How to Compare Quotes Properly
Stop looking at the bottom line and start comparing what is actually included.
5 min read · Updated 2026
Key takeaways
- ›Compare the breakdown, not just the total.
- ›Check what is excluded, provisional and VAT-rated.
- ›A fixed-price quote is safer than a day-rate estimate for bigger jobs.
Ask every tradesperson to itemise
A single "total" figure tells you almost nothing. Ask each tradesperson to break the quote into labour, materials, scaffolding or hire, waste removal, and VAT. Only then can you see why one quote is cheaper — and whether that saving is real.
Mark anything marked "provisional" or "TBC" and ask for a fixed figure. Provisional sums are where budgets quietly explode later.
Watch for what is missing
A lower quote often simply excludes things the others include. Common omissions are skip hire, making good (plastering and decoration after the main work), VAT, and finishing trims. Add the missing items back in before you compare totals.
Also compare material specifications: one builder's "kitchen" is flat-pack units, another's is solid wood. Like-for-like means the same spec, not just the same label.
Make the decision
Once you have normalised the quotes, you can judge value rather than just price. The right choice is rarely the very cheapest or the very dearest — it is the one with a clear breakdown, sensible exclusions, and a tradesperson who answered your questions in writing.
Get the chosen quote confirmed in writing, including start date, completion date and payment stages, before any work begins.
Frequently asked
How many quotes should I get?
Three is the standard. Fewer and you cannot spot an outlier; more and you are wasting tradespeople's time.
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