How to compare renovation quotes without missing the expensive bits
Use one clear brief to spot differences in scope, allowances and responsibility.
Prepared 5 October 2026 · factual review pending
Start with the same brief
Two prices tell you little when each contractor is pricing a different job. Write down the rooms, fixtures and finishes you want, the layout changes and the parts you expect to retain. Use the same brief for each quote. The NSW Government recommends providing consistent information to contractors so their written quotes can be compared.
Make a scope table
Create columns for removal, preparation, services, waterproofing, cabinetry, fixtures, finishes and disposal. Mark each item included, excluded or unclear. Add who supplies it. A quote that excludes a benchtop or service connection may look lower without representing a lower cost for the finished room.
Separate selections from unknown conditions
An undecided tile selection and concealed damage are different uncertainties. Ask how each allowance is calculated and what evidence will support a change. Settle fixture models and materials where possible before signing, and ask for the variation process in writing.
Agree the handover
The final price should be read alongside the programme, clean-up, documentation and defect process. Keep the agreed brief with the written quote. Have the actual contract checked against the requirements applicable to your job before committing.