Building Contracts

Why the Cheapest Builder Quote in Sydney Can Cost You More

Warning guide explaining why the cheapest building quote often hides risk through allowances, exclusions and vague scope.

TL;DR The cheapest quote is often cheap because something is missing, vague or underallowed. Low quotes frequently hide risk inside prime cost items, provisional sums, excluded works and unrealistic assumptions. A cheap starting number can become an expensive final contract if the scope is not clear. Why Cheap Quotes Win Attention When homeowners compare builders, the cheapest number stands out. But building quotes are not like identical supermarket items. The scope can vary enormously. A low quote can be low because it has: more exclusions lower allowances less complete documentation less realistic site assumptions cheaper materials or labour assumptions Prime Cost Items Prime Cost (PC) items are allowances for things not fully selected at quote stage, such as appliances, tiles or tapware…