What a Building Quote Should Include

The warranty. A quote should say what warranty the contractor gives on their workmanship, how long it lasts and, ideally, when it starts. This is separate from any manufacturer's warranty on the materials. If the quote doesn't mention a warranty, ask for it in writing.

How long the price is valid. Material and labour costs change, so most contractors state how long their quote stands. That protects them from being held to an old price, and it tells you how long you have to decide. If there is no validity period, ask what it is.

What is excluded. A clear list of exclusions is one of the most useful parts of any quote, and one of the most often missing. It tells you where the contractor's job ends. Common exclusions include decorating after the work, electrical or plumbing alterations, and anything hidden that could not be inspected at the site visit.

Uncertain items. Where part of the job can't be priced accurately until the work starts, the quote should say so and show it separately, usually as a provisional sum or an allowance. Provisional sums, explained covers how these should be written and how the final cost is worked out.

On roofing work in particular, scaffolding can be a significant part of the cost. It needs to be erected, left in place for the duration and taken down, and on some properties it needs extra arrangements, such as a licence where it stands on the pavement. A quote that doesn't mention scaffolding may include it, or may assume it will be priced later. Ask. Our answer on whether scaffolding should be on the quote goes into more detail.

Waste is similar. Stripping an old roof or knocking through a wall produces a lot of material, and getting rid of it costs money. A clear quote says whether removing it is included. See does a quote include waste removal?

Making good means repairing the surrounding area after the work: filling and plastering around a new rooflight, for example, or reinstating a path. Some contractors include it, some leave it to a decorator, and some include rough making good but not the final finish. It is worth knowing which, because it affects what the room looks like on the day they leave.

Building regulations. Some building work needs to comply with building regulations and be notified to building control, either directly or through a registered competent person scheme. A quote for work that needs this should say who is arranging it. If you are unsure whether your work is covered, the Planning Portal and GOV.UK both explain the basics, and your local authority's building control team can advise.

Protecting your home. Building work is messy, and the quote is the right place to agree how the rest of your home will be looked after. That might mean dust sheets and floor protection indoors, boards over a lawn where materials are stacked, or covering a conservatory roof below scaffolding. It is rarely expensive, but it is much easier to agree before work starts than to discuss after a carpet has been marked.

Day-to-day arrangements. Working hours, parking for vans and deliveries, whether the team needs access to a toilet or power, and who holds keys if you are out. None of this needs to be in formal terms on a small job, but a line or two in the quote or a confirming email avoids awkward conversations on the first morning.

Many quotes come with written terms, either on the back or in a separate document. They are worth reading, because they set out what happens when things don't go exactly to plan. Four clauses deserve particular attention.

Changes and extras. How will changes be priced and agreed? The fairest terms say that extras are priced and agreed in writing before the work is done. Our guide to variations and extra costs explains why that matters.

Payment. When each payment is due, how it is to be paid and what happens if a payment is late. Check that the deposit and any stages match what was discussed.

Delays. What happens if the start date moves, on either side, and how weather or material shortages are handled.

Warranty terms. What the workmanship warranty covers, what it excludes, when it starts and how you make a claim.

If anything in the terms is unclear, ask for it to be explained, and keep the explanation in writing. On anything beyond a small repair, it is worth thinking about whether you need fuller written terms; see do I need a written contract for building work?

When every quote you hold covers these points, you are in a position to compare them properly. Our guide to comparing building quotes sets out a simple method. If you are still unsure whether you have a firm price or a guide figure, see estimate vs quote. And before you accept, run through what to do before accepting a quote.