Comparing renovation quotes: what to ask a builder before you sign
One quote is a single page and another runs to ten. Here is how to make sense of them before you sign anything.
You have had builders through, and now you have quotes that look nothing alike. One is a single page with a total, another runs to ten pages, and the prices are miles apart. Here is how to make sense of them, and what to ask before you sign anything.
Quote or estimate?
An estimate is a rough idea of the price. A quote is meant to be a price for a clearly described job. Ask each builder which one you are getting, what could change the price and how changes would be handled. If part of the job cannot be priced until the walls are opened up, a good quote says so and does not leave it out.
Do builders charge for quotes?
Many builders quote for free. For bigger or more complex jobs, some charge for plans, design work or a detailed quote, and some take that off the price if you go ahead. Ask before the site visit so there are no surprises.
What a good renovation quote includes
- The business name, ABN, contact details and licence number.
- A clear description of the work, room by room or stage by stage.
- The fixtures, fittings, materials and finishes allowed for, and who supplies them.
- What is included, such as demolition, rubbish removal, plumbing, electrical and clean up.
- What is excluded.
- Any allowances, such as an amount for tiles or tapware you have not picked yet.
- Who organises approvals, if any are needed.
- The expected start date and how long the job should take.
- The payment schedule, and how long the quote is valid for.
Questions to ask before you sign
- Is this a fixed price, or could it change? What would make it change?
- How are changes to the job priced and agreed? Ask for any change in writing, with its cost, before the work is done.
- Who will be on site, and who is my main contact?
- Who does the plumbing, electrical and waterproofing, and are they licensed?
- What insurance do you have?
- What happens if you find something unexpected, like water damage or rot?
- How will the rest of the house be protected, and will we need to move out of a room or go without water for a while?
- What warranty comes with the work?
How to compare quotes fairly
Put the quotes side by side and check they are for the same job. A cheaper quote may have left things out, used allowances that are too low or allowed for different materials. A dearer one may include things the others do not. If one quote is much lower than the rest, ask what is not in it.
If every quote comes in higher than you hoped, ask what could bring it down. Keeping the layout, choosing different finishes or doing the work in stages can all help.
Price matters, and so does how the builder communicates. Did they listen to what you wanted? Did they answer your questions straight? Would you be comfortable having them in your home for weeks?
How many quotes should you get?
Enough to feel confident, and not so many that it takes months. A pile of quotes from builders who never saw the job is worth less than one based on a proper look. What matters is that each quote comes from someone who understood what you want.
Contracts, deposits and insurance
Each state has its own rules for home building and renovation work. They cover when you need a written contract, how much can be taken as a deposit and when insurance such as home warranty insurance is needed. These often depend on the value of the job. Check with your state fair trading or building authority so you know what applies before you sign.
Why a quote that is too good can cost you
A very low price can be a warning sign. It may mean the builder missed something, plans to claim it back through variations later, or is cutting corners. Ask them to walk you through how they reached the number. A good builder will be happy to explain it.
Where BettaConnect fits
BettaConnect connects homeowners with trusted local builders. You tell us about your project and we confirm the scope, budget and timing. Then we introduce you to one builder who suits the job. Because the opportunity goes to one builder, you are not fielding calls from a crowd, and the builder is quoting on a project they already understand. You still decide who to hire, and you can compare their quote against any others you collect.
