How to get a good quote from a tradesperson

Short answerTo get a good quote from a tradesperson, give every trade the same clear written brief, ask for a written, itemised fixed quote (not an estimate) that states VAT, materials, timings, payment stages and what's excluded, and compare like for like. Two or three quotes is usually enough; under the Consumer Rights Act 2015 the work must be done with reasonable care and skill, and what you agreed in writing counts.

A good quote protects both you and the tradesperson. It means you know what you're paying for, they know what they've agreed to do, and there's far less room for an argument halfway through. This guide covers how to get a good quote from a tradesperson: how to brief them, how many quotes to get, what a builder's or trade quote should include, and how to compare them fairly.

It's written for any trade: electricians, plumbers, plasterers, carpenters and builders.

Quote or estimate? Know the difference

• A quote is a fixed price for a defined job. If the job doesn't change, the price shouldn't.
• An estimate is an educated guess. The final bill can be higher or lower.

Both are normal. Some work genuinely can't be priced exactly until it's opened up, like a hidden leak or old wiring under floors. But ask which one you're getting, and ask for it in writing. If you can, get a fixed quote with any uncertain parts priced separately (for example "£X per extra metre of pipe" or a day rate for unforeseen work).

Step 1: Write a clear brief

Tradespeople can only quote for what you tell them. Before anyone visits, write down:

• What you want done, room by room
• What you're supplying yourself (tiles, light fittings, a bathroom suite) and what they should supply
• Finish level: for example "skim and ready for paint" or "ready for wallpaper"
• Any constraints: dates, living in the house, pets, parking, access
• Who removes waste, and whether you need a skip

Give every trade the same brief. Otherwise you'll get quotes for different jobs and can't compare them.

Step 2: How many quotes should I get?

The common advice, including from WaterSafe for plumbers, is at least three quotes for anything significant. In practice:

• Small jobs (a socket, a tap, a door): one quote from someone recommended is often fine.
• Medium jobs (a bathroom, a rewire, a room replaster): two or three.
• Large jobs (extensions, full renovations): three, and take your time.

More than three rarely helps. Good tradespeople are busy, and a long ring-round costs everyone time. A recommendation from someone you trust can cut it down.

Step 3: Be a good customer to quote for

Good tradespeople choose their customers too. You'll get better quotes, faster, if you:

• are clear and honest about budget and timing
• are home for the visit and can show everything
• reply when they send the quote, even to say no
• don't ask them to price five different options unless you really need to

What should a builder's quote include?

Whatever the trade, a good written quote should include:

1. Business name, address and contact details
2. Your address and the date, plus how long the quote is valid for
3. A description of the work, ideally room by room or stage by stage
4. What's included: materials, labour, waste removal, making good
5. What's excluded: for example plastering after a rewire, decorating, or skip hire
6. The price, with VAT shown clearly (included, extra, or not VAT registered)
7. Provisional sums for anything uncertain, and how extra work will be priced
8. Start date and expected duration
9. Payment terms: deposit (if any), stage payments, final payment
10. Guarantees on workmanship and any manufacturer warranties
11. Certificates they'll provide, for example an Electrical Installation Certificate and Part P compliance for notifiable electrical work, or Gas Safe notification for a boiler

If anything's missing, ask for it to be added. That's normal, not awkward.

How to compare quotes

Don't just compare the bottom line. Line them up and check:

• Are they quoting for the same thing? A cheap quote often leaves out making good, materials or waste.
• What materials? A named brand and spec is better than "supply and fit radiator".
• How long will it take? Very fast can mean corners cut; very slow can mean they're overbooked.
• How did they come across? Did they listen, ask sensible questions and explain options?
• Are they properly registered? For electrics, see how to check an electrician is registered. For gas, see plumber or gas engineer.

Use our price guides as a sense check: house rewire, bathroom installation, skim a room, plasterer day rate, carpenter day rate and plumber hourly rate. These are typical ranges; your actual price comes from the quote.

If one quote is far lower than the others, ask why. Sometimes there's a good reason. Sometimes something's missing.

Your rights

In England, the Consumer Rights Act 2015 says that when you pay for a service, it must be done with reasonable care and skill. Things the trader tells you, in writing or verbally, about the service can be binding if you rely on them, which is another reason to get everything written down. If no price was agreed, you only have to pay a reasonable price, and if no time was agreed, the work should be done within a reasonable time.

If you agree a contract in your home (rather than at the trader's premises), the Consumer Contracts Regulations usually give you 14 days to cancel. If you want work to start within that period, the trader should ask you to request that, and you may have to pay for work already done if you then cancel.

Agreeing changes

Most jobs change a little. Agree any change in writing before the work is done, even by text or WhatsApp: what's changing, and what it costs. That one habit prevents most disputes.

Paying

• Avoid paying the whole amount up front.
• A deposit to cover materials on bigger jobs is common; get a receipt.
• Stage payments should match finished stages of work.
• Pay by card or bank transfer so there's a record.
• Hold the final payment until the job's finished and you have the certificates.

Getting a quote in Market Harborough

If you'd like a quote from one of the trades we used, an electrician, plumber, plasterer or carpenter, send us a few lines and some photos and we'll pass it on. We're not paid for recommendations. We just pass you to people we trust.

Message us on WhatsAppFree. We pass you straight to the tradesperson we trust.

Planning a bigger project? Read the order of trades in a house renovation and how a directory differs from a personal recommendation.