A big red flag is a quote that looks much cheaper than others but extremely vague on details. If the contractor gives you one or two lines for a full kitchen or bathroom – with no clear breakdown of materials, brands, quantities or labour – they may be leaving space to add costs later.

Another warning sign is when allowances for materials are clearly unrealistic. For example, they might budget a very low per-square-foot cost for tiles or countertops that doesn’t match the quality you actually want. This keeps the initial quote low, but the moment you choose anything decent, “extras” start piling up.

If payment terms are heavily front-loaded (large amounts demanded before much work is done), that’s also a concern. A fair schedule links payments to real progress.

The goal isn’t to pick the cheapest number, but the most honest one. When a quote seems too good to be true and lacks clarity, it often means you’ll pay the difference later – in money, stress, or both.