BidLens analyzes your contractor bid like an expert would — checking the pricing, the specs, the red flags, and the fine print. In about 30 seconds.
Here's what your contractor doesn't want you to see:
This bid is severely overpriced at $185/sqft — nearly double the fair market range of $70–100/sqft for composite decking in Richmond VA. Recommend getting 2–3 additional quotes.
$184/sqft — extreme outlier for Richmond VA composite deck
Fair range is $70–100/sqft. This is classic "don't want the job" pricing.
60% deposit upfront — industry standard is 10–30%
High upfront payment increases financial risk if contractor abandons project.
Trex tier not specified — Enhance vs Transcend is a 2x price difference
Ask which product line is being quoted to verify material costs.
No permit mentioned for elevated structure
8-foot elevated decks require permits in most jurisdictions.
1-year labor warranty — standard is 2+ years
Below industry standard for this scope and investment level.
Demo broken out as separate line item — good transparency
Separating demo costs helps with scope comparison across bids.
Railing includes linear footage — good specification
Specifying by LF makes it easier to verify scope and pricing.
This analysis took 31 seconds and cost the homeowner nothing.
You got a bid. Maybe two or three. The numbers are all over the place and you don't know if that's normal or if someone's trying to take advantage of you.
The paperwork is full of terms you don't recognize. Ledger board attachment. Joist spacing. You're not sure what questions to even ask.
And somewhere in the back of your mind is that story you heard — the one where someone paid a deposit and the contractor never came back.
PDF, photo, or just paste the text. Any format works.
Pricing vs. regional benchmarks. Structural specs. Red flags. Fine print.
Not a spreadsheet. A plain-English verdict with exactly what to do next.
We check your bid against real data from hundreds of projects in your region. Not national averages — actual prices paid by homeowners like you, for projects like yours.
Missing permit language. Vague material specs. A deposit structure that's a red flag. We find the things buried in the fine print that most people miss until it's too late.
Every analysis comes with a plain-English list of questions to ask your contractor before you sign. You'll walk into that conversation knowing more than they expect.