Updated · 3 min read
In short
- Labour and materials priced separately for each type of work.
- Exact materials (brand, range or at least grade), not just 'tiles' or 'paint'.
- A realistic timescale and an agreed process for extra work found along the way.
Labour and materials broken down separately
A proper written quote clearly separates the cost of labour from the cost of materials for each category of work. A single total without that breakdown makes it impossible to check whether the price is fair and complicates any later negotiation on one component (for example, materials you supply yourself).
Exact quantities and material specifications
The quote should state exactly which materials are included — not just 'tiles' or 'paint', but the brand, range or at least the quality grade intended. Without that, an apparently good quote can include materials well below your expectations, discovered only on delivery.
The timescale and the conditions that can change it
A realistic timescale, with estimated start and finish dates, should be included explicitly, together with the conditions that could extend it (material delays, weather for outside work, unexpected findings during demolition). A quote that leaves this out entirely leaves ambiguity exactly where the most frequent conflicts arise.
What happens with unexpected extra work
A well-built quote also states how extra work discovered along the way is handled — who approves it, how it's communicated and how it's priced. Without this clarified from the start, any unexpected finding on site risks becoming a misunderstanding about who pays and how much.