Quote or estimate?

Most customers do not understand the significance of the difference between the 2 terms.  However, this can be fundamental to how much you have to pay and who bears the risk of anything going wrong.

Generally, an estimate is a best guess based on experience and expertise.  Where a contractor provides an estimate and a customer accepts it there is no obligation on the contractor to do the work or to limit the amount charged to the estimate.  With an estimate the customer is obliged to pay a "reasonable sum", which may be higher or lower than the figure in the estimate itself.  The only challenges the customer can then raise are as to how the amount was calculated, the amount of work done and/or that the contractor was negligent in their advice on the likely cost.

A quotation is a fixed price offer.  Once it is accepted the price cannot be changed save in accordance with the quote (for example if there is a clause allowing variance if the cost of materials changes) or the customer seeks to vary the contract (if the work to be done changes the contractor is entitled to change the amount they charge).

If you are having work done following a quote and want to change the works to be done we recommend you ask for a written quote on the effect such a change would have on the current price.  This should be done before you confirm you wish to make the change.