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SII / QUOTE FOLLOW-UP WORKBOOK

What should you ask about a lump-sum quote?Get more than “it’s all included”.

Ask for the scope, quantities, materials and price adjustments in writing. These eight questions are ready to copy, one at a time or together. Each shows where the answer belongs in your documents.

Work through the eight questionsPrepare the full inquiry

You do not need construction jargon or access to internal costs. Start with the work you are paying for.

SII / INQUIRY WORKBOOK

Eight questions. One quote to refer to.

  1. Work
  2. Location
  3. Exclusions
  4. Quantities
  5. Materials
  6. Completion
  7. Reductions
  8. Changes

Quote date · Version · Work-item reference

An inquiry checklist—not a project review or rating.
  1. Ask with the quote in hand
  2. Keep track of the replies
  3. Update the same document version

Choose a question. See what to ask.

Start with what is unclear. Mark written replies as received, then check them against the quote and attachments. Receiving an answer is not the same as verifying it.

Which work is included in the lump sum?
Why it matters
“We handle everything” can leave preparation and finishing work open to different interpretations. A list of tasks is easier to check.
Where to record the answer
List included tasks in the quote schedule or scope attachment, linked to this lump-sum work item.

Ask this

Please list the work included in this lump sum. Confirm which protection, demolition, handling, waste removal, construction, installation, making good and final cleaning tasks are included in the total.

Exactly where does the work start and stop?
Why it matters
Two people can read “living room works” and picture different walls, ceilings or edge finishes.
Where to record the answer
Add locations, extent and interface responsibilities to a scope schedule or marked-up drawing, with its reference and version.

Ask this

Please identify the rooms, locations and limits of the work—for example, which wall, floor area or cabinet. Reference the relevant drawing number and version, and state who finishes the junctions with adjoining work.

What is excluded or supplied by me?
Why it matters
An exclusion is useful information. An item that is not mentioned should not be assumed to be free or included.
Where to record the answer
Use an exclusions, separate-charges and owner-supplied schedule. State responsibilities and costs; keep unknown amounts on an open list.

Ask this

Please list exclusions, separately quoted work and owner-supplied items. For owner-supplied materials or equipment, who handles delivery, storage, installation, accessories, connections and making good? Please give an amount or pricing method for separate charges.

Which quantities is the total based on?
Why it matters
Without a quantity basis, it is hard to tell whether a change in site quantities should change the total.
Where to record the answer
Add a quantity schedule, measurement basis, assumptions for estimates, confirmation dates and adjustment method.

Ask this

Please list the areas, lengths, points, units or sets used for this lump sum, with units and measurement methods. Mark quantities that are estimates, and state when they will be confirmed and how increases or reductions will be priced.

Which materials—and how are substitutions agreed?
Why it matters
“Equivalent” does not explain what is being compared, or whether appearance, price or timing will change.
Where to record the answer
Add a materials and equipment schedule. Record the original and replacement specifications, cost difference and confirmation for substitutions.

Ask this

Please specify the main materials and equipment by brand, model, size, thickness, grade and finish where relevant. Before a substitution, provide the proposed specification, price difference and time impact, and state who confirms it and how.

What counts as complete, and what triggers payment?
Why it matters
“Payment on completion” can still leave the meaning of completion, inspection and outstanding work unclear.
Where to record the answer
Link completion criteria, checks, outstanding-work handling and payment stages in the work description and payment or acceptance terms.

Ask this

Please state the main methods, completion scope, checks or tests, and who confirms completion. Which completed work or documents does each payment stage relate to? Explain how missing or remedial work is recorded, addressed and checked again.

How is the price reduced if we remove work?
Why it matters
Removing half the work does not automatically mean half the price. Incurred and shared costs need a stated, agreed basis.
Where to record the answer
List removed work, quantities, calculation basis, incurred costs and the revised amount in a deduction or change record.

Ask this

If we cancel or reduce part of the work, how will the deduction be calculated? Please provide unit rates or a breakdown where available, explain purchased materials, completed work and shared costs separately, and show the revised total before confirmation.

When are additions and changes priced and confirmed?
Why it matters
“Do it now and price it later” can leave no clear record of the scope, amount or instruction.
Where to record the answer
Use a change record covering work, quantities, price, timing, payment and confirmation by both parties, linked to the original quote version.

Ask this

Before changed or additional work starts, please provide its scope, reason, price adjustment, pricing basis, and effects on timing and payment. Explain the written confirmation process. Also agree how urgent situations are communicated, authorised and documented.

SII / REQUEST FOR CLARIFICATION

Have the questions ready to send.

Add the quote date, version and work-item reference after pasting. Read either a single question or the full inquiry below.

Showing all eight questions

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

Three things to do with the reply

  1. Match it to the work item

    Check which lump-sum item, location and quote the answer refers to. Keep replies for different versions apart.

  2. Separate what is still open

    If quantities, substitute materials or separate charges are undecided, list what is missing, who will supply it and when. Do not enter zero.

  3. Update the quote and attachments

    Keep verbal or chat replies, then ask for the details in matching documents. For comparisons, ask each firm to respond to the same scope.

STANDARD INTEGRITY INSTITUTE
DOCUMENT REVIEW

Still unsure what your documents are missing?

SII reviews quotation documents, not contractors. Upload the quote with its attachments for Free Key Results: Document Maturity, main risk signals and details to clarify.

  • Transparency
  • Consistency
  • Reasonableness
  • Executability

LEVEL 1–5 describes Document Maturity only—not contractor quality, value for money or a risk-free project.

Upload your quote for Free Key ResultsRead the SII-R001–SII-R030 public criteria

Other questions you may have

Is lump-sum pricing unreasonable?

Not by itself. It combines work into one price. Look for scope, quantities, specifications and change conditions in the quote and attachments. Ask for missing information rather than judging a contractor or price from the label.

What if the firm will not break down every unit price?

Ask for included and excluded tasks, locations, the quantity basis, main specifications, completion conditions and the method for pricing additions or reductions. Identifiable deliverables are different from disclosure of every internal cost.

Do I need all eight questions for a small job?

Start with questions relevant to the work and still unanswered. A smaller job still needs clear limits, separate charges and a way to confirm changes. Note genuinely inapplicable items in the documents; do not request irrelevant detail just to fill the checklist.

Should I reject a quote with many lump-sum items?

Not based on the count alone. Check whether each item has a schedule or attachment that explains it, request missing information, and consider the service scope alongside your own selection criteria. SII does not rank or recommend contractors.

Must a deduction be proportional to the work removed?

Do not assume an automatic proportional reduction. Check the agreement and distinguish unperformed work, purchased materials, completed work and shared costs. Ask for a calculation basis and keep the confirmation. Seek appropriate professional advice for a particular refund or rights dispute.

Is it safe to sign once I receive all eight replies?

Receiving information does not prove it is accurate, consistent or suitable for your project. Cross-check scope, quantities, drawings, payment and change terms. This tool is only an inquiry reminder; SII’s Free Key Results are not permission to sign or a safety guarantee.

This page helps you read documents and prepare questions. It is not legal advice, an engineering or price appraisal, or a construction-quality guarantee. Seek appropriate professional advice for individual legal or engineering questions.

Understand lump-sum pricingCheck the required quote fieldsPrepare questions before signingWork through a quote checklist

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© 2026 Standard Integrity Institute (SII). All rights reserved.

This report and the website content are intended solely as strategic reference for pricing and contract negotiations, and do not constitute formal legal endorsement.

© 2026 Standard Integrity Institute (SII). All rights reserved.

This report and the website content are intended solely as strategic reference for pricing and contract negotiations, and do not constitute formal legal endorsement.