Comparing quotes side by side

Once you have two or more quotes uploaded against a project, Compare Quotes at Dashboard → Quotes → Compare lays them out side-by-side.

What you see

For each quote:

• Total (ex-VAT and inc-VAT)
• Variance vs your calculator estimate (% above or below the midpoint of your range)
• Breakdown by trade if the quote was itemised (materials, labour, prelims, etc.)
• Highlights and gaps: anything in your Scope of Works that this contractor did or did not address explicitly

What to focus on

1. Total vs your range first. Any quote miles outside the range (high or low) needs explaining before you spend time on the detail.
2. Gaps in scope second. A quote that is £3,000 lower might be that low because it leaves out skip hire, scaffolding, and making-good. Those costs always exist. They just hit you mid-build as variations.
3. Specifics last. Once two or three quotes look credible and cover the full scope, then it is worth digging into specifics like brand of taps or grade of timber.

Mistakes to avoid

• Picking the cheapest without checking what's included. A "cheap" quote that misses 15% of the work is the most expensive quote you can pick.
• Picking the most expensive because you assume "you get what you pay for". Sometimes you do, sometimes the contractor is just busy.
• Picking before all three quotes are in. Two quotes is not enough comparison data. Wait for the third.