Choosing a builder
How to compare builder quotes
Look beyond the headline total: scope, VAT, allowances and the questions worth asking.
CompareYourBuild editorial · 8 September 2026 · Pilot guide
Give each builder the same brief
Record the same drawings and revision, intended finish and division of work. If one builder prices a shell and another prices a decorated room, the totals answer different questions. Keep an early budget estimate separate from a quotation for defined work.
Start with the total and its basis
Ask whether the stated amount includes VAT and whether it is an estimate or fixed quotation. Record how long it is valid. Do not add an allowance again if it is already included in the total. If the VAT position is unclear, flag it for clarification before sorting by price.
Compare work item by item
Check foundations, structure, roof, doors and windows, plumbing, electrics, plastering, decoration and kitchen or bathroom fittings. Use four useful labels: included, excluded, allowance and not stated. Missing wording does not establish an exclusion. For an allowance, ask what specification and quantity it covers.
Ask what could change the price
Ground conditions, existing structures and work that has not been fully specified can affect the final scope. Ask the builder to explain provisional sums, assumptions and the process for agreeing variations. Record those answers beside the quote instead of treating uncertainty as a saving.
Compare the working arrangements too
Request the proposed start, duration, payment stages, responsibilities and written contract terms. Check relevant experience, references and insurance separately. A low price and a clear quote do not themselves verify a builder’s workmanship.
Keep the original
Our comparison holds a structured breakdown beside the uploaded quotation. Read the original and resolve material differences with the provider before choosing. A team check of a breakdown confirms a review of that information; it is not a guarantee of the business.