Should I always get three quotes for building work?

Three quotes is a sensible minimum for any job over a couple of thousand pounds. It gives you a genuine comparison and helps you spot any outliers. If one quote is dramatically cheaper, that should raise questions rather than excitement. A very low price often means corners will be cut, materials will be downgraded, or the builder has underestimated the job and will come back for extras later. Three quotes let you see the realistic price range.

For smaller jobs under a thousand pounds — a new door, some patching plastering, a fence repair — two quotes is often enough. The key is making sure both tradespeople have seen the job in person and are quoting for the same scope. Where three quotes become essential is on bigger projects like extensions, loft conversions, or full refurbishments. At that level the price variation can be significant and you need enough data points to make a confident decision.

The real value of getting three quotes is not just about price. It is about scope. Compare what each builder has included. Does the quote cover skip hire, scaffolding, building control fees? Is the specification clear — brand names, thicknesses, finishes? A quote that says "supply and fit kitchen" tells you nothing. A good quote breaks the work into sections so you can see exactly what you are paying for. Use TailoredQuote to generate a detailed scope and then compare like for like.