Most of the problems we are asked to fix started with a quote that left things out. It named a price, but not what the price covered, who would do the work, or when it would be done.
What still holds
A good quote answers three questions before any work starts: what the price includes, who will do the work, and when it will be finished. Get all three in writing and most jobs go the way you expect.
- A list of what the price includes.
- The name of the person doing the work.
- A start date and a finish date.
Before you compare prices, check that each quote lists the same work. A low price that leaves things out costs more by the end.
What gets struck
Two gaps cause trouble almost every time. The first is a price with no list of what it includes. The second is a start date with no end date. Either one, on its own, is enough to turn a simple job into a long argument.
If a quote you have is missing either one, ask for it before you sign. A good business will add it the same day.
