When you get to the point in your building journey where you’re deciding on a builder, you might be surprised to find that your builder is charging you for a quote. If your builder is charging for a quote, this is a good sign and if they’re offering a free quote, it could be an indicator of complications to come.

Keep reading to find out why good builders charge for quotes.

An accurate quote takes time and resources 

In order for a quote to be meaningful, it has to be accurate and contain clear and detailed information for both you and your builder. An accurate quote takes a significant amount of time, resource and cost to prepare, as each project is different in terms of scope, inclusions and site conditions.

Generating an accurate quote includes calculating the cost of labour and materials required to build your home, as well as other costs such as building permits and council approvals.

How much will it cost?

Given the significant amount of time, effort and cost that goes into the preparation of a detailed and accurate quote, you can expect to pay between $500 and $3,300 for this service. The exact cost of the quote will depend on the size and complexity of the job and the quality of the documentation provided.

The final quote will include a full breakdown of all costs associated with your project.

Why should you be wary of a free quote?

It’s easy to get a free quote, but be warned – builders who offer these will not want to spend the necessary time or effort to do it accurately. They will often apply a square metre rate or low-ball the quote and make up their margin by lowering standards or adding extras during the build.

All too often, clients engage the lowest cost builder because it can be hard to understand a more detailed and intricate quote. But what sounds like a good deal in the beginning can end up more costly or worse – the project fails to achieve the desired outcome. This can easily lead to a devastating budget blowout or an unsatisfactory home that will require extensive re-work in the future.

Ultimately, it’s up to you as the client whether you want to proceed with a builder that charges for quotes, however you should be wary of builders who quote for free, as these will often be based on high-level estimates, may be inaccurate and are likely to come back and bite you later in the form of expensive contract variations.

Why should you work with a builder who charges for quotes?

A paid quotation service allows builders to spend more time deeply investigating your project to produce an accurate cost estimate. This is particularly true for a home renovation where multiple site visits and confirmation may be required. If builders are willing to enter into an agreement with you, they are committed to producing a quality quote with the entire scope assessed and unforeseeable items allowed for, as far as practicable.

Furthermore, if you choose a builder who is dedicated to producing an accurate and detailed quote, it means they’re more likely to be diligent, trustworthy and dedicated to the details during the construction of your home. This will no doubt result in a home of superior quality and craftsmanship.

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Are you looking to work with a builder who strives for accuracy, detail and high-quality finishes? Get in touch with the expert team at ARCA today.