Tips to Get Precise and Fair Quotes from Builders

Exterior of a house after a detailed renovation.

Researching and comparing builder quotes is a time-consuming task. But it’s a necessary step to ensure that you’re getting the best deal.

Knowing exactly what you’re looking for is key so you can choose a realistic and reasonable quote for your home project.

Here are my top three tips from my 20 years of experience in the construction business:

1.Know what you’re asking.

Are you asking for an estimate or a quote? Oftentimes, people confuse these terms used for pricing a job. 

  • An estimate is a professional but quick and non-binding assessment of what your renovation job might cost. So oftentimes, an estimate is free — and it’s unreliable too. 

  • A quote is a fixed price based on a thorough analysis of your project. It’s based on labor and material costs, and it gives you a clear understanding of how much it will cost.

2. Avoid getting choice fatigue.

Choose 3 reputable builders to request quotes from. Check their websites or brochures for reviews or recommendations from homeowners. 

Provide your potential builders with the necessary information to assess the project accurately.

3. Give your potential builders the necessary information.

They will need preliminary documents such as detailed drawings, engineering structural designs, the scope of works, and so on to accurately assess the project. So make sure you have those. We’ve covered this in my previous email, so feel free to access that list anytime. (Sure Space can help you acquire these!)

Conclusion

All of this can feel overwhelming, I know. But be assured that Sure Space is here to support you through the process — from acquiring your preliminary documents to providing you with a thorough and realistic quote for your home project to turning your vision into reality.

Email me (darren@surespace.com.au) or call me (0434 114 404) anytime so we can explore how Sure Space can be of help!

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