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Bid Fairness Checker

Outdoor Living & Hardscapes bid fairness checker.

In 2026.Q2, a fair concrete patio installation bid runs $3,272 to $4,051 nationally against a true cost to deliver of $3,116. Paste a contractor bid below and the checker grades it against that band, the verified floor, and wage-adjusted numbers for your metro.

Independent FatBook v3 cost indexVerified permit/source data where availableReviewed by Leonard "Chuck" Thompson
Run Your Bid

Is your outdoor living & hardscapes bid fair?

Cost index by David Olson · reviewed by Leonard "Chuck" Thompson · 2026.Q2
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Drag the bar or type your number. The gauge shows where it lands against verified data.
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National Average
Within the fair range.
Fair range
Fair range$3,272 to $4,051
Typical bid$3,876
Verified floor$3,272
Your bid$3,876
Gap to floor$604
Contractor margin19.6%
Fair range. The verified floor is the counter-offer anchor. Most homeowners save by asking contractors to match it.
How the Verdict Works

Built, not guessed.

The checker rebuilds the job from primary data: Craftsman hours at your metro's loaded BLS wage, FRED PPI materials, the verified permit fee, and NAHB overhead. That sum is the cost to deliver. A fair bid sits 5 percent over it at the lean floor and roughly 30 percent at the premium ceiling, scaled by your metro. Read the full methodology.

FAQ

Bid checker questions.

What is a fair price for concrete patio installation?+
In 2026.Q2, a fair concrete patio installation bid runs $3,272 to $4,051 nationally. The cost to deliver sits at $3,116, and an honest margin lands roughly 5 to 30 percent above it depending on the metro.
What does the checker compare my bid against?+
Every benchmark is built, not scraped: Craftsman labor hours times BLS metro wages with burden, FRED PPI-adjusted materials, verified city permit fees, and NAHB overhead. The verdict places your number on a ladder from below cost to premium against the fair band for your metro.
Is a bid far below the cost to deliver a good deal?+
Usually the opposite. A bid below the cost to deliver means someone is cutting scope, insurance, or quality to get there, and the checker flags it as below cost rather than calling it a bargain.
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Cost index built by David Olson, Creator of the Cost Index & Permit Dataset · Methodology reviewed by Leonard "Chuck" Thompson, LC Thompson Construction Co., Owner (retired) · 2026.Q2