STANDARD
INTEGRITY
INSTITUTE

BEFORE COMPARING TOTALS / CHECK THE PRICE GAP

Tempted by the lowest quote?Find out what costs less.

A lower quote can be worth considering. First check that it covers the same work and materials, and identify charges that are still undecided. A low price is not evidence of a problem; a high price is not evidence of a complete quote.

Compare three possible replies Copy the questions to send

Compare the documents—not contractor ratings or market-price estimates.

SII / PRICE-GAP EXAMPLE

Both say demolition. Does either include disposal?

QUOTE A: Demolition work, lump sum
QUOTE B: Demolition work, including waste removal

Quote A does not say. That is not the same as “excluded”. Ask whether removal is included before comparing the totals.

Illustrative wording, not actual quotes. A and B do not rank price or quality.

The reply changes what you can compare.

Take the waste-removal example above. Choose a reply to see what still needs to be put in writing.

THE REPLY

“Waste removal is included in the demolition price.”

WHAT IT TELLS YOU: The inclusion is explained, but a verbal reply does not yet give you two matching documents.
YOUR NEXT STEP: Ask for the removal scope, access conditions and any extra charges to be recorded in the same quote version. Compare this part of the price once the work and conditions match Quote B.

These are reading examples, not findings about your quote or actual replies from a contractor.

Look for the price gap in six places.

Put the quotes beside their drawings and material schedules. Open a check that applies to your project. Where information is missing, ask both firms to use the same format.

Scope and exclusions

WHERE TO LOOK: Rooms, locations and work items; protection, making good, removal, finishing, testing and cleaning.
WHY IT CHANGES THE COMPARISON: The same item name may cover different preparation and finishing work. Mark missing details as unresolved, not automatically excluded.
A QUESTION TO SEND: Please list the scope, inclusions and exclusions for each work item. Confirm whether protection, making good, waste removal, finishing, testing and cleaning are included in the total.

Materials and substitutions

WHERE TO LOOK: Brand, model, size, thickness and grade; what “equivalent” products means.
WHY IT CHANGES THE COMPARISON: Two quotes can both say tiles or boards without specifying the same product. A different specification may be a valid choice, but make the difference visible.
A QUESTION TO SEND: Please provide the brand, model, size, thickness and grade of the main materials. For any permitted substitution, explain the specification, price difference and advance confirmation process.

Quantities and pricing basis

WHERE TO LOOK: Quantities, measurement method, unit rates and subtotals; lump sums, tax and delivery.
WHY IT CHANGES THE COMPARISON: A lower rate is not directly comparable if the quantities or measurement rules differ. Check whether each total includes tax and delivery.
A QUESTION TO SEND: Please add quantities, units, measurement methods, unit rates and subtotals. Explain what each lump sum covers and identify tax, delivery and other separately charged items.

Extra work, omissions and changes

WHERE TO LOOK: What triggers a price change, how it is calculated, who confirms it and when it is recorded.
WHY IT CHANGES THE COMPARISON: Some site conditions remain unknown. Clarify those items and the change process instead of treating every extra charge as unjustified.
A QUESTION TO SEND: Please list items awaiting site confirmation and explain how additions, omitted work and changes are priced, who confirms them, when written confirmation is obtained and any effect on the schedule.

Payments and deliverables

WHERE TO LOOK: Each payment amount, due point and the completed work or documents you can check at that stage.
WHY IT CHANGES THE COMPARISON: Similar totals may have different payment terms. “Progress payment” alone does not show what should be delivered when payment is due.
A QUESTION TO SEND: Please pair each payment amount with the work or documents due at that stage. State how completion is checked and how unfinished items are handled.

Acceptance, corrections and warranty

WHERE TO LOOK: Completion, acceptance checks, defect corrections, warranty coverage, exclusions and the contact responsible.
WHY IT CHANGES THE COMPARISON: A warranty period alone does not tell you what is covered or who responds. Different responsibilities also affect the comparison.
A QUESTION TO SEND: Please explain completion and acceptance checks, defect corrections, warranty coverage and exclusions. Identify the contact and agreed responsibilities for damage to the property or neighbouring property.

SII / REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION

Send the same questions to each firm.

This message brings the six checks together. After pasting, add the quote date, version and project scope. Ask for a revised quote or written attachment so you can compare the answers later.

When can you compare the totals?

The scope, specifications and measurement rules can be compared.
Separately charged work with a confirmed price has been included on the same basis.
Unknown costs stay separate. Payment, delivery and warranty differences remain part of the decision.

Full inquiry text—select to copy

Hello, I am comparing renovation quotes and would like to confirm their scope and terms. Please clarify the following for the current quote version:

1. Please list the scope, inclusions and exclusions for each work item. Confirm whether protection, making good, waste removal, finishing, testing and cleaning are included in the total.

2. Please provide the brand, model, size, thickness and grade of the main materials. For any permitted substitution, explain the specification, price difference and advance confirmation process.

3. Please add quantities, units, measurement methods, unit rates and subtotals. Explain what each lump sum covers and identify tax, delivery and other separately charged items.

4. Please list items awaiting site confirmation and explain how additions, omitted work and changes are priced, who confirms them, when written confirmation is obtained and any effect on the schedule.

5. Please pair each payment amount with the work or documents due at that stage. State how completion is checked and how unfinished items are handled.

6. Please explain completion and acceptance checks, defect corrections, warranty coverage and exclusions. Identify the contact and agreed responsibilities for damage to the property or neighbouring property.

Please identify the quote date and version, and record confirmed details in a revised quote or written attachment. List unresolved items separately rather than treating them as free or included. Thank you.

This only copies text. It does not send a message or upload your quote.

STANDARD INTEGRITY INSTITUTE
DOCUMENT REVIEW / 04 DIMENSIONS

Still unsure what a quote covers? Ask SII to review the documents.

Upload the quote and supporting attachments for Free Key Results. SII identifies Document Maturity, main risk signals and details to clarify, helping you work out what to ask next.

Transparency

Is the scope, quantity and material specification clear?

Consistency

Do the line items, totals and notes agree?

Reasonableness

Are there duplicate charges or differences to clarify?

Executability

How are changes, payments and acceptance confirmed?

Upload your quote for Free Key Results

Before choosing the lower quote

Should I rule out the cheapest quote?

No. Once scope, specifications, quantities and terms can be compared, a lower quote can be considered. Comparing documents does not establish construction quality or decide which firm to choose.

Does a large price gap mean someone is overcharging?

The gap alone cannot tell you that. Identify differences in scope, materials, quantities and included charges, then ask both firms to explain them. This checks the documents; it does not estimate profit margins or establish market value.

Is “subject to site conditions” acceptable?

Some work needs a site inspection before it can be priced. Ask which items are unresolved, when they will be confirmed, the pricing basis and the written confirmation process. Keep unanswered costs separate rather than counting them as zero.

Do I still need details if a total price is written down?

Check whether that total has a clear scope. One number may not explain which work, materials or conditions it includes. Itemised details and attachments make a line-by-line comparison possible.

Will SII tell me which quote is the best value?

No. SII reviews documents for Transparency, Consistency, Reasonableness and Executability. It does not rank contractors or provide market-price appraisals. LEVEL 1–5 describes Document Maturity only, not contractor quality.

When should I ask these questions?

Ideally, clarify them before paying a deposit, signing or starting work, while the quote can still be updated. If work has started, gather the current version and change records. Seek appropriate professional advice for individual legal or engineering questions.

SII reviews documents, not contractors or individuals. It does not provide legal advice, engineering or market-price appraisals, or construction-quality guarantees. Choosing a contractor, signing and making payments remain your decisions.