Homeowner tool
Quote Clarity Check
Two builder quotes rarely price the same job. This check looks past the headline figures at what each quote actually covers, what it leaves open, and where your money is still exposed — then gives you the questions to send back.
Before you begin
A longer quote is not the same as a safer quote.
This check does not tell you who is cheapest. It looks at whether two quotations are genuinely comparable, where the scope differs, what has been left unpriced, and how much of your money is still exposed to figures that have not been agreed. A three-page document full of technical detail can still have no total project cost.
- Clarity, commercial certainty and technical detail scored separately
- A scope matrix showing what each quote actually covers
- Flagged wording explained in plain English
- Questions you can send each builder
Please read
This tool is decision support, not legal, structural or contractual advice. It reads the words in front of it and explains where money and scope are left open. Confirm structural design, building control requirements and contract terms with the relevant professionals before you commit to any work.
Common questions
Comparing quotes, in plain English
How do I compare two builder quotes properly?
Compare scope before price. Check that both quotes cover the same list of works, are on the same VAT basis, and each state one total project cost. Two figures are only comparable once they describe the same job.
Is a detailed quote always a safer quote?
No. A long, professional-looking quotation can still be commercially incomplete if major elements are unpriced or there is no total project cost. Technical detail and commercial certainty are separate things.
What does 'to be priced later' mean in a builder's quote?
It means that element is named but not costed, so the final figure is still open. Ask what information the builder needs to price it, and what range you should budget for in the meantime.
What if a quote has no total project cost?
Treat it as an incomplete price rather than a cheap one. Ask for one overall figure in writing covering everything discussed before you agree to start.
Still weighing something up?
The Clinic's guidance covers what happens after you choose a builder too — variations, payments and unexpected extra costs.