1. Ask in writing, calmly, before signing
Most builders respect a homeowner who asks sensible questions early and in writing. A short, polite email before you accept is far easier than a difficult conversation halfway through the job. Send the same questions to every builder you're considering so the answers are comparable.
2. Questions about scope
Scope is where quotes stop being comparable. If you have more than one price in front of you, work through how to compare builder quotes in the UK first, so you know which gaps to ask about.
- Can you confirm what is included and excluded in this quote?
- Which items are provisional sums or allowances?
- Is making good (plaster, decoration, garden) included?
- Who is responsible for skips, scaffolding and protection?
3. Questions about price and VAT
VAT is the easiest way to compare two quotes wrongly. Our guide on comparing quotes with and without VAT shows how to line up the actual total payable, and provisional sums explains why allowances are not fixed prices.
- Is the price inclusive or exclusive of VAT?
- Are you VAT registered, and will I get a VAT invoice?
- How are variations and extras priced?
- Is there a contingency built in, or is that on me?
4. Questions about the payment schedule
- What's the proposed payment schedule?
- What needs to be complete before each payment is released?
- Is there a retention held until snagging is signed off?
- Will the schedule be in the written contract?
5. Questions about timings
- When can you realistically start?
- How long will the job take in working weeks?
- How many people will be on site, and when?
- What happens if there are delays from suppliers or weather?
6. Questions about people and paperwork
- Are you insured (public liability + employers')?
- Who handles building control and structural engineering?
- Do you offer a written contract or terms of engagement?
- Can I see two recent local jobs and speak to those homeowners?
7. Questions about red flags
- Why is your quote significantly cheaper/dearer than the others?
- How do you handle disagreements or snagging disputes?
- What guarantee do you offer on workmanship?
8. Use a template, not a free-text email
If you would rather start from wording you can adapt, our free clarification email template turns the questions above into one neutral message you can send to each builder.
The Homeowner Quote Checker Pack includes a polite, copy-paste clarification email template covering all of the above, plus a scoring grid so you can compare builders fairly. The free Builder Quote Checklist is a shorter printable version you can take into a meeting today.
Use this on your actual project
The free Builder Quote Checklist gives you a short printable pack to sanity-check any UK builder quote. The Homeowner Quote Checker Pack goes further with the exact ground covered in this article.
The Builder's Brief UK provides practical homeowner guidance based on real trade experience. It is not legal, financial, architectural, structural engineering, planning or building-control advice, and is not a replacement for project-specific guidance from suitably qualified professionals.