What to put in a building or electrical quote

Building quotes

The drawings and specification

Say which drawings or specification the price is based on, including the revision, for example "Price based on architect's drawings revision C". If the drawings change, it's clear the price may too.

Exclusions

List what isn't included. Common ones:

• Building Control and planning fees.
• Kitchen fit, sanitaryware or other items supplied and fitted by others.
• Decorating after plastering.

Unforeseen ground or structural issues

Say how you'll handle what you can't see: poor ground needing deeper foundations, hidden drains, or structural problems once walls are opened up. A good approach is to stop, show the customer, and agree a price before going further.

Payment stages

Tie payments to stages you can both see, such as foundations, wall plate or watertight, and completion. Put the amounts in the quote.

Bojit sends one invoice for the full amount, so agree any stage payments with the customer in writing and track them yourself.

Waste

Say whether skips and waste removal are included, and who arranges any skip permit for the road.

Electrical quotes in England and Wales

Notifiable work under Part P

Some electrical work in homes is notifiable under Part P of the Building Regulations, for example adding a new circuit, replacing a consumer unit, and some work in rooms with a bath or shower. The rules differ slightly between England and Wales: in Wales, some work in kitchens and outdoors is also notifiable. Check Approved Document P, or the Welsh Government guidance, if you're unsure.

How it's notified

• By an electrician registered with a competent person scheme, who self-certifies the work, or
• Through building control, before the work starts.

Certificates

• The customer should receive an Electrical Installation Certificate, or a Minor Works Certificate for minor work.
• Where the work is notified through a registered electrician, the customer should also receive a Building Regulations compliance certificate (in Wales, within 30 days of completion).

Say in the quote which of these are included, for example "Building Regulations notification and Electrical Installation Certificate included."

Scotland and Northern Ireland

Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own building rules, which differ from England and Wales. Check the rules where the job is before you write notification or certificates into a quote.

Quotes for your trade

See how a builder's or electrician's quote looks in Bojit, with an example from a sample business for each trade.

Sources

• GOV.WALES: Building regulations: electrics
• GOV.UK: Approved Document P (electrical safety)

General guidance for UK tradespeople, not legal or tax advice.