Good / Better / Best Estimates: Win Bigger Jobs Without Haggling
Updated October 18, 2026 · 5 min read
A single price invites one question: is it too high? Three options change the question to which one is right for me. Here's how contractors build Good / Better / Best estimates that close.
Why three options work
With one price, the customer compares you to the next bid. With three, they compare your options to each other - and many pick the middle one. You also stop leaving money on the table with customers who would have paid for the upgrade if you'd offered it.
How to build the tiers
Keep the shared work identical across all three so the comparison is about what changes.
- Good: the job done right to code with standard materials - a price you're happy to do the work for.
- Better: the option you'd recommend - longer-lasting materials, a better warranty or a feature most customers want.
- Best: everything - premium materials, extras and the longest warranty. Some customers will take it, and it makes Better look reasonable.
Present it so they choose
Show what's included in every option once, then only the differences for each tier. Lead with the outcome (a roof that lasts 50 years), not the part number. Show the total and, when you offer financing, the monthly payment.
Make it easy to say yes on the spot: a link where the customer picks an option, signs and pays the deposit beats a PDF they have to print.
Sentinel Nexus sends Good / Better / Best estimates the customer approves online - with a 3D view of their job, an e-signature and the deposit.
Start freeFrequently asked questions
Which option do most customers pick?
The middle option is the most common choice - which is why Better should be the one you recommend.
Should I take a deposit?
A deposit when the customer approves locks in the job and covers materials. Taking it online right after they sign removes the back-and-forth.