Compare complete installation quotes

Request the same scope

Ask each provider to identify the model, capacity or performance rating, removal and disposal, installation labor, required connections, and any work excluded from the price.

Clarify responsibility

Ask who confirms permit requirements, arranges inspections when applicable, and handles warranty service. Request payment terms and the process for approving extra work in writing.

Keep your notes

Record what matters most: available hot water, operating cost, space, installation disruption or warranty support. Avoid choosing on advertised equipment price alone.

A side-by-side worksheet

Use the same categories for each provider. A blank item is a question to ask, not a zero-dollar allowance.

Compare total scope before comparing totals

When two prices differ, ask whether the proposals include the same equipment and work. A separate electrical visit, venting change or repair to finished surfaces can make a headline price incomplete. Do not assume a cheaper proposal is missing work; ask the provider to explain it.

Record the provider’s answer alongside the quote. Before accepting, make sure the written scope reflects the explanation and that the payment schedule and change process are clear.

Use the installation-space checklist before the visit, and bring your peak-hour demand estimate.