A flooring quote is where contractors hide things. A one-number bid tells you nothing; a properly line-itemized quote tells you everything. Here's exactly what every line should say, where the padding usually lives, and the questions that turn a vague estimate into a real one.
The one-number quote is the red flag
If a contractor hands you a single number — "$11,400, all in" — you can't evaluate it, you can't compare it, and you can't tell what happens when the scope shifts. A real quote breaks the job into its parts so you can see what you're buying and what you're not. If you can't get a line-itemized version, that's your answer about the contractor.
The lines that should be on every quote
- Material — the actual product, with brand, line, thickness, and wear layer or species. "LVP" is not a spec; "6.5mm SPC, 22-mil wear layer, [brand/line]" is.
- Material waste factor — a real install orders 7–10% over (more for diagonal or pattern work). It should be stated, not buried.
- Labor — install labor, separate from material, ideally per square foot.
- Demo & haul-away — removing and disposing of the old floor, per square foot.
- Subfloor prep — self-leveling, patching, vapor barrier, moisture testing. This is the line that "surprise change orders" come from when it's missing.
- Transitions & trim — thresholds, reducers, quarter-round, baseboard reset. Count the doorways; each one is a transition.
- Furniture / appliance / toilet handling — what they move and what they don't.
- Timeline & payment schedule — start date, working days, and when each payment is due.
Where the padding hides
| Tactic | What it looks like | What to ask |
|---|---|---|
| The missing prep line | No subfloor/moisture line at all | "What happens if the slab isn't flat or reads wet?" |
| Vague material | "Premium LVP" with no brand/spec | "What's the exact product, thickness, and wear layer?" |
| The lowball start | Far below every other bid | "Is demo, prep, and trim included, or billed later?" |
| Cash-only / no contract | No written scope, no warranty | "Can I get this in writing with a workmanship warranty?" |
| The fat waste factor | 20%+ material overage | "Why is the waste factor this high for a straight lay?" |
The three questions that expose a lowball
- "Is subfloor prep included, and what's your plan if the slab tests wet or uneven?" A real installer has already taken a moisture reading and has an answer. A lowballer says "we'll deal with it if it comes up" — which is where the change order is born.
- "Who, exactly, installs it?" The price gap between bids is almost always labor. Subcontracted day-labor is cheaper and inconsistent. Ask whether the people who measured are the people who install.
- "What's the workmanship warranty, in writing?" No written warranty means no accountability after the check clears.
The Rule of Thumb
The cheapest bid and the most expensive bid are both usually telling you something. The cheapest one is often missing a line — prep, demo, trim — that becomes a change order later. The honest quote is the one that itemizes everything, names the actual product, includes the prep, and puts the warranty in writing. That's the one you can hold someone to. It's also exactly how we write ours.