INTEGRITY
INSTITUTE
SII / SCOPE CLARIFICATION DESK
“Bathroom renovation.”What does that price actually include?
Ask for the work locations first, then separate included, excluded and unresolved items. Match materials, removal, waste disposal, repairs and trade handovers to the documents so you can see what the total covers.
Missing wording does not automatically mean included—or extra. Ask before drawing conclusions about either party.
Illustrative document · not a case study
“Bathroom renovation: lump sum.” What is still missing?
- The short description
- Bathroom renovation, carried out to suit site conditions.
- Add the locations
- Which bathroom, walls and floor areas? Ask for marks on photos or drawings, with dimensions and revision references.
- Identify the work
- List demolition, surface preparation, waterproofing, tiling, equipment installation, testing, waste removal and reinstatement. State what is included.
- Leave unknowns unresolved
- For existing pipework or concealed conditions not yet established, record how and by whom they will be checked and how changes will be quoted. Do not enter zero as a substitute.
This example explains what to ask. It does not prescribe specifications, prices or acceptance criteria.
Give each item one of three descriptions.
A written distinction is more useful than “that should all be covered”. Leave unanswered questions unresolved rather than filling in what you hope the answer will be.
- Confirmed as included
- Record the location, work, extent of completion and document reference. “Included” still needs an explanation of how far the work goes.
- Confirmed as excluded
- Identify excluded work, who will arrange it and any separate charges, quotation or handover arrangements.
- Still unresolved
- Record the information needed, who will check it, when a reply is expected and possible effects on cost and timing. Unresolved means neither free nor approved as an extra.
Ten questions behind a work-item name.
These cover seven scope topics: location, completion, inclusions, exclusions, trade handovers, unknown conditions and responsibility. Open the questions you need; the full inquiry always includes all ten.
01Where will the work take place?
Please mark the work locations on drawings, photos or measurement records, identifying the room, wall, floor or pipework section and the document date and revision. Which areas will remain untouched?
Keep this in the recordLocation marks, photo numbers, drawing references and retained areas linked to the quote item.
If the answer stops here“The whole bathroom”: check each area and surface. A room name does not establish that every fixture and finish is covered.
02Where does the work start and stop?
Please identify the boundaries, dimensions and quantity basis for each item. Where does a local repair or replacement meet retained work? Does the scope include opening up and reinstating the affected area?
Keep this in the recordCheckable boundaries and dimensions, with marked photos or drawings where needed—not only one total quantity.
If the answer stops here“Local repairs”: which area and connection point? Do not supply an assumed height or area yourself.
03Are preparation and finishing included?
Does the price include protection, handling, demolition, equipment, waste removal, surface preparation, repairs, cleaning and reinstatement? Please mark each as included, excluded or unresolved.
Keep this in the recordSupporting work and who pays for it, rather than only “labour and materials included”.
If the answer stops here“Everything is included”: ask for the item list and what waste removal, cleaning and reinstatement each involve.
04Which items and outside costs are excluded?
Please list excluded materials, equipment, applications and third-party charges, identifying who supplies or arranges each. For owner-supplied items, are handling, installation, connections and surrounding repairs included?
Keep this in the recordExclusions, owner-supplied specifications and delivery arrangements, plus installation, consumables and associated charges.
If the answer stops here“Equipment supplied by owner”: buying the product does not establish that installation or surrounding work is included.
05Who closes up after the next trade?
Who carries out, coordinates and pays for openings, boarding, filling, edge finishes, electrical or pipe connections and reinstatement? Please match these tasks to the trades and planned handover arrangements.
Keep this in the recordEach task, responsible party, cost and handover condition, checked across the relevant quotations.
If the answer stops here“The carpenter will deal with it after the plumber”: ask both parties to confirm their scope so the task is neither missed nor quoted twice.
06How are differences in measured quantities settled?
Which items have a fixed price for a defined scope, and which are paid by actual quantity? Who measures, when, using which units, rates and adjustment method, and how do both parties confirm the figures?
Keep this in the recordMeasurement records, calculation method, applicable items and confirmations. A quantity may describe scope without setting the payment calculation.
If the answer stops here“You pay for what we do”: clarify how it is measured, the applicable rate and when the quantity is confirmed.
07What happens when concealed conditions are found?
Who records, notifies and explains unknown or concealed conditions? How is affected work handled? Please describe the process for proposing a solution, identifying cost and timing effects and obtaining confirmation.
Keep this in the recordPhotos of the existing condition, location, unresolved points, proposed handling and the next update date. Urgent safety matters need appropriate site action.
If the answer stops here“We will see when we get there”: the outcome may be unknown, but the notification, quotation and confirmation process can still be explained.
08Who can confirm changes?
Who is authorised to confirm additions, omissions or changed methods for each party? What document and confirmation method are used? How are site conversations recorded along with cost, timing and revision details?
Keep this in the recordThe change, reason, amount or pricing basis, timing effect, confirming parties and date.
If the answer stops here“The worker on site agreed”: check authority and the records. This guide does not decide the legal effect of an oral agreement.
09What counts as completion?
How will completion of each work item be checked? What testing, cleaning, corrections, handover documents and follow-up checks are included? Please identify the project specifications or acceptance documents and who confirms the result.
Keep this in the recordAgreed completion requirements, checks, handover information and arrangements for outstanding items.
If the answer stops here“As long as it works”: clarify appearance, function, testing and finishing requirements. Use qualified help where specialist assessment is needed.
10How are damage or discrepancies handled?
If existing property is damaged, or dimensions or materials differ from the agreement, how is it recorded, reported and investigated? What arrangements cover repair, reinstatement, timing, costs and unresolved disagreements?
Keep this in the recordBefore-work records, photos, replies and proposed handling, separating agreed points from those still being investigated.
If the answer stops here“We will take responsibility”: ask for the scope and process without treating cause, liability or cost as already established.
Take the questions—or a blank scope record.
The inquiry contains all ten questions. The blank record helps organise the replies. Copy either into your own document and add project details; this page sends nothing and accepts no changes for you.
Four things to do with the replies.
- Separate included, excluded and unresolved items. Do not automatically read a blank as zero cost or included work.
- Match locations, tasks and responsible parties to the drawings and quote. Check trade handovers for omissions and duplication.
- Record the effect of changes on costs, timing and methods separately. Follow the agreed confirmation process and keep the record.
- Compare revisions of the quote, drawings, specifications and contract attachments. Ask both parties to resolve differences rather than assuming one document has legal priority.
Six phrases worth a follow-up question.
These words may already be explained in an attachment. Check the available documents first, then ask about what is missing.
Location and content
“Whole home”
List the rooms and surfaces. Ask about balconies, ceilings, areas behind cabinets and retained areas rather than expanding the scope based on the phrase alone.
“Local repairs”
Mark the area and boundaries, with dimensions or a measurement basis. Include the extent of surface finishing after the repair.
“Lump sum, including labour and materials”
Find the scope and specification attachments, then check materials, labour, preparation, waste removal and finishing. One total can have detailed supporting documents.
Site conditions and handovers
“Subject to site conditions”
Which conditions are known and which remain uncertain? Who checks the unknowns, when are you told, and how are costs and timing confirmed?
“By another trade”
Name the receiving party, task, handover arrangement and cost responsibility. Check that the other quotation also includes the task.
“Necessary repairs charged separately”
What circumstances trigger the charge? Ask how the reason, scope and estimate will be explained and confirmed. “Necessary” alone is not a record of approval.
Six common scope questions.
What should I do first if the scope is unclear?
Mark items that do not answer where, how far or what is included. Find the related drawings and attachments, then send the inquiry. A checklist cannot decide whether to sign; seek suitable professional advice for significant cost or contract concerns.
Does a lump sum mean the scope is unclear?
Not necessarily. One total can refer to detailed drawings, specifications and scope attachments. Check that they describe the same work, then compare inclusions, exclusions, quantity basis and change arrangements. The pricing unit alone does not establish anything about a contractor.
Must everything appear on the quotation itself?
No. Drawings, specifications, work descriptions and contract attachments can supply detail. Identify the project, item, date and revision, and clarify inconsistencies and how both parties confirm the documents.
How can concealed work be described before demolition?
Separate the known scope, assumptions behind the estimate and conditions still to be established. Define recording, notification, assessment, quotation and confirmation arrangements without inventing unsupported specifications or amounts. Urgent safety issues need appropriate site action.
Will clear scope prevent all extra charges?
No. New requests, measured quantities or previously unknown conditions may change the work. Clear records help compare the original agreement with the proposed change and confirm costs and timing. They do not establish that every extra is justified—or unjustified.
Can SII decide whether a contractor acted illegally?
No. SII reviews the submitted documents and how they relate, identifying missing or unclear information. It does not rate contractors or people, determine workmanship, or decide illegality or fraud. Use suitable professionals for legal, site and specialist engineering matters.
This is a document-reading and question guide, not a construction standard, legal conclusion or quality guarantee. It does not determine either party’s liability. Seek appropriate help for safety, concealed work or disputes.
STANDARD INTEGRITY INSTITUTE
READ → COMPARE → DISCUSS
Do the quote, drawings and replies disagree?
SII reviews submitted documents through Transparency, Consistency, Reasonableness and Executability, identifying points to clarify. LEVEL 1–5 describes Document Maturity only—not contractor ratings or approval of the works.