There are few things more frustrating when renovating your home than a quote that starts one way and ends in another, right? This usually isn’t a “bait and switch” – just variations as the project evolves. A variation is any modification to the initial brief after agreeing on a quote.
So why do variations happen?
Reason number one is most homeowners change their minds as they see things really coming together. Changing tiles, relocating doors and extra sockets or changing your kitchen layout can all have cost implications in terms of labour, materials etc. For Kitchens Swindon, visit www.mptiles.co.uk/kitchens/
Next thing is that some particulars are not very clear during the quoting process. Older homes can reveal some nasty surprises: rotten joists, dampness, old fashioned wiring/mains board location and lack of power points etc. Those creaky floorboards? As soon as work starts and those problems are discovered, the original plan has to change.
Provisions (or provisional sums) are another included in quotes. Areas where the specific products or costs have not been confirmed at this stage, eg sanitaryware, flooring or landscaping. However, if the last choices you decide on wind up costing more to install or take a bit longer for installation that price changes.
How to stay in control:
Require an explicit scope and parts list.
Approve in writing with cost and time ramifications – Request variations to be added to the amended quote.
Factor in a contingency budget (usually 10–15%) for older properties.
When well executed, changes are just the nature of doing business.
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