Trade guides
How to Compare Builder Quotes
Updated 11 June 2026 · 5 min read · Written for Australian homeowners and builders
Comparing builder quotes in Australia is rarely apples-to-apples. One builder quotes a fully fixed price with allowances spelled out; another hands you a one-page total with vague inclusions. This guide shows you exactly how to line them up.
Why two builder quotes for the same job can differ by $80k
Most variance comes down to four things: scope assumptions, PC (Prime Cost) and PS (Provisional Sum) allowances, exclusions, and the quality of materials specified. Until those are normalised, you're not really comparing price — you're comparing optimism.
The 6-step builder quote comparison process
- Define a single, written scope. Give every builder the same plans, finishes schedule and specification.
- Force itemisation. Ask for trade-by-trade breakdowns, not a single total.
- Normalise PC and PS sums. Replace one builder's $4,000 tap allowance with the other's $7,000 so price reflects scope, not allowance choice.
- List every exclusion side-by-side. Demolition, scaffold, council fees, soil testing, and connection fees are common gaps.
- Check the contract type. HIA, Master Builders, or a one-page proposal? The contract drives your risk just as much as the price.
- Score for value, not price. See Cheapest Quote vs Best Value for the scoring framework.
Side-by-side example
| Line item | Builder A | Builder B |
|---|---|---|
| Base build | $285,000 | $262,000 |
| PC sum — tiles | $60/m² | $40/m² |
| PC sum — tapware | $2,500 | $4,500 |
| Scaffold | Included | Excluded ($6,800) |
| Site clean | Included | Excluded |
| Contract | HIA fixed price | Custom 2-page agreement |
| True comparable price | $293,300 | $298,700 |
Licences, insurance and registrations to verify
- State builder's licence (NSW Fair Trading, QBCC, VBA, etc.) — current and matching the work value.
- Home warranty / domestic building insurance for jobs above the state threshold.
- Public liability of at least $10M.
- Workers' compensation cover for any employees on site.
The fastest way to compare
QuoteSift accepts up to five builder quotes and normalises PC sums, exclusions and trade breakdowns automatically. Pair it with our Quote Comparison Checklist before you sign.
Frequently asked questions
- How many builder quotes should I get?
- Three is the sweet spot for most renovations. Fewer and you have no reference price; more and you waste builders' time and your own without much extra signal.
- Should builder quotes be free in Australia?
- Initial quotes are typically free. Detailed tender pricing for custom builds may attract a fee (commonly $1,500–$5,000) which is often credited back if you sign.
- Is the lowest builder quote usually the riskiest?
- Often yes — it's frequently driven by missing scope, light allowances, or a builder trying to win the job and chase variations later.
Stop guessing whether a quote is fair
QuoteSift reads up to five quotes at once and produces a plain-English report: what's missing, what's inflated, what the best-value option actually is.