The Basic Structure Every Builder’s Quote Should Follow
- timrhamlett
- 6 days ago
- 4 min read
Before assessing what’s in the quote, check how the document is presented. A professional quotation should include:
Project name and client details
Issue date and reference number
Drawings/specifications referenced
Clear breakdown of works
Summary of total cost with VAT clarity
Payment terms and stage breakdowns
Programme duration or completion timeframe
List of exclusions or assumptions
If any of these basics are missing, it’s a red flag. It suggests the builder has not approached the job with enough rigour.
Before you sign a contract, get your quote checked by a Chartered Quantity Surveyor – call 01270 323 515 or email info@kingsmeadconsultants.co.uk.
Key Elements Your Quote Should Include (Line-by-Line)
Let’s break down the critical sections of a contractor’s quote:
1. Preliminaries
Prelims cover the setup and management of the project. This includes:
Site welfare and security
Scaffolding and access equipment
Project management and supervision
Temporary works
Health and safety provisions
Common issue: Underpriced prelims are a tactic to keep the quote total low. These often come back as variations later.
2. Work Sections (Trade Breakdowns)
Each trade should be priced separately:
Demolition and enabling works
Groundworks and drainage
Structural works (brickwork, steel, concrete)
Roofing, windows and doors
Internal works: partitions, plastering, flooring, joinery
M&E: electrical, heating, plumbing
Decoration and finishes
Each section should show a labour and materials split, not just a single lump sum.
3. PC Sums and Provisional Items
If the design is incomplete, the builder may include Provisional Costs (PC sums). These must be clearly identified. For example:
Kitchen allowance: £15,000 supply only
Bathroom fit-out: £8,000
Tiling: £25 per m² provisional rate
Warning: If these sums are too low or vague, you will pay the difference later. Many disputes come from underestimated PC sums.
4. Contingency Allowance
Some quotes include a general contingency (e.g. 5%). This should be agreed and justified, not arbitrarily added. It must also be clear whether it is part of the contract sum or a client-held reserve.
5. Programme Duration and Start Date
A professional quote will show a clear programme duration. For example: "Start date: 10 Oct 2025, Duration: 22 weeks."
If no timeline is shown, or if the builder is vague, you risk uncontrolled delays.
Need help reviewing your builder’s programme? Call us on 01270 323 515. We review project timelines alongside cost.
6. Payment Schedule
The builder should outline when and how they expect to be paid. This might be:
Stage payments (e.g. deposit, foundation complete, roof on, etc.)
Monthly valuations
Upfront payments for major materials (only if agreed and documented)
We regularly advise on fair payment structures that protect both client and builder. Contact us if you’re unsure what’s standard or reasonable.
Common Omissions That Lead to Variations
Even well-presented quotes can hide dangerous gaps. These omissions almost always lead to variation claims, which push up the final cost.
Typical omissions we find include:
No allowance for waste removal or skip hire
Excluding floor screeds or insulation
Missing structural elements like windposts or padstones
Ambiguous references to "client to supply" items without scope
No mention of access challenges or working hours restrictions
If you want a second pair of eyes on your quote, call us on 01270 323 515. We can carry out a fixed-fee quote review in 3 working days.
How to Benchmark Prices and Spot Padding
How do you know if the prices are competitive? Most clients rely on comparing two or three quotes, but this is not always enough. Builders price differently, depending on their overheads, margin, and how busy they are.
At Kingsmead Consultants, we benchmark quotes using current regional market data. We assess:
Hourly labour rates
Cost per m² for key trades
Material rates (e.g. insulation, steel, timber)
Plant hire and scaffolding rates
If a quote includes a suspicious lump sum, we break it down. If prices are abnormally high or low, we challenge them.
Want to know if your quote is padded? Email your builder’s quote to info@kingsmeadconsultants.co.uk and we’ll give an initial view.
Case Examples: Real Quote Reviews in the North West
Chester – Extension and Loft Conversion (£185,000)
Our client in Chester was about to sign a contract. The builder’s quote looked detailed, but we found no allowance for decoration, tiling, or insulation. The client was facing a likely £18,000 overrun. Our report helped renegotiate the scope and avoid future disputes.
Liverpool – Major Renovation on Victorian Property (£320,000)
The quote included inflated PC sums and vague exclusions. We prepared a comparison report, clarified the omissions, and helped our Liverpool client go back to tender with stronger documents. The preferred contractor came back with a £25,000 lower price and a clearer scope.
Manchester – New Build Developer Scheme (£1.8m)
We reviewed the top two contractor quotes. While one appeared lower, our review showed it excluded key structural steel items and used unrealistic preliminaries. We recommended that our Manchester client proceed with the higher quote, which avoided a potential six-figure overspend.
Want results like this? Call Kingsmead Consultants today on 01270 323 515.
Why Use Kingsmead Consultants for Quote Reviews?
We are Chartered Quantity Surveyors (RICS regulated) with decades of experience reviewing contractor pricing. We:
Work exclusively for clients (not builders)
Provide impartial, fact-based advice
Understand regional rates across the North West
Offer fast turnaround and fixed fees
Help you avoid disputes, overruns and commercial headaches
Whether you’re a homeowner or developer, our job is to protect your budget.
Book your builder quote review today – call 01270 323 515 or email info@kingsmeadconsultants.co.uk.
Final Thoughts
A builder’s quote is more than just a price – it’s the foundation of your contract. Get it wrong, and the entire project can go off track. Get it right, and you start with clarity, confidence and commercial protection.
If you’ve received a quote and want an expert to review it, contact Kingsmead Consultants. Our tender and quote review service is designed to give you peace of mind, stop problems before they start, and help you appoint the right contractor on the right terms.
Before you sign anything, call 01270 323 515 or email info@kingsmeadconsultants.co.uk. We’re here to help.
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