Homeowners are told to get three quotes. Nobody explains that three quotes for three different interpretations of the job are worthless.
Write the scope before you call anyone
A short written scope — what you want done, what materials you expect, what “finished” looks like — turns three wildly different numbers into three prices for the same work.
- What exactly is being replaced or repaired
- Who supplies materials, and to what standard
- Who removes waste and makes good afterwards
- Your deadline and any access constraints
Ask what is excluded
The cheapest quote is often cheap because it excludes disposal, making good, or the second coat. Ask each tradesperson what is not in their number and the gaps usually explain the price difference entirely.
Check the credentials that matter
For gas, electrical and structural work, ask for the registration number and verify it with the scheme directly. A photo of a card proves very little; a live register entry proves a lot.
Be wary of the large deposit
A deposit for materials is normal. A demand for most of the value up front, in cash, before any work starts, is the single most common pattern in home improvement disputes.
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