SII RATING SYSTEM / LEVEL 1–5

We don't rate contractors.We assess the document.

SII LEVEL 1–5 shows whether a renovation or construction quotation has enough structure to be read, compared, and reviewed before you sign or pay.

A higher LEVEL means a more mature document. It does not mean a better contractor, and it does not mean zero project risk.

Explore LEVEL 1–5 View the 30 public review criteria

INFORMATION GAPSREVIEW READINESS

L1InsufficientL2BasicL3ReviewableL4CompleteL5Ready

SII / METHODSTANDARD INTEGRITY INSTITUTE

READCOMPAREDISCUSS

DOCUMENT MATURITYLEVEL 1–5

WHAT THE LEVEL MEANS

Understand the scale before you interpret the LEVEL.

The LEVEL 1–5 system is not a credit or contractor score. It describes how a quotation develops from insufficient information into a mature basis for review.

01DOCUMENT

The document is assessed

SII examines whether the quotation is clear, complete, and traceable. It does not score a contractor, designer, or company.

02MATURITY

The LEVEL describes maturity

A higher LEVEL means the document offers a stronger basis for reading, comparison, discussion, and further review.

03NOT A GUARANTEE

A high LEVEL is not a guarantee

LEVEL 5 does not guarantee workmanship, performance, legal outcomes, or a dispute-free project.

FIVE LEVELS OF DOCUMENT MATURITY

How mature is the quotation in front of you?

Select LEVEL 1–5. Each LEVEL describes a different state of document readiness and a different next step.

MORE INFORMATION GAPSGREATER REVIEW READINESS

REVIEWABLE

Reviewable

Most principal work items and prices have a usable structure. Comparison can begin, while remaining specifications and responsibilities still require confirmation.

CURRENT STATUSA workable basis for review and comparison

COMMON SIGNALS

Main work items, quantities, and prices are largely present.

A limited number of important specifications remain unclear.

The document has comparison value but still needs pre-signing confirmation.

WHAT TO DO NEXT

What should happen next?

Compare the options while converting payment, change, acceptance, warranty, and other ambiguous items into written confirmations.

SII / LEVEL 3Ready to compare does not mean ready to sign.

LEVEL 4 VS. LEVEL 5

The final two LEVELS are the easiest to confuse.

LEVEL 4 means the document is substantially complete. LEVEL 5 goes further by providing a more mature and traceable basis for final review.

Structurally Complete

Principal work, price, material, and performance information is well structured, though a small number of exceptions may still need attention.

CORE IDEAMost of what should be present is present.

Review Ready

Beyond completeness, key prices, scope, materials, and responsibilities form a more consistent and traceable basis for final checks.

CORE IDEAComplete, consistent, and better prepared for final confirmation.

FOUR REVIEW DIMENSIONS

Where does the LEVEL come from? Start with four dimensions.

SII does not look only at the total price. It reviews the document through Transparency, Consistency, Reasonableness, and Executability.

01TRANSPARENCY

Transparency

Are price, materials, brands, specifications, and work scope disclosed clearly rather than hidden behind vague labels or totals?

02CONSISTENCY

Consistency

Do units, quantities, amounts, dates, and work boundaries agree across the document?

03REASONABLENESS

Reasonableness

Do payment, cost, and pricing structures have enough documented basis to be checked against the quoted work?

04EXECUTABILITY

Executability

Do schedule, acceptance, warranty, change, and responsibility terms support performance and practical communication?

View the SII-R001–SII-R030 public review criteria

UPGRADE PATH

A better quotation is not more decorative. It is more explicit.

Moving from a lower LEVEL to a higher one means converting gaps and ambiguity into information that can be read, checked, and compared.

Complete the basic fields

Record work items, quantities, units, unit prices, and totals so the quotation can be read.

Break down vague pricing

Replace lump sums and site-dependent wording with defined content, quantities, or pricing rules.

Define materials and methods

Add brands, models, dimensions, grades, installation methods, and substitution rules.

Document performance terms

Record payment, schedule, acceptance, warranty, change, and responsibility terms.

Create a consistent comparison basis

Align price, specifications, scope, and responsibility before selecting between quotations.

WHEN TO REVIEW

The quotation does not need to be perfect before review begins.

Review is useful at every maturity stage. Finding gaps earlier creates more opportunity to resolve them before payment or signature.

01EARLY DRAFT

The first quotation has arrived

COMMONLY LEVEL 1–2

Identify what is missing before treating the total as a basis for negotiation.

02COMPARISON

Several quotations are being compared

COMMONLY LEVEL 2–4

Confirm that materials, scope, and responsibilities share the same comparison basis.

03BEFORE SIGNING

A deposit or signature is approaching

COMMONLY LEVEL 3–5

Confirm that payment, acceptance, warranty, changes, and responsibility are written down.

RATING SYSTEM FAQ

The questions most often misunderstood about SII LEVELS.

These answers define the purpose and boundary of the rating system.

01Does SII LEVEL 1–5 rate a contractor or renovation company?

No. It assesses the information maturity of the quotation. It is not a credit rating or a judgment about competence, legality, character, or integrity.

02Does LEVEL 5 mean the contractor is guaranteed to be safe?

No. LEVEL 5 means the document provides a mature basis for review. It does not guarantee workmanship, performance, legal outcomes, or a dispute-free project.

03Does LEVEL 1 mean the quotation or contractor is bad?

Not necessarily. LEVEL 1 means the current document does not provide enough information for effective understanding or comparison.

04Can a quotation move from LEVEL 2 to LEVEL 4 or LEVEL 5?

Yes. Maturity may improve when quantities, rates, specifications, scope, payment, acceptance, warranty, and change terms are clarified.

05How does SII determine document maturity?

SII reviews Transparency, Consistency, Reasonableness, and Executability, with further reference to SII-R001–SII-R030.

06What is the main difference between LEVEL 4 and LEVEL 5?

LEVEL 4 means the principal structure is substantially complete. LEVEL 5 adds a more mature, consistent, and traceable basis for final review.

07Should I simply choose the quotation with the higher LEVEL?

No. The LEVEL shows which document is easier to understand and compare. The final decision still depends on the required work, price, and terms.

08When should I submit a quotation to SII?

You can submit the first draft, documents under comparison, or the version approaching deposit or signature.

START WITH YOUR DOCUMENT

Do not guess whether the quotation is good. First see how mature the document is.

Upload the renovation or construction quotation you have now. Start with the document maturity and priority clarification directions in your Free Key Results.

FREE KEY RESULTSUPLOAD YOUR QUOTATION

PDFs, photos, or screenshotsNo need to know the LEVEL firstFree Key Results in 3–5 business days

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