluded."
Normalize the allowances. If contractor A carries $12,000 for cabinets and contractor B carries $6,000, add $6,000 to B or subtract from A so both price the same cabinets.
Add what is missing. If one quote skips the permit or the engineered beam, add the cost of getting it done properly. Now the numbers are honest.
Compare the labor that remains. After scope and allowances are equal, the gap between quotes is the real price difference. It is usually 10–20%, not 100%.

Our published cost guides give you the tier ranges to check each quote against: kitchen remodel cost in Maryland, bathroom remodel cost in Maryland, and deck cost in Maryland.

What Must a Maryland Remodeling Quote or Contract Include?

Maryland law requires an MHIC-licensed contractor to put any job over $500 in a written contract that states the contractor's name, address and MHIC number, a description of the work, the total price and payment schedule, start and completion dates, and the materials by type and grade. For home-signed contracts it must also state your right to cancel within 3 business days. A quote missing those items is not ready to sign.

Beyond the legal minimum, a quote you can actually compare also states:

Every allowance as a dollar figure, and what happens if you spend over or under it.
A change-order procedure: written, priced and signed before the extra work starts.
Who pulls the permit and who meets the inspector.
The workmanship warranty in writing. PRG's is a 1-year workmanship warranty on labor, with manufacturer warranties on materials passed through to you.
Whether the price includes dumpster, floor protection and daily cleanup, or whether those show up later.

Is the Lowest Remodeling Quote a Red Flag?

A quote 30–40% below the others is usually a smaller scope, a missing permit, unlicensed trade labor, or a contractor who plans to make up the gap in change orders. Before you take it, find what is missing on the scope sheet. If nothing is missing and the license and insurance check out, it may simply be a contractor with low overhead. That happens. It is just not the most common explanation.

The highest quote is not automatically the best either. Ask what the extra money buys: a designer, a dedicated project manager, better cabinets, or just a larger building to pay for.

How Should the Payment Schedule Look on a Maryland Remodel?

Maryland caps the deposit an MHIC contractor can take at one-third of the contract price. PRG's schedule is lower than the cap: a 10–15% deposit to hold the start date and order materials, 30–40% when demolition is complete, 30–40% when rough plumbing and electrical pass inspection, and the balance at the final walkthrough. Every payment follows work you can see. A quote asking for 50% up front is asking for something the law does not allow.

How Does PRG Price a Project?

Anton Sergeev, the owner, walks the job in person, measures, and looks for the things that change the price: subfloor condition, panel capacity, plumbing routing, HOA rules. The written estimate is line-itemed, allowances are stated as dollar figures, and the county permit is included and pulled in PRG's name (MHIC #113057). Because Anton is the one who builds it, the estimate is not a salesperson's guess that a crew has to live with later. Estimates are free across Anne Arundel County and Howard County. Call 443-856-5379 or use the online estimate tool for a starting range.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many quotes should I get for a remodel in Maryland?

Three is enough when all three price the same written scope. Five quotes for five different scopes teach you less than three for one. Give each contractor the same scope sheet, the same photos and the same selections, and you will get numbers you can actually compare in Anne Arundel or Howard County.

Should I tell a contractor what the other quotes were?

Not the numbers. Tell them what the other quotes included so they can price the same scope. A contractor who lowers a price the moment they hear a competitor's number had room in it to begin with, which tells you something about the first quote.

How long is a remodeling quote valid in Maryland?

Most written quotes in Maryland hold for 30 days. Cabinet, tile and composite decking prices move seasonally, so a quote older than 30–60 days is usually re-priced before contract. Ask each contractor to state the validity period on the quote itself.

Why does one quote include a permit and another does not?

Any kitchen or bathroom work that moves plumbing, adds an electrical circuit or touches structure needs a permit in both Anne Arundel and Howard County. A quote that leaves it out is either assuming cosmetic-only work or planning to skip it. Ask which. Unpermitted work surfaces at resale and is expensive to correct.