Give each contractor the same brief
Send the same drawings, property information, room schedule and intended finishes to each contractor. Include the current construction stage, work already completed and any other contractors involved.
State which materials you already own and which you expect supplied. If a choice remains open, identify it so the contractor can explain the assumption behind the price. Keep a dated brief and record subsequent changes against it.
Use a scope comparison table
Record the answer for each quotation. Treat an unclear item as a clarification to obtain in writing before comparing totals.
| Item | What to compare |
|---|---|
| Electrical and plumbing | Layouts, points or connections, installation stages, testing and agreed documentation. |
| Gypsum and plastering | Areas, specification, openings, access points and preparation. |
| Painting and tiling | Areas, existing surfaces, preparation, materials, setting-out and detailing. |
| Materials | Who supplies each item, specified products or allowances, and delivery responsibilities. |
| Programme | Start conditions, decisions, material dependencies and other trades. |
| Changes and exclusions | Excluded work, provisional items and how extra work is approved. |
| Completion | Review of finished areas, outstanding items, handover and the stated payment basis. |
Clarify an ambiguous line item
If a quotation says “bathroom tiling”, ask which walls and floor are included, whether existing tiles are removed, what preparation is allowed, who supplies installation materials and how edges and junctions are finished.
Where plumbing, electrical work or a ceiling is also needed, identify who coordinates those interfaces. A lower figure may cover a smaller package, while another figure may include preparation or supply. Written answers establish what the prices actually describe.
Our tiling page and bathroom planning guide provide further details to include in the enquiry.
Define turnkey for your property
Ask for the included disciplines, areas and responsibilities to be listed. Design responsibility, demolition, structural work and specialist packages should be discussed and expressly included before they become assumptions.
WS's published offering combines electrical, plumbing, water systems, gypsum, plastering, tiling, painting and related finishing within an agreed scope. The turnkey service page explains how to start that discussion and links to the relevant trade experience.
Agree changes and completion before proceeding
Ask what happens if a fitting changes, additional preparation is discovered or access is delayed. Agree who approves changes, what information is supplied before approval and how price and programme updates are recorded.
Keep the accepted quotation, drawings and finish schedule together. Confirm how completed work is reviewed, what handover information is included and how outstanding items are recorded.
For a quotation WS can assess, provide the location, plans, current stage, photographs, selected finishes and preferred dates. Identify client-supplied materials and access constraints. The team can review the brief and confirm whether a site visit or further information is needed.
Discuss your project with WS.
Send the location, current stage, drawings or photographs and the work you need. We will review the information and confirm the next step.
Request a quotation