How to Get and Compare Tradesperson Quotes (UK 2026)
Three quotes for the same job often look like £2,400, £2,800 and £3,300. Most homeowners pick the £2,400 one. Half of those end up paying £3,500 once 'unforeseen extras' surface mid-job. Here's how to compare quotes properly so what you're quoted is what you actually pay.
How many quotes should you get?
Three written quotes is the gold standard for any UK home job over £200. Two is the minimum. One is asking to be overcharged. For larger jobs (£5,000+), four or five quotes is reasonable — the time to source them pays for itself many times over in saved budget.
Real-time bidding marketplaces like AllSorted cut the chasing time dramatically — most jobs receive 3–8 live bids within an hour, all in one place to compare.
Step 1: write the scope before you ask for quotes
The single biggest reason quotes vary wildly is that homeowners describe the same job differently to different pros — so each pro quotes a different scope. Write a one-page brief and send the same brief to every pro.
A good brief covers:
- What you want done — specific scope, in plain English
- Materials — make/model/spec where you have a preference (e.g. Worcester 8000 Style 30kW)
- Site conditions — access, parking, working hours allowed, services available (water, power, waste)
- Timeline — when you need to start, when it must be finished by
- Photos — of the existing setup and the area being worked on
- Anything you don't want — no chase-cutting, must use existing pipework, etc.
Step 2: demand a line-by-line written quote
Every quote should be on the tradesperson's letterhead or business email and include the items below. If a pro can't or won't itemise, you're not really getting a quote — you're getting a guess.
| Line item | What it should say |
|---|---|
| Labour | Hours × rate, or a fixed price labour total |
| Materials | Itemised, with brands/models where possible |
| Disposal / waste removal | Skip hire, fly-tipping fees, etc. |
| Certifications & notifications | Building Control, EIC, gas safety cert |
| VAT | Inclusive or exclusive? At what rate? |
| Payment schedule | Deposit %, stage payments, retention |
| Start and end dates | Specific dates, not 'soon' |
| Warranty | Length and what's covered |
| Contingency / extras policy | What triggers an extra, how it's priced |
| Total inc. VAT | The actual all-in number |
Step 3: compare them properly
Lay all three quotes side-by-side in a table. Then ask:
- Is the scope identical? Are all three covering the same set of works?
- Are materials at the same spec? A £40 tap and a £200 tap take the same time to fit but the materials line will look very different.
- Is VAT treated consistently? Add it on where it's not included before comparing.
- Is the warranty length comparable? A 1-year warranty vs a 10-year warranty is worth real money.
- Are payment terms reasonable? A 50% up-front quote vs stage payments is a different risk profile.
- Is the timeline realistic? A pro promising the work in half the time others quote is either better or cutting corners.
Step 4: negotiate (politely, with context)
Once you've got 3+ comparable quotes, it's reasonable to go back to your preferred pro and ask if they can match a lower competing quote on identical scope. Most pros will move 5–10% if it secures the booking and the job is decent.
What doesn't work: lying about competing prices, asking 'can you knock something off' without context, or trying to renegotiate after work has started. Honest, specific negotiation gets results — and gets you a working relationship for next time.
Common mistakes when comparing quotes
- Comparing labour totals only — labour is usually less than half the cost.
- Ignoring VAT differences — adds 20% if you forget to check.
- Picking the cheapest without asking what's missing — you'll pay the difference later.
- Not asking about warranty — a 1-year warranty often saves money up front but costs more long term.
- Forgetting timing premiums — emergency, weekend and out-of-hours quotes look much more expensive but are sometimes the only realistic option.
Quote-comparison template
Here's a simple structure that works for most home jobs. Fill it in for each quote and the differences become obvious in seconds.
| Item | Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total inc VAT | £? | £? | £? |
| Labour | £? | £? | £? |
| Materials | £? | £? | £? |
| Disposal | £? | £? | £? |
| Certifications | £? | £? | £? |
| Deposit required | £? | £? | £? |
| Start date | ? | ? | ? |
| Working days | ? | ? | ? |
| Warranty length | ? | ? | ? |
Frequently asked questions
How many quotes should I get for a tradesperson job?
Three written quotes is the UK standard for any home job over £200. For larger jobs (£5,000+), get four or five — the extra time pays back many times over in price comparison and quality cross-checks.
Should tradesperson quotes include VAT?
VAT-registered tradespeople (those above £90,000 turnover from April 2024) must charge 20% VAT. Non-VAT-registered sole traders don't. Always confirm whether quotes are inclusive or exclusive of VAT — it's the most common cause of misleading comparisons.
How do I get tradespeople to give me written quotes?
Most legitimate tradespeople will provide a written quote on request. If a pro refuses to put a price in writing — even via email or WhatsApp — that's a major red flag. Real-time bidding platforms like AllSorted produce written quotes by default with every bid.
Is the cheapest quote usually the best one?
Rarely. The cheapest legitimate quote on identical scope is usually fine — but a quote that's 40%+ below the others almost always has materials downgraded, VAT excluded, certifications missing, or warranty cover cut. Always ask for itemised breakdowns before choosing.
Can I negotiate with a tradesperson on price?
Yes — politely. Show them comparable competing quotes and ask if they can match on identical scope. Most pros will move 5–10% to win the booking. What doesn't work is lying about competing prices or trying to renegotiate after work has started.
What should I do if quotes are very different?
Big variation usually means scope mismatch, not pricing inconsistency. Re-send your one-page brief to each pro and ask them to re-quote against the exact same scope. Differences often shrink dramatically once everyone is pricing the same job.
About the author
AllSorted Editorial Team
Home services research & UK trades industry analysis
The AllSorted Editorial Team works with verified UK tradespeople, plumbers, electricians and home services professionals to publish accurate, up-to-date guidance for British homeowners. Editorial standards are reviewed against guidance from the Federation of Master Builders, NICEIC, Gas Safe Register and Trading Standards.