How to Compare Renovation Quotes: A Homeowner's Checklist

A quotation is not a product spec sheet. It is a contractor's interpretation of the work you have described. Two builders can look at the same room and price it differently because they have assumed different finishes, timings, or responsibilities.

The first step is to stop comparing the headline price and start comparing the assumptions behind it.

A low daily rate can hide a long programme or a narrow scope. Look at the total contract price and then ask what it includes. If one quote is labour-only and another is supply-and-fix, the difference may be materials, not value.

• Is the price fixed, estimated, or a day-rate collection?
• Does it include VAT, or is VAT added at the end?
• Are there provisional sums for items not yet priced?
• Is there a separate line for materials, waste removal or scaffolding?

The scope is the most important part of any quote. It should describe what will be done, where, and to what standard. If one quote says "prep and decorate three rooms" and another lists "strip, fill, prime, two coats, woodwork and radiators", the second is more specific — and probably more expensive for a reason.

• Does each room or trade have its own description?
• Are finishes named by product or brand, or left as "client's choice"?
• Who is responsible for making good, cleaning and waste disposal?
• Does the scope match what you discussed and what you wrote in your brief?

Exclusions protect the contractor from scope creep, but they also create gaps you may have to fill. Common exclusions include building control fees, structural drawings, moving furniture, and making good after a third party's work.

Assumptions are the contractor's silent guesses. They include things like "existing electrics are safe", "walls are straight and plumb", or "access is available Monday to Friday". If those assumptions are wrong, the price can change.

• What does the contractor assume about existing conditions?
• Is there a contingency for concealed defects?
• Are working hours, parking and access assumptions stated?

A quote with a good price but a start date in four months may not fit your schedule. Ask for the estimated duration in working days or weeks, and whether the contractor is committed to that window or whether it is indicative.

• How long is the work expected to take?
• Is there a penalty or remedy for delay?
• Will the contractor work continuously or dip in and out?

Payment terms affect risk. A large upfront deposit shifts risk to you. Stage payments linked to visible progress are safer. The final retention should be released only after snagging is complete.

• What percentage is due upfront, if any?
• Are stage payments tied to dates or milestones?
• Is VAT payable on each stage or only on the final invoice?
• How long is the snagging period and when is the final payment released?

Warranty cover varies widely. One contractor may offer a 12-month workmanship guarantee; another may offer 10 years on structural work. Look also at whether the contractor holds public liability insurance and employer's liability insurance.

• What is the warranty period for workmanship and materials?
• Are warranty claims handled directly or through a third party?
• Is insurance cover and expiry date mentioned?
• Does any product warranty require registration or specific maintenance?

The best comparison tool is a short email or conversation that clears up the differences you have found. Keep questions specific and refer back to the quote itself.

• "Quote A includes X; your quote does not mention it. Is it included?"
• "Your quote assumes the existing floor is level. What happens if it is not?"
• "Can you confirm the £Y provisional sum covers the fittings we discussed?"
• "What is excluded from the final clean?"

KnowMyQuote reads your renovation quotes the way you would — line by line — and turns them into a clear comparison. Upload one quotation for a review, or upload up to five to compare side by side.

Every finding is linked back to the exact page and wording in your document, and anything that cannot be identified is reported as "Not clearly stated" rather than guessed. There are no assumptions and nothing is invented.