01Blog · N-11 · Cost

What a quoteshouldtell you.

Note
N-11
Date
21 Aug 2026
Category
Cost
Reading
5 min
Hydon Park

Two quotes for the same house can differ by a third and both be honest. The difference is almost always in what each one leaves out, so read a quote for its gaps before you read it for its total.

1.0

Six lines to look for

The drawings it was priced from, by number and revision. What is included and, in writing, what is not. Provisional sums, named as such. Who supplies materials. The programme, with dates. And how changes are priced once work has begun.

No drawing revision on the quote: it cannot be compared with another.

The cheapest quote is often just the shortest one.

2.0

Comparing like with like

Put the quotes side by side and mark every line one has and the other lacks. Ask each builder to price the missing lines. Only then compare totals.

Ask for the missing lines in writing.

If you have drawings and want a quote that can be read this way, send them to us.

N-11 · Drafted note, placeholder photograph · confirm before publishing

03In short

Inshort.

  1. 01

    Read it for its gaps

    What a quote leaves out matters more than its total.

  2. 02

    Six lines to find

    Drawings, inclusions, provisional sums, materials, programme, changes.

  3. 03

    Compare like with like

    Have the missing lines priced before you compare totals.

Want a quote you can read this way?

Send us the drawings↗

04Next note

N-10 · Materials · 7 min

Brick, block
or frame?

What each costs, how fast it goes up, and what it is like to live behind.

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