Why the cheapest construction quote can cost you the most
Two quotes for the same house can be far apart. Before you pick the lower one, check these five things so "additional costs" don't appear halfway through.
You asked three contractors for a quote. One is much lower than the others. It is natural to want to take it.
Sometimes the low quote really is the best deal. More often, it is low because something is missing, and you only find out when the work is half done and the contractor asks for more money to continue.
Here is how to tell the difference before you sign.
1. Is it itemized?
A single lump sum ("House construction: ₱___") tells you almost nothing. An itemized quote lists the work by stage and the materials by quantity, much like a bill of quantities: excavation, footings, columns, beams, slab, walls, roofing, electrical, plumbing, finishes.
Itemized quotes let you compare contractors line by line. They also make it much harder for costs to "appear" later.
2. Are the materials specified?
"Steel bars" and "concrete" can mean very different things. A proper quote names sizes and grades: the diameter of the rebar, the thickness of the hollow blocks, the concrete mix, the gauge of the roofing. Two quotes that look similar can differ simply because one uses thinner steel or weaker concrete.
If the quote does not say, ask. Then make sure the answer goes into the contract.
3. What is excluded?
Read the exclusions as carefully as the inclusions. Common items left out of low quotes:
- Building permit and other fees
- Electrical fixtures, switches and outlets
- Plumbing fixtures, tiles and paint
- Soil hauling and site cleanup
- Retaining walls or drainage on sloped lots
Each of these can add a significant amount. A quote that leaves them out is not cheaper; it is incomplete.
4. How are payments scheduled?
Look at when the contractor wants to be paid. A fair schedule ties payments to finished stages: foundation done, structure done, roof done, and so on. Be careful with any quote that asks for most of the money before work begins.
5. What happens when things change?
Plans change during almost every build. A good contract says how changes are priced and approved, ideally in writing and before the work is done. Without this, every change becomes a negotiation, usually at a bad time.
Compare quotes the right way
| Check | What to look for |
|---|---|
| Format | Itemized by stage and material |
| Materials | Sizes, grades and brands named |
| Exclusions | Listed clearly, in writing |
| Payments | Tied to finished stages |
| Changes | Written approval before work |
Ask us for an itemized quote
Our quotes are itemized, with specifications and exclusions written out. If you already have quotes from other contractors, we are happy to explain what each one includes, even if you don't choose us.