How to Compare Contractor Quotes for Your Home Extension or Renovation

When you're comparing quotes for your extension, renovation, or fit-out project, it’s natural to be drawn to the lowest number on the page. But here's the truth:

In construction, the lowest quote rarely equals the lowest final cost.

At DSN+BD Construction, we often meet clients who’ve been burned by “too good to be true” quotes from other contractors. Prices that seem cheap up front—but grow steadily (and sometimes painfully) as the project progresses.

Here’s what you need to know about how contractor quotes often work—and why our approach is refreshingly different.

The Industry’s Open Secret: Underquoting to Win

Let’s be frank.

It’s incredibly common for contractors to intentionally underprice their quotes in order to win work. This is usually done by:

• Omitting key items like decoration, internal wall and floor finishes, supply of key items such as windows, doors, sanitary ware, or landscaping

• Excluding necessary costs like structural engineer fees, building control fees, planning fees, party wall notices, waste removal, or scaffolding

• Allowing for the cheapest possible materials such as windows, doors or external finishes

• Vague allowances for kitchens, bathrooms, or glazing that are unrealistically low

• Avoiding provisional sums, leaving unknowns unaddressed

The quote may look neat and affordable—but it’s only part of the picture.

Once construction begins, these omissions surface and the conversation changes from "Here’s your price" to "That’s an extra."

Suddenly, your “affordable” quote is ballooning with variations, extras, and unexpected costs.

How DSN+BD Does It Differently

We don’t play games with numbers—and we don’t price to win. We price to deliver.

That means:

• We show the full cost of the project—not just the parts that look good on paper.

• We include allowances for finishes and fittings based on your goals and preferences.

• We highlight potential unknowns early so they can be managed, not hidden.

• We guide you through contingency planning so you're financially prepared—not stressed.

Our quotes are frank, transparent, and structured for clarity, not confusion. We’d rather be upfront than undercut.

What to Look for When Comparing Quotes

If you're comparing our quote to others, here’s how to read between the lines:

1. Is the scope clearly defined?

Cheap quotes often use vague language like “fit-out by others” or “client to supply”—which might sound fine until you realise you're footing the bill for key parts of the build.

✔️ At DSN+BD, we provide a fully itemised breakdown, so you know what’s included—and what’s not.

2. Are realistic allowances included?

Some quotes will allocate £1,500 for a kitchen. Or £300 for bathroom fittings. It looks good—but it’s not workable.

✔️ We use real-world numbers, based on your ambitions—not placeholder figures designed to impress.

3. Are professional services included?

Planning fees, building control, structural design, party wall surveyors… these often aren’t in the builder’s quote.

✔️ We include or clearly list all relevant third-party costs, so you're not blindsided down the line.

4. Is contingency discussed?

You should never go into a build without one. Good builders talk about contingency; bad ones wait until something goes wrong.

✔️ We help you build in a sensible contingency from day one, so you're always in control.

Why We Take This Approach

Because we’re not just trying to win your project—we’re trying to deliver it properly.

That means:

• No smoke and mirrors

• No lowballing followed by cost-creep

• No pressure to rush decisions to "stay on budget"

Instead, we offer honest advice, clear costs, and a commitment to doing things right—even if that means our quote isn’t the cheapest on paper.

In the end, we’d rather be accurate than appealing—and we believe our clients appreciate that.

Clients Trust DSN+BD Because:

✅ We price holistically, not just competitively
✅ We help you plan for the entire project, not just the build stage and not just the parts we are doing for you
✅ We avoid budget surprises by tackling the tricky conversations up front
✅ We deliver what we say we will—on time, on budget, and on principle

Want a Quote You Can Actually Trust?

If you're planning a residential extension, renovation, or commercial fit-out—and want to know what it will really cost—talk to us.

We’ll give you a realistic number, a clear breakdown, and the guidance to make informed, confident decisions.

At DSN+BD Construction, we don’t just build beautiful spaces. We build trust.