14/05/2026
Why the Same Job Gets Three Wildly Different Quotes 💷🔍
You ask three builders for a price. One says £15k, one says £25k, one says £40k. 😯
Same plans. Same walls. Same job. What gives? 🤔
Here's what's actually happening behind those numbers:
**1️⃣ Materials Quality**
A kitchen extension isn't just "bricks and windows." 🧱
The £15k quote might be using budget fixtures, thin insulation, and windows that rattle every time a lorry goes past. The £40k? Thermally efficient glazing, premium insulation, and fittings that won't need replacing before your youngest starts secondary school. 🪟✨
**2️⃣ Labour Experience**
Apprentices are cheaper. Experienced tradespeople cost more. But they also work faster, make fewer mistakes, and won't accidentally turn your load-bearing wall into a "feature opening." 👷♂️⚡
**3️⃣ What's Actually Included**
The £15k quote might exclude:
- 🚛 Skip hire (that'll be £400 you weren't expecting)
- 📋 Building control fees (surprise!)
- 📐 Architect fees
- 📊 Structural calculations
- 🔌 Utility relocations (hope you didn't like that socket where it was)
The £25k includes most of it. The £40k includes everything — plus someone who answers their phone. 📝✅📱
**4️⃣ The Hidden Cost of "Cheap"**
The cheapest quote often becomes the most expensive job. Why?
- ⏰ Delays caused by "I'll be there Tuesday" turning into next month
- 🔧 Rework when things aren't done right (why IS the floor sloping?)
- 🗣️ Disputes over "I thought that was included"
- 🏃 The builder ghosting you halfway through (classic)
**The Real Question:**
Not "What's the cheapest price?" but "What exactly am I paying for?" 💡
A good builder explains their quote line by line. A cheap one hopes you don't ask — until the invoice arrives. 📋👀💸
