The cheapest quote can become the most expensive job

The lowest number doesn't tell you the whole story

You ask three providers to quote for the same job.

One comes back noticeably cheaper than the others.

Which one offers the best value?

You can't tell from the total alone.

A lower quote can be completely reasonable.

A provider may have lower overheads, source materials differently, work independently rather than with a larger team or simply price the job differently.

But quotes can also appear cheaper because they don't include exactly the same things.

Before comparing the totals, compare the jobs being quoted.

First check whether the scope is the same

“Paint the house.”

“Fix the roof.”

“Renovate the bathroom.”

These descriptions can mean very different things to different providers.

Compare whether each quote covers the same:

• areas or items;
• preparation;
• removal or demolition;
• installation;
• finishing;
• cleanup;
• disposal;
• testing or commissioning where relevant; and
• other agreed work.

For example, a R20,000 quote and a R25,000 quote aren't directly comparable if the second includes work the first doesn't. (These figures are purely illustrative, not typical prices.)

Compare materials, not just material cost

Check whether materials are:

• included or excluded;
• supplied by the customer or provider;
• specified by brand, type, grade, quantity or another useful description where relevant;
• subject to allowances; or
• still to be selected.

Two quotes can cover the same broad job but use different products or specifications.

That doesn't automatically make one better.

It means you need to understand what each price is based on.

Ask about allowances

If a quote includes an allowance for something that hasn't been selected yet, ask what happens if the final item costs more or less than the allowance.

Check what's excluded

Sometimes the most useful line in a quote is what isn't included.

Depending on the job, exclusions could include things such as:

• rubble removal;
• delivery;
• access equipment;
• specialist work;
• repairs discovered after work begins;
• finishes;
• fixtures;
• permits or approvals where applicable; or
• work by another trade.

Don't assume an exclusion is unfair.

The important thing is understanding it before you agree.

Ask how changes and additional work are handled

Not every extra charge means the original quote was deliberately misleading.

Work can change because:

• the customer changes the scope;
• hidden conditions are discovered;
• additional repairs become necessary;
• quantities change; or
• a different product is selected.

Ask:

How will additional work be quoted and approved before it goes ahead?

Having a process for variations can help avoid disputes about what was part of the original agreement.

Is it a quote or an estimate?

The words “quote” and “estimate” aren't always used in the same way.

If the document uses terms such as quote, quotation, estimate, provisional amount or allowance, ask what that means for the particular job and agreement.

Customers should understand:

• which amounts are fixed, if any;
• which can change;
• what assumptions the price is based on; and
• what would trigger a change.

Compare payment terms too

Two providers quoting the same total can still propose very different payment arrangements.

Compare:

• deposit amount;
• when the deposit is due;
• what it is intended to cover;
• milestone or progress payments;
• final-payment timing; and
• how additional work will be charged.

A deposit isn't automatically suspicious.

A larger or smaller deposit isn't automatically better.

There isn't one universal percentage that's right for every job.

If banking details unexpectedly change, verify the change directly using a contact method you already know and trust.

What about a quote that's much lower than the others?

Don't automatically reject it.

Instead, find out why it's different.

Useful questions include:

• Does it cover the same scope?
• Are the same materials or specifications included?
• Is labour included?
• Is preparation included?
• Is cleanup or disposal included?
• Are there allowances?
• Are there obvious exclusions?
• Is VAT included where applicable?
• Are there likely additional charges that aren't yet included?

There may be a perfectly reasonable explanation.

The goal is to understand the difference rather than assume the cheapest provider must be cutting corners.

A higher quote isn't proof of better work

Price alone works both ways.

A higher quote doesn't automatically mean:

• better materials;
• more experience;
• better workmanship;
• stronger qualifications;
• better customer service; or
• a better outcome.

Ask what you're receiving for the additional cost.

Reviews can add context, but they don't price the job

Reviews can help you understand previous customers' submitted experiences.

They can provide context around communication, work completed and other aspects customers chose to mention.

But reviews don't establish whether the quote in front of you is fair, complete or suitable for your job.

Read them alongside the actual scope and terms.

Previous work can help you ask better questions

For services where previous-work examples are relevant, look at projects similar to yours.

You can ask:

• Was this the provider's own work?
• What part of the project did they handle?
• Was the scope similar?
• Were similar materials used?

A portfolio can provide context.

It doesn't guarantee the result of your job.

Check relevant credentials separately

Some work may involve qualifications, professional registration, licences, certificates or other requirements.

Where relevant, check these independently through the appropriate official source.

A cheap quote isn't automatically unqualified work.

An expensive quote isn't proof that the required credentials are in place.

Where ID Verified fits

If a Know a Pro profile displays ID Verified, it means the Pro completed Know a Pro's required identity-verification process.

It doesn't mean Know a Pro has confirmed:

• that the quote is fair;
• that the price is competitive;
• that every item is included;
• the provider's qualifications;
• the materials;
• the workmanship; or
• the future outcome.

Identity verification and quote comparison answer different questions.

A simple quote-comparison checklist

Before choosing, compare:

1. Scope: Are they quoting for the same work?
2. Materials: What's included and what specification is being used?
3. Preparation: What needs to happen before the main work begins?
4. Exclusions: What will you need to arrange or pay for separately?
5. Allowances: Which amounts could change once final selections are made?
6. Additional work: How will changes be priced and approved?
7. Payment terms: What's due, when and why?
8. Timing: What timeframe is being proposed and what assumptions does it depend on?
9. Credentials: Are there job-specific requirements you should check?
10. Provider information: What do the profile, reviews and relevant previous-work examples tell you in context?

The bottom line

The cheapest quote can become expensive if important work, materials or costs weren't included.

But that doesn't mean the cheapest quote is automatically the wrong choice.

And paying more doesn't automatically buy better work.

Compare what you're actually getting before you compare the totals.

The useful question isn't simply:

“Which quote is cheapest?”

It's:

“What exactly is each provider quoting me for?”

This article provides general consumer information and was reviewed in September 2026. Pricing, quotations, estimates, materials and payment structures vary by provider and project. Compare the terms of the specific work you're considering and seek appropriate professional advice where necessary.