Compare the scope, not just the quote.

Send the same brief to each candidate

A comparable quote starts with a comparable brief. Describe the proposed route, the pets’ measurement record, the surface and the questions still open. Include photographs of both sides and the current product documentation if you have selected a candidate model. Mark household measurements as preliminary so they are not mistaken for professionally confirmed ordering dimensions.

Explain practical constraints: owner permission, occupied rooms, pets needing separation from the work area and preferred timing. Ask each candidate to identify what they need to inspect before giving a firm scope. This publication does not maintain an endorsed installer list and has not tested or certified contractors.

Check identity and the relevant experience

The FTC’s contractor guidance recommends verifying licensing with the relevant state or county, asking for proof of insurance and obtaining multiple written estimates. Ask about experience with the actual material and assembly involved, including who will perform specialist glass or other subcontracted work.

Keep your own notes of what was verified, by whom and on what date. A directory listing or a familiar product logo is a starting point for a question, not a substitute for these checks. Ask for relevant references and assess them yourself without treating unverified online reviews as proof of workmanship.

Break the price into a clear scope

Separate stated prices from allowances and exclusions. Ask how hidden conditions or a change in scope will be documented before extra work is authorized. If two quotes differ substantially, compare these items before concluding that either one is expensive or incomplete.

Resolve specialist questions before committing

For a glass project, identify the glazier and ask who specifies and orders the glazing. Hale’s In-Glass product requires professional installation and excludes glass from its product price. For a wall project, ask who assesses concealed construction and services and who is responsible for the finished exterior.

If painted surfaces may be disturbed in an older home, ask how the contractor will assess applicable lead-safe renovation requirements. The EPA’s consumer information is a starting point for that discussion. Permission, licensing and contract requirements vary by location; confirm the requirements for your actual project.

Plan the handover before installation day

Request written scope, timing, payment stages and warranty responsibilities before committing. The FTC cautions against pressure to decide immediately and paying everything upfront. Read the full agreement and resolve empty or ambiguous items before signing.

At handover, ask the installer to demonstrate normal operation and explain care, access control and signs that warrant a service call. Keep the final product identification, instructions, approval records where applicable and contact details. Record any unfinished item and the agreed next action. Your comparison sheet should end with a clear responsibility record, not an unsupported “best installer” ranking.