1. What Exactly Is Included in the Quotation?
Ask for a full, itemised breakdown — carpentry, electrical, plumbing, painting, disposal, and any “hacking” or demolition work. A single lump-sum figure makes it hard to know what you’re actually paying for, or to compare quotes fairly between designers.
2. What’s Excluded, and What Could Add to the Cost Later?
Many disputes come from items assumed to be included that weren’t — such as ceiling works, additional power points, or built-in appliances. Ask your ID to specifically confirm what falls outside the quoted price.
3. What’s the Payment Schedule?
Understand how payments are staged against project milestones (for example, a percentage upfront, a percentage at hacking completion, and a final payment on handover). Be cautious of any designer asking for the full amount upfront before work begins.
4. What Happens If There Are Delays or Defects?
Ask what recourse you have if the project overruns, or if you spot defects after handover. A reputable ID will offer a defects liability period and a clear process for follow-up fixes.
5. Are They Registered With CaseTrust or a Similar Accreditation?
Accreditation schemes such as CaseTrust for Renovation give you an added layer of protection and a formal channel for dispute resolution if something goes wrong.
Before You Sign Anything
Take the quotation home, read it in full, and don’t feel pressured to sign on the spot. If you’re financing part of the project with a renovation loan, having a clear, itemised quotation in hand also makes your loan application faster to assess.