So you have at least 3 quotes, now what?

If you have carefully selected your tender list, then choosing your builder should be relatively easy. If you have read my previous blogs you would have already selected builders that can provide what you are looking for. So once you take this variable out of the equation it comes down to scope and dollars.

What you are trying to do here is get all of the builders to price exactly the same scope. Once this is done you can either just go with the cheapest price, or negotiate with your favourite.
 

Make sure you take the time to properly compare builders quotes.

What I would do is create a simple spreadsheet with the builder's names across the top and the scope items down the left. Go through the builder’s inclusions and exclusions to start your list of items. Also look at the drawings for items that may not be obvious. Add items which may not be on the drawings such as scaffold or cleaning up. Add items you think are important.

If a builder has missed some of the items, ask them to price up the additional items. Or maybe they have overpriced the job, so ask them to take some of the items out.

In my experience, builders make mistakes (we are only human after all) or assumptions that can have a significant effect on the price. If you don’t go through the process of making sure everyone has allowed for the same scope then you will not have any confidence that the lowest price on the quotes will actually be the lowest price at the completion of the project. And don’t just look at the cheapest price. The most expensive price may have a perfectly legitimate reason and with a few questions they may realise their error and reduce their price.

This is also the best time to make sure the builders allow for everything you require. Trust me, you don’t want a builder on your pride and joy that has missed items. You will either have an argument with the builder when they ask for more money, the builder may cut corners elsewhere or heaven forbid they may even go broke.

So my advice is to ask heaps of questions (remember there are no dumb questions, only dumb answers), take your time and don’t be pressured, because once you sign a contract, there is no going back.