How to compare two house builder quotes
Compare two house builder quotes on the same floor area, currency and scope, not on the total alone. List headings on both files, note what is missing on each, and divide each total by the same m². A large gap on one heading or a missing roof line explains more than which total is lower.
Why should you not compare totals alone?
One contractor may have omitted the roof, the kitchen or the connection fees. The lower total can be the incomplete file. Headings make those gaps visible before you ask either builder to explain.
What should match before you compare?
- Same country, region and city context
- Same floor area in m² (or ft² on both)
- Same currency, or a clear exchange date if not
- Same build type: new house vs major renovation
- Same specification level for kitchen, bathrooms and windows
How do you compare heading by heading?
- 01Use the checklist at /quotes/tender-checklist to confirm the same scope on every file.
- 02List the headings on quote A and quote B side by side.
- 03Mark headings present on one file and absent on the other.
- 04For shared headings, compare the line total or share of each quote's total.
- 05Divide each quote total by the same floor area for cost per m².
- 06Write questions for each gap before you treat either total as complete.
When does a paid reading help?
Doing the split by hand on a long PDF is slow. The paid quote reading at /quotes/read returns missing headings, section shares and cost per m² and ft² within one working day. It still does not say which builder to choose, it gives you a structured comparison to take back to both contractors.
Questions on this
One quote is VAT inclusive and one is not. What then?
Add or remove tax on one file so both totals are on the same basis. If tax is absent on both, ask each contractor whether their total is inclusive.
The floor areas differ by a few square metres. Does it matter?
Yes for cost per m². Use one area, usually from your plan, and apply it to both totals, or ask each builder which area their quote uses.
Can I compare a renovation quote to a new-build quote?
Only roughly. Demolition, temporary support and making good appear on renovations and rarely on new builds. Compare like with like.
What if one builder will not itemise?
You cannot compare structure you cannot see. Ask for a breakdown by heading or treat the lump sum as unfinished until they provide one.
Read one before you buy one
The specimen shows the whole structure: status, what each payment was meant to buy, the forecast with its range, the photographic record and the limits of what was checked.