Real Contractor Bids, Torn Down Line by Line
The fastest way to learn what an inflated bid looks like is to see one. We take representative Southern California estimates and break them down item by item — showing what each line was quoted, what's fair in 2026, and exactly where the markups and red flags hide.
Kitchen Remodel
A ~200 sq ft kitchen with mid-range finishes in the San Gabriel Valley. One contractor quoted $72,400. Here's that bid line by line, with fair 2026 ranges next to each item.
Read the teardownBathroom Remodel
A full gut of a 5×8 hall bathroom (~40 sq ft) with mid-range finishes in Long Beach. The quote came in at $38,900. Here it is line by line.
Read the teardownADU Construction
A detached, ground-up 600 sq ft one-bedroom ADU in Los Angeles. The quote was $295,000 — about $492 per sq ft. Here's the breakdown.
Read the teardownRoof Replacement
A tear-off and re-roof of a single-story home with ~20 squares (2,000 sq ft) of architectural asphalt shingle in Orange County. The quote was $24,800.
Read the teardownWhy homeowners trust our read on a bid
We don't work for the contractor
Keystone is an independent advisor. Contractors don't pay us to be recommended, so our read on your bid has no angle.
Every contractor is verified
CSLB license checked, insurance confirmed in real time through TrustLayer, bond and complaint history reviewed.
References actually called
We ask past clients the uncomfortable questions. Fewer than 1 in 10 contractors who apply make it into the network.
On your side of the table
Bid reviews and contractor matching cost you nothing — ever.
Want us to tear down your bid?
Send us your contractor estimate and we'll flag the markups and missing lines, then match you with up to 3 vetted contractors for a real comparison.
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