Builder Proof UK

Free tool

Check Your Builder's Quote Before You Pay

Answer a short set of questions about what your builder's quotation actually says, and get an instant score, section-by-section breakdown and the exact wording to send back for anything that's missing.

What this checker covers

Most disputes between homeowners and builders trace back to something that was never written down clearly in the original quotation — not to bad workmanship. This checker walks through 27 items across eight areas that a solid written quotation should address: who you’re contracting with, the exact scope of work, site logistics, statutory responsibilities, the programme, money and payment stages, how changes are handled, and what happens at completion.

How scoring works

Each item carries a weight from 1 to 5 reflecting its typical financial risk if it’s left unclear — for example, unclear insurance or an open-ended deposit carry more weight than an unnamed material standard. Answer Yes, Not sure or No for each item, and we calculate a score out of 100 along with a status for every item: Clearly covered, Needs clarification or Potential warning sign. Your full results — including a suggested question to send your builder for anything not covered — appear on screen immediately, with no email required.

What this checker cannot do

This tool only assesses what you tell it your quotation does or doesn’t say — it cannot read your actual documents, verify a builder’s insurance or company details, or check whether the price itself is reasonable for the work. Builder Proof UK publishes general educational information for homeowners. It is not legal, structural, surveying, planning, electrical, gas, insurance or financial advice, and it does not replace advice from a suitably qualified professional for your specific project.

For background reading before you start, see our guides on the UK builder quote checklist, what a builder’s quote should include and how much deposit you should pay a builder. If you’d rather start with a printable version, try our free 10-point deposit checklist, or for a professional second opinion on an actual document, see our paid quote review service.

Progress

0 of 27 questions answered

Your score updates live as you answer. Every question answered helps sharpen the result, even before you finish.

Builder Proof UK publishes general educational information for homeowners. It is not legal, structural, surveying, planning, electrical, gas, insurance or financial advice, and it does not replace advice from a suitably qualified professional for your specific project.

Step one

Answer each question about your quotation

Base your answers on what is actually written in your quotation, not on a verbal promise.

Who you are contracting with

Does the quotation clearly state the contractor's full legal trading name and the name of the person or company you are actually contracting with?

If a dispute arises, you need to know exactly who is legally responsible for the work — a first name and mobile number is not enough to take action against.

Does the quotation clearly state the contractor's registered business address and, if applicable, Companies House registration number?

A verifiable address and company number let you check trading history, county court judgments and whether the business genuinely exists before you pay anything.

Does the quotation clearly state whether the price includes or excludes VAT, and the contractor's VAT registration status?

VAT can add 20% to a price that looked competitive. Unclear VAT status is one of the most common causes of a final bill being far higher than expected.

Does the quotation clearly state current public liability insurance (and employer's liability, if they have staff), with a policy or cover amount stated?

Without valid insurance, damage to your property or an injury on site could leave you personally liable for the cost.

Scope and specification

Does the quotation clearly state the exact scope of work in enough detail that you could hand it to another builder and get a like-for-like quote?

Vague scope wording ('general building works') is the single biggest source of disputes over what was and wasn't included in the price.

Does the quotation clearly state which drawings, plans or specification document the quotation is based on?

If the quote doesn't reference a specific drawing revision, either party can later argue the price was for something different.

Does the quotation clearly state how much of the price is labour and how much is materials?

A labour/materials split makes it far easier to price variations fairly and to spot where a supplier price rise might affect the final bill.

Does the quotation clearly state named brands, models or minimum standards for key materials (e.g. boiler make, kitchen units, roof tiles)?

Without named products, 'a boiler' could mean a budget model costing far less than the one you assumed was being quoted.

Site and logistics

Does the quotation clearly state what groundworks are included, and how unforeseen ground conditions (e.g. poor soil, drains, tree roots) would be dealt with?

Groundworks are the most common source of costly surprises once digging starts, especially on extensions.

Does the quotation clearly state what structural work is included, and whether it is based on a structural engineer's calculations?

Structural work priced without engineer's calculations is a common reason for large mid-project variations.

Does the quotation clearly state who provides and pays for scaffolding, access equipment and any parking or skip permits?

These logistics costs are easy to omit from a quote and can add hundreds or thousands of pounds if not agreed up front.

Does the quotation clearly state what plant and equipment hire (e.g. diggers, generators, cement mixers) is included in the price?

Plant hire charged as an extra can significantly change the final cost on projects involving groundworks or demolition.

Does the quotation clearly state who is responsible for removing waste and rubbish, and whether skip hire is included?

Waste removal is a frequent 'that wasn't included' argument at the end of a job.

Does the quotation clearly state protection of existing floors/furniture during work and making good (redecoration, matching finishes) afterwards?

Without this, you may be left to pay separately for repainting or repairing areas disturbed by the work.

Statutory responsibilities

Does the quotation clearly state who is responsible for electrical and plumbing work, and whether they are Part P/Gas Safe registered where required?

Unregistered electrical or gas work can be illegal, invalidate insurance, and cause serious problems when you come to sell the property.

Does the quotation clearly state who is responsible for planning permission and Building Control sign-off, and whether the fees are included?

Work carried out without required planning permission or Building Control approval can be very costly to resolve retrospectively, or affect a future sale.

Programme

Does the quotation clearly state an agreed or estimated start date?

Without a start date in writing, you have little recourse if the builder repeatedly delays starting your job.

Does the quotation clearly state the expected duration of the work?

An open-ended timescale makes it hard to plan around the works, and gives no basis for raising delay concerns later.

Money

Does the quotation clearly state the deposit amount requested, and what it is actually for (e.g. materials being ordered)?

Large upfront deposits with no clear purpose are one of the most common features of building scams and failed jobs.

Does the quotation clearly state a stage-payment schedule tied to specific, visible milestones of completed work?

Without milestones tied to actual progress, you risk paying ahead of the work being done, with little leverage if it stalls.

Does the quotation clearly state which items are provisional sums (estimates) rather than fixed prices, and how they will be finalised?

Provisional sums are a legitimate part of many quotes, but if not flagged clearly they can make a final bill much higher than the headline figure.

Does the quotation clearly state a clear list of what is excluded from the price?

An explicit exclusions list is often more revealing than the inclusions list, and prevents 'that was never included' disputes.

Change control

Does the quotation clearly state a process for agreeing and pricing any changes to the work (variations) once it has started?

Without an agreed variation process, verbal changes on site are the most common source of end-of-job payment disputes.

Completion

Does the quotation clearly state a process for identifying and fixing snagging items after the main work is finished?

Without an agreed snagging process, minor defects can be left unresolved once the builder has been paid in full.

Does the quotation clearly state any guarantees or warranties on workmanship and materials, and their duration?

A stated guarantee period gives you a clear basis for getting defects fixed without further cost months after completion.

Does the quotation clearly state which certificates (electrical, gas, Building Control completion, FENSA, etc.) will be provided at completion?

Missing certificates can cause serious problems when you come to sell or remortgage the property.

Does the quotation clearly state the conditions that must be met before final payment is due (e.g. certificates issued, snagging complete)?

Paying in full before certificates or snagging are complete removes almost all of your leverage to get outstanding items resolved.

Step two

Your results

Score

0

out of 100

Significant gaps

A number of high-risk items are unclear or missing. Get these confirmed in writing before paying anything.

Section breakdown

Who you are contracting with0%
Scope and specification0%
Site and logistics0%
Statutory responsibilities0%
Programme0%
Money0%
Change control0%
Completion0%

Top priority items to sort out

Highest financial risk first. Copy the suggested question straight into a message to your builder.

Does the quotation clearly state current public liability insurance (and employer's liability, if they have staff), with a policy or cover amount stated?

Needs clarification

Suggested question: “Could you send me a copy of your current public liability insurance certificate?”

Does the quotation clearly state the exact scope of work in enough detail that you could hand it to another builder and get a like-for-like quote?

Needs clarification

Suggested question: “Could you set out the full scope of work in more detail, room by room or item by item?”

Does the quotation clearly state what structural work is included, and whether it is based on a structural engineer's calculations?

Needs clarification

Suggested question: “Is the structural work in this quote based on a structural engineer's calculations, and can I see them?”

Does the quotation clearly state who is responsible for electrical and plumbing work, and whether they are Part P/Gas Safe registered where required?

Needs clarification

Suggested question: “Who will be carrying out the electrical and plumbing work, and are they Part P / Gas Safe registered?”

Does the quotation clearly state who is responsible for planning permission and Building Control sign-off, and whether the fees are included?

Needs clarification

Suggested question: “Who is responsible for arranging Building Control (and planning permission, if needed), and are the fees included in this price?”

Does the quotation clearly state the deposit amount requested, and what it is actually for (e.g. materials being ordered)?

Needs clarification

Suggested question: “What is the deposit specifically for, and could it instead be tied to materials being ordered rather than paid upfront?”

Does the quotation clearly state a stage-payment schedule tied to specific, visible milestones of completed work?

Needs clarification

Suggested question: “Could we agree a stage-payment schedule linked to specific completed milestones rather than fixed dates?”

Does the quotation clearly state the conditions that must be met before final payment is due (e.g. certificates issued, snagging complete)?

Needs clarification

Suggested question: “Can we agree that final payment is due only once certificates are issued and any snagging is complete?”

Get the full report by email

Your complete results are already shown above. If you’d like a copy of the full itemised report — every question, your answer, its status and the suggested question to send your builder — enter your email and we’ll send it over.

Want a professional to check it for you?

This checker is a fast, free, educational tool based on what you tell it. If you’d rather have your actual quotation reviewed line by line, our paid quote review service covers a single quotation for £59, or up to three competing quotations for £99 so you can compare them side by side.

Get a professional quote review