The cheapest quote can be a perfectly good deal. It can also be the one that forgot to mention IVA, taking away the old kitchen or repairing the walls afterwards. A price only becomes useful when you know what it buys.
Give everyone the same job to price
Write a brief with dimensions, photos, the finish you want and any access problems. Include the parts people tend to leave vague: demolition, disposal, protection, cleaning and making good.
If a contractor proposes a different approach, ask them to explain it separately. You may prefer their solution, but you need to know you're comparing different jobs rather than simply different prices.
Check what's included
Ask whether IVA is included. Look for named materials or a usable specification, rather than ‘good quality tiles’. Check travel, delivery, parking, lifting equipment and waste removal. An allowance for a product isn't a fixed price for whichever version you later choose.
If one offer is far cheaper, ask what accounts for the difference. It may reflect a different method, supplier or scope. Establish that before accepting; an exclusion becomes harder to negotiate once work has begun.
Agree how changes will be handled
Hidden damage may mean extra work. Agree that the contractor will show you the problem, explain the proposed repair and price its effect on the job before proceeding, where it is safe to pause. Keep your approval in writing so neither side has to rely on memory.
Check the timetable and payment stages
Ask when the job can start, how long it should take and what could delay it. Confirm who handles permissions and certificates. Tie payments to identifiable stages, so you know what has been ordered or completed when a payment becomes due.
Before you go ahead
- Same brief issued
- IVA status clear
- Materials specified
- Exclusions and allowances listed
- Milestones and variations written
Common questions
How many quotes should I obtain?
For significant work, several comparable quotations can reveal scope and pricing differences. Specialist emergencies may allow less choice, making written authorisation and records even more important.
What if the contractor finds hidden damage?
Pause, request photographs and a written variation explaining the new work, price and time effect before authorising it where safety permits.
Sources and further reading
Official information checked on 12 October 2026. Rules and procedures can change; verify the live source for your exact circumstances.