How to compare tradie quotes properly

Short answer

Get at least three written quotes, then check they cover the same scope before comparing the numbers. A cheaper quote is often a smaller quote. Confirm what is excluded, who supplies materials, whether the price is fixed or an estimate, and what happens if the job turns out to be bigger than expected.

"Get three quotes" is the most repeated piece of advice about hiring a tradesperson, and on its own it is close to useless. Three numbers for three different scopes of work is not a comparison.

Make them quote the same job

Write down what you want in a few sentences and give the identical description to everyone. If one quote comes back dramatically cheaper, the usual explanation is not generosity — it is that they have quoted something smaller.

  • What is explicitly excluded? This is where the difference usually hides.
  • Who supplies materials, and what grade?
  • Is this a fixed price or an estimate? The words mean different things and only one of them binds.
  • What is the hourly rate if the job runs over, and what triggers that?
  • Is rubbish removal included?
  • Is there a callout fee, and does it come off the final bill?

Get it in writing, always

A verbal quote is difficult to enforce and easy to misremember in good faith by both parties. A written quote does not need to be a formal contract — an email listing the scope and the price is enough to make a later disagreement resolvable.

Be careful with deposits

Most states cap the deposit a licensed builder can take for domestic building work, and the cap is lower than people expect. A tradesperson asking for a large payment before starting is worth questioning, and one asking for cash to avoid GST is telling you they will be equally casual about your paperwork if something goes wrong.

Common questions

How many quotes should I get for tradie work?
At least three, all quoting the same written scope. Without an identical scope the numbers are not comparable, and the cheapest quote is usually the one that excludes the most.
What is the difference between a quote and an estimate?
A quote is a fixed price for defined work. An estimate is a considered guess that can change. Ask which one you have been given, because only the first one binds.
How much deposit should a tradie ask for?
For domestic building work most states cap the deposit a licensed builder may take, and the cap is often lower than tradespeople request. Check the cap with the regulator in your state before paying.

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