// frequently asked questions
Quote Comparison FAQs
How many quotes should I get before hiring a tradesperson?
The standard advice is to get at least three quotes. This gives you a good spread of pricing and approaches. Two quotes make it hard to judge — with three, patterns emerge. If all three are similar, the pricing is probably fair. If one is dramatically different, that's a signal to investigate further.
Should I always choose the cheapest quote?
No — and this is the most common mistake homeowners make. The cheapest quote is often cheapest for a reason: corners may be cut, materials may be inferior, or the tradesperson may be underestimating the job (leading to extra charges later). Our tool scores quotes on completeness and value, not just price. A mid-range quote that includes everything is usually better value than a cheap quote with hidden extras.
What should a good trade quote include?
A complete quote should include: a detailed breakdown of work, materials and labour costs separated, VAT (if VAT registered), estimated start date and duration, payment terms, warranty or guarantee period, what's included in waste removal, and whether the price is fixed or an estimate. If any of these are missing, ask before accepting. Our tool checks for all of these automatically.
What's the difference between a quote and an estimate?
A quote is a fixed price — the tradesperson is agreeing to do the work for that amount. An estimate is an approximate cost that can change once work begins. Always ask which one you're getting. Quotes offer better cost certainty, especially for well-defined jobs. Estimates are more appropriate for work where the full scope can't be determined upfront (e.g., until walls are opened up).
How do I know if a quote is too cheap?
If a quote is more than 30% below the others, treat it as a red flag. The tradesperson may be: inexperienced, not including essential items (VAT, waste disposal, materials), planning to use inferior materials, or desperate for work (which can indicate business problems). Our tool benchmarks against UK regional averages and flags suspiciously low quotes automatically.
Should I tell tradespeople what other quotes I've received?
Opinions differ, but generally it's better not to share exact figures. You can mention you're getting multiple quotes — this is expected and encouraged. Sharing exact prices can lead to "undercutting" rather than genuine pricing, and the cheapest bid isn't always the best value. Judge each quote on its own merits using a tool like this one.
The Smart Way to Compare Trade Quotes in the UK
Getting quotes from tradespeople is just the first step. The real challenge is comparing them properly. Different tradespeople quote in different ways — some include materials, some don't. Some include VAT, some aren't VAT registered. Some give detailed breakdowns, others give a single lump sum. This makes like-for-like comparison almost impossible without a structured approach.
Why We Built This Tool
Every home improvement guide says "get three quotes and compare." But until now, nobody gave homeowners a way to actually do that comparison properly. Our Compare Quotes tool is the first in the UK to score quotes on completeness, benchmark them against regional averages, and flag potential red flags — all for free, instantly, with no registration required.
What Makes a Good Trade Quote
A professional trade quote should be more than just a number on a piece of paper. It should detail exactly what work will be done, what materials will be used, how long it will take, what the payment terms are, and what guarantees are offered. Our tool checks for all of these elements and scores each quote accordingly. Combined with our Contractor Agreement generator, you can go from comparing quotes to having a signed agreement in minutes.
Understanding Regional Pricing Differences
Trade costs in the UK vary dramatically by region. A plumber in London charges 40–60% more than the same plumber doing the same job in the North of England. Our tool accounts for this by benchmarking your quotes against regional averages, so you can tell whether you're being quoted fairly for YOUR area, not just compared to a national average that might be irrelevant.