How to read a contractor quote (and what's missing)
Most contractor quotes tell you the price. Few tell you what you're actually getting. Here's what to look for, what to demand, and how to compare quotes on equal terms.
The one-line quote problem
You asked for a quote to fix your drainage. The contractor sends: “Drainage repair: EUR 1,200.”
Is that good? Bad? Fair? You have no idea — because the quote tells you nothing except the price. And a price without context is meaningless.
What a useful quote contains
Before you can compare quotes — or even evaluate a single one — you need these elements:
- Scope of work. What exactly will be done? “Fix drainage” is not a scope. “Replace 4m of gutter on north facade, including two downpipe connections and sealant at joints” is a scope.
- Materials. What materials will be used? Brand, type, quality. This matters for both durability and warranty.
- Method. How will the work be done? Does it require scaffolding? Equipment rental? Access to the roof?
- Timeline. When will work start? How long will it take? What happens if it runs over?
- Hourly rate for extras. What happens when the contractor opens the wall and finds something unexpected? What’s the hourly rate for additional work?
- Subcontractor fees. Is the quoting contractor doing all the work themselves, or subcontracting parts of it?
- Warranty. What warranty covers the work? Duration? Conditions? Does the product warranty differ from the workmanship warranty?
- Site visit. Did the contractor actually come and look before quoting? A quote without a site visit is a guess.
The site visit matters
A contractor who quotes without visiting is estimating. Sometimes that’s fine for simple, standardised work. But for anything involving existing structures — where they need to see the condition, access, and context — a site visit is essential.
If a contractor won’t do a site visit before quoting, they’re either too busy to take your job seriously, or they’re planning to “discover” complications on-site and charge you for them.
Comparing quotes: beyond the price
When you have three quotes, the temptation is to pick the cheapest. Resist.
Price is one dimension. Here are the others:
| Factor | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Warranty duration | A EUR 1,400 job with a 7-year warranty may be cheaper per year than a EUR 1,000 job with a 3-year warranty |
| Hourly rate for extras | The cheapest quote with the highest hourly rate for unforeseen work can end up being the most expensive |
| Disruption | How long will the work take? Do you need to vacate? Will they need access on multiple days? |
| Materials quality | Cheaper materials may mean shorter lifespan and earlier replacement |
| Subcontracting | If the contractor subcontracts, you have less control and a more complex warranty chain |
Warranty-adjusted cost
For major work, calculate the cost per year of warranty:
Annual cost = Quote price / Warranty duration in years| Contractor | Quote | Warranty | Annual cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| A | EUR 3,200 | 5 years | EUR 640/year |
| B | EUR 4,100 | 7 years | EUR 586/year |
| C | EUR 2,800 | 3 years | EUR 933/year |
Contractor B, the most expensive upfront, is the cheapest per year of coverage. Contractor C, the cheapest upfront, is the most expensive when you account for warranty.
Red flags in quotes
Watch for:
- No breakdown. A single lump sum with no line items means you can’t verify what you’re paying for.
- Vague scope. “Repair as needed” or “fix and make good” are not scopes. They’re blank cheques.
- No warranty mentioned. If it’s not in the quote, it’s not in the deal.
- Dramatically lower than others. If one quote is 40% below the others, they’re either cutting corners on materials, underestimating the scope, or planning to charge extras later.
- No site visit. For anything beyond a simple repair, a quote without a site visit is unreliable.
The comparison request
When requesting quotes, send the same brief to all contractors. Include:
- Description of the problem (symptom, not solution)
- Relevant photos
- Equipment details if applicable
- Deadline for quotes
- Desired start date
- A request for all the elements listed above (materials, method, warranty, hourly rate for extras)
Standardising the request means you get comparable responses. Otherwise you’re comparing a two-line email with a detailed proposal, and neither tells you what you need to know.