Wow...that is a big difference. Good luck in your decision.

The 2nd contractor's price is about what the charge would be here. But that is because our ground can heave when it freezes then thaws during the winter. Ask both what thickness the slab is that they would be pouring.

You may need more than three bids to see the whole picture. Look at the specs as well as the dollars. I sometimes try to think how many man hours are required to do the work to get an idea on labor, costs the most fluid part of a bid. The materials are easier to compare. I've usually seen a cluster in the mid-range, with someone 'too cheap' and someone just about saying that he doesn't want the job, but will do it for a king's ransom.

AND find out how they warranty their work!!!

and check their record with your state registrar of contractors!

Get on Nextdoor and ask for recommendations or do a search. You may get a good recommendation or be able to avoid someone who isn't good.

Adellabedella, I did that awhile ago and got random guys' names, not really companies. I posted on Facebook and got a reply from someone who's son works for a roofer in Lexington but they have a lot of bad reviews. Others online have no reviews. I don't know if I trust anyone not willing to show any reviews.

Word of Mouth is the best advertisement you can get. When there is such a large disparity, it is definitely worth looking into. Go with that gut feel that tells you something seems to be "off" here.

I once got a quote, for a concrete driveway, that was double a previous quote. When I asked the guy, "Why?".... he said he didn't need the business. It could be just as simple as that.....or.....?

When I looked around the neighborhood, people "loved" their concrete job/it was crap! The concrete driveways weren't holding up. They were pocked or peeling.

You might want to go look at someones previous work too.

Did either contractor give you a cost breakdown -- labor vs material, etc?

I agree with Lukki. We are in the process of renovating our Florida home,

We ask each contractor for suggestions for other areas. One contractor knew the painter, the painter knew the plantation shutter guy etc.

That said, we have been given references that didn’t pan out. And yes, huge discrepancies between prices.

I am lucky in that DH knows construction and understands costs.

We received an estimate of 48-60,000 for a bathroom! We actually went to the presentation for a laugh.

Another company wanted 30-36. Still way too high.

You want someone honest who will do the job right. Yet not price gauge.

As a rough guide for regular household work: labor cost should approximately equal materials cost. If one side or the other is out of whack, question why.

Gotcha on Nextdoor. We have enough neighbors around here that Nextdoor will make or break you as a business. We have gotten some good recommendations.

I’ve gotten mostly good refs on my local Facebook page. Only downside is that some contractors all recommend each other, so the stoneworker recommends the landscaper who recommends the window installer. They’re all drumming up business for each other. I only take recommendations from homeowners who have no other interest. Sometimes contractors give you big estimates because they don’t really want the job unless they can make a big profit.

If you don't have an accurate and detailed design plan of the work you want done, you are inclined to get estimates that are all over the ballpark!! That's because the different contractors are basing their estimates on their impression of what you want to have done and how it would look and that could be pretty different from what you actually intend and from what any other contractors may interpret as well. So it's comparing apples and oranges.

Without a detailed, to-scale plan in hand, you are never going to be able to evaluate what a reasonable cost is going to be. It needs to call out the layout of the proposed patio, the square footage, the type of materials to be used and how the wooden roof structure will be constructed and attached to the patio pad. Once you have that, potential contractors will be bidding on the same exact project rather than what they imagine it to be.

And you always want to get at least 3 estimates for any major household project, including landscaping. Unless you have a favored contractor you know and whose work you respect.

Do you have confidence in Yelp? I use it whenever I need someone and haven't had a bad contractor yet.

For concrete ask thickness of the slab and what mix ratio they are going to use. And that the are using rebar. I have seen a few cheap ones that have mostly a watery mix very little gravel in the mix and no rebar. It won't last long at all.

I'm already tired. lol. I messaged the first two contractors for more detailed information so we'll see. Also looking for a third.

I empathize with you, Kathsgrdn. It's a real chore for the average homeowner to spend all the time and energy trying to get bids and mulling them over, when we have only a vague grasp of what's needed.

I had to laugh at your "I'm already tired." I know how it is, you finally get moving on a project and make the calls and actually connect with the contractors. A few years ago when we were going to remodel our kids' bathroom, I must have called like 10 contractors........I think maybe 5 called back, 3 showed up, and I think really only one followed through with an estimate!

2nd contractor just left. He is giving me an estimate in writing today. He also came down on the price for wood or concrete to $18,000. This also includes a replacement for the wooden mini deck that's in front of my sunroom. He brought Trex samples and showed me one they are working on now that is gray. It's beautiful. 20 year warranty. I may live that long. The Trex would be $21,000, including the extra mini deck. He brought all warranty, insurance information in writing too.

1st contractor hasn't gotten back to me. Also no contact from multiple other contractors I have contacted to come and give me an estimate. I think I am just going to go with the 2nd one. Better communication. He went over specific materials he would use and why. He also answered all my questions. Unlike contractor #1. 2nd contractor also said he requires $1 only to start projects. I only pay when each project is done. I got estimates for roof, porch, eave with bird nest damage, windows, door fix for storage building and building a door to crawlspace. He also brought a window and porch roof material sample for me to look at.

Much to be said about the lack of communication from the others... run from them! If they can't get back to you about a job they don't even have yet, think about what they'll do if they are working for you and you have a problem.

It may just be that they are already quite busy with existing projects and they either a) don't have the time or b) the OP's job is outside their scope (too big or too small).

Kaths, you are a strong lady dealing with your remodeling. We got so blest last year. We were starting to figure out a remodeling for kitchen. We were almost reeling at the bids. Fortunately,we had a plumbing issue. Our plumber gave us the name of a person he used. We had to wait for him to finish job he was on, this person was the best craftsman ever. He was there every day and making sure his job was to our satisfaction. He ask us when we agreed to the job if we minded him coming at 7 every morning. About 6:45 every morning his truck would pull in. I really owe our plumber big time for recommendation. It was smooth sailing start to finish. Hope you will be as fortunate.