Compare the quote,
not just the number.

From Lincoln and Josh at Linc Point · Updated October 2026

When three quotes land, most people flick straight to the number at the bottom. Fair enough, it is your money. But that number only means something once you know what is behind it.

Two quotes can be thousands of dollars apart and both be fair. Or one can be cheap because half the job is missing. A good quote tells you exactly what you are getting. A vague one leaves room for surprises, and surprises usually cost extra.

The eight things to line up

1. Scope

What work, exactly. "Replace gutters" is not a scope. "Remove and dispose of the old gutters along the front and both sides, supply and fit new quad gutter in the colour you have chosen, with new brackets and outlets" is. If the scopes do not match, the prices cannot be compared.

2. Inclusions

What is in the price. Materials, labour, rubbish removal, scaffolding or edge protection where it is needed, any approvals, and the clean-up.

3. Exclusions

What is not in the price. This is where cheap quotes hide things. Common ones: rotten timber found once the old work comes off, extra downpipes, electrical work, painting, and making good afterwards.

4. Materials

Brand, grade, size and colour. Two quotes for "new roof sheets" can be very different products. If a quote does not name the material, ask.

5. Timeframe

When it can start, how long it will take, and what happens if the weather turns. A cheaper quote that cannot start until autumn might not suit you.

6. Variations

How extra work gets priced and approved. You want any change agreed in writing, with a price, before it is done. Not explained on the invoice afterwards.

7. Payment terms

Deposit, progress payments and the final payment, and when each is due. Be wary of a big payment upfront. For domestic building work, Queensland law limits how big a deposit can be, and the QBCC website has the current limits.

8. Warranty

The workmanship warranty on the job, plus the manufacturer's warranty on the materials. Ask how long each one runs, and get it in writing.

Then check the licence. Our guide on checking a QBCC licence takes you through it in two minutes.

Why the cheapest is often not the cheapest

A low price can be completely legitimate. Lower overheads, a quiet week, a crew already working in your street. But it is worth knowing why. Common reasons a quote comes in low:

• Something has been left out, and it comes back as a variation once work starts
• Cheaper materials, or a lighter grade than the other quotes
• No allowance for what you only find once things come apart, like rotten fascia
• No edge protection or safety gear on a job that needs it
• The rubbish removal and clean-up are left to you

The fix is simple. Get every quote written against the same scope, then ask what is not included in the cheapest one. The answer tells you a lot.

Questions worth asking

• What is not included in this price?
• What happens if you find something unexpected once you start?
• Who will actually be doing the work?
• When do you need payment, and how much each time?
• What warranty do I get, and is it in writing?
• What is your licence number?

Side-by-side comparison sheet

Print it and fill it in with a pen, or just use it as a list of what to look for. Only tick a box when the quote actually says it in writing.

Price is one line on the quote

Last thing. Think about how each business dealt with you before you paid them a cent. Did they reply quickly? Answer your questions without making you feel silly? Turn up when they said they would? That is usually a fair preview of how the job will go.

How we do it

When we put a quote together, we write the scope out in plain words, list what is in and what is not, name the materials and spell out the payment terms. Then we walk you through it and answer the questions. If you have other quotes to compare it against, go for it. That is the whole point of a clear quote.