What a clear quotation includes
The Competition and Consumer Commission of Singapore (CCCS) published a fair trading guide for the renovation industry. It covers five areas, and each one is something to look for in your quote:
- An agreed timeline: projected start and completion dates in writing
- Transparent pricing: clear, itemised prices, with all mandatory charges shown upfront
- Accurate descriptions: works described clearly enough that you know what you're getting
- Clear policies: exchange, repair and refund terms stated in the contract
- Your consent: no goods or services supplied that you didn't agree to
What each line should tell you
For every item, you should be able to answer four questions: what, where, how much, and what it's made of.
| Vague | Clear |
|---|---|
| Kitchen cabinet – lump sum | Kitchen bottom cabinet, 3.2 m run, plywood carcass, [brand] laminate, soft-close hinges, [brand] quartz top |
| Hacking – TBC | Hack kitchen wall between kitchen and living, approx. 2.4 m, including PE endorsement and debris disposal |
| Floor – vinyl | Vinyl strip flooring, [brand/series], 4 mm, living and 3 bedrooms, approx. 65 sq m, including skirting |
The examples are illustrative. The point is that sizes, materials, brands and inclusions are written down.
6 words that cost you later
| Word in the quote | What to ask |
|---|---|
| “Lump sum” | What's inside it? Ask for sizes, materials and quantities. |
| “TBC” | What's the likely price range? Get it in writing. |
| “Approx.” | How will the final size be measured, and how will it be charged? |
| “Tiles up to $X psf” | This is an allowance. What will an upgrade cost? |
| “Selected laminate” | Which brand and series? |
| “Inclusive” | Inclusive of what, exactly? |
Questions to ask, section by section
| Section | Ask |
|---|---|
| Hacking and demolition | Is PE endorsement needed and included? Is debris disposal included? Who applies for the permit? |
| Masonry and tiling | Is waterproofing included in wet areas? Overlay or hack? Which tile size and brand, and what's the allowance? |
| Carpentry | Carcass material? Laminate brand and series? Internal fittings (drawers, hinges) included? |
| Electrical | How many power points, lights and data points? Is the DB box or rewiring included? Licensed electrician? |
| Plumbing | Concealed or exposed piping? Are sanitary fittings supplied, or install only? |
| Painting and cleaning | How many coats? Which paint brand? Is final chemical cleaning included? |
What's often not in the quote
Ask the ID to confirm, in writing, whether each of these is included:
- Electrical works (often quoted separately)
- Concealed piping (costs more than exposed piping)
- Professional Engineer (PE) endorsement for hacking
- Permits (HDB or MCST)
- Haulage and debris disposal
- Protection of floors, lifts and common areas
- Final cleaning
- Lighting, curtains and appliances
How to compare 2–3 quotes fairly
- Give every firm the same brief and floor plan
- Line quotes up item by item, not by the total
- Count the “TBC” and “lump sum” items in each: more unknowns means more risk
- Note what each quote leaves out, and add an estimate for it
- Compare the payment terms and timeline, not just the price
Variation orders (VOs)
A variation order is any work added to, or removed from, the signed quotation. Small VOs add up quickly. CaseTrust's standard renovation contract requires cost variations to be agreed in writing.
- Get the VO price in writing
- Sign it before the extra work starts
- Keep a running total of all VOs against your budget
More in our variation orders guide.
Payment terms to check
- Deposit kept small. CaseTrust-accredited firms cap the initial deposit at 20%.
- Is the deposit protected if the firm closes? CaseTrust firms buy a deposit performance bond.
- Payments tied to completed stages of work
- Payment into the company's bank account only, with the name matching the contract
- An official receipt for every payment
- Final payment held until defects are fixed
See a worked example in our payment schedule guide. Related: how to set a realistic renovation budget.
Want a second pair of eyes? See how we review a quotation.
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