Why Clients Should Pay for a Quote and Why Builders Should Charge for One
When it comes to pricing large projects like knockdown rebuilds, high-end extensions and renovations, everyone wants the best deal. For some, the “best” could be getting the most value for their money, while others may be looking for the lowest possible price. Either way, the last thing a lot of people want is to pay for a quote.
This is exactly why some builders will guess and offer an inaccurate price, leading to dreaded cost variations. While entering into a contract with a ballpark estimate sounds like a fair deal, you can’t ignore the risks that come with it. So, let’s discuss why paying for a quote can save you a lot of money on the bigger picture.
We get asked that a lot. How much is a square metre?
The reality is, that for a custom-built project, there is no set rate. That’s because no two projects are ever the same, no site conditions are the same, and no clients are the same.
A square meterage rate can be useful at the outset when formulating a starting budget. If the client has X amount of budget, then the size of the building is approximately that divided by the rate. This rate needs to be verified by the builder by doing a proper quote. More often the rate applied at the beginning of the design process is different from the ultimate cost.
A proper quote requires the builder to fully understand the plan, the scope of work, site conditions, and time constraints. Like building Lego pieces, each component is priced accordingly before being assembled to produce the final figure.
“Quality comes at a price—paying for a quote ensures you're building on a foundation of accuracy, not assumptions.”
Ensures the Seriousness of Both Parties
Perhaps the biggest reason to pay for a quote is to save time and avoid unexpected project costs. Quote creation is an extensive and time-consuming task that can cost builders hundreds to thousands of dollars.
Any builder offering a free quote is probably taking a shortcut, and shortcuts in construction are always costly. Paying for a quote also binds builders to put effort into it, which leads to fairly accurate cost estimation. On the other hand, it also saves builders’ time in the future when it comes time to order materials etc.
Some of the best builders in Canberra often charge for detailed quotes, so they work with clients committed to their building projects. It becomes a win-win situation for both parties.
Protects Client Funds
Once again, this approach is a win-win builders receive prompt payments for services, while clients receive a thorough and accurate estimate of the project’s financial requirements. Accurate estimation is especially beneficial for clients, as it helps them properly plan their finances beforehand. When lending money from banks the detail in the quotes can go a long way in helping secure funding.
Saves Cost
Let’s say you request a quote for a project that could take up to 6-12 months; you need to know exactly what you’re getting by the end of the tenure. When you pay for the quote, you get a detailed scope of work, expectations, guarantees, and necessary licensing and insurance.
You can save thousands when you consult with builders for knockdown rebuilds, renovations, or any other service. Some builders will even deduct the cost of the quote from the total project price.
Ensures Pricing Accuracy
While a paid, fixed-price quote might seem more expensive upfront compared to a free quote, it will save you money in the end. All the minor details and potential variations are clearly defined from the start, saving you from surprises and conflicts later.
This way, you’ll be more satisfied with the final result, avoiding the constant variations that come with a free, one-page ballpark quote.
“An investment in a detailed quote today saves you from expensive surprises tomorrow because precision always pays off.”
Final Words
In order for a quote to be meaningful, it has to be accurate, and contain clear and detailed information for both parties. An accurate quote takes a significant amount of time and money to prepare as each project is different in scope and site conditions.
It is easy to get a free quote, but those builders will not want to spend the time or effort. They can apply a square meterage rate or lowball the quote and make up their margin by lowering the standard or adding extras during the build. Too often the owner engages the lowest cost builder because it is hard to understand the quote. What sounds like a good deal in the beginning can end up being more costly or the project just fails to achieve the desired outcome.
A paid service allows us to spend more time to investigate deeper. In particular for renovation work, multiple site visits and confirmation may be required. If we are willing to agree with you, we are committed to producing a quality quote with all the scope assessed, and unforeseeable items allowed.
We also acknowledge that if we do not win the job, our expenses will NOT be recouped from the fee we charge. During our initial consultation, we will estimate if the owner’s budget is workable. If we believe there is a mismatch, we will not offer this service.