They send three photos of a “quick replaster”. You cannot see the bonding, the moisture, or whether the electrics sit in the chase. You reply £900 fixed because that is what last month’s similar room was. Then you are there four days. That is not unlucky. That is a quote that assumed the easy job.
Options that actually work
| Structure | Use when |
|---|---|
| Day rate | You cannot measure, or they will change their mind on site |
| Range (e.g. 2–4 days) | You can see a floor and a ceiling, not the middle |
| Survey / opening-up first | A small paid visit makes the rest quoteable |
| Fixed + contingency % | Most of it is known; a slice is not |
| Not-to-exceed + day rate inside | They want a cap; you still need a clock |
Rule of thumb: if a competent person in your trade would not bet a day’s money on the hours, it is not a tight fixed price. It is an estimate dressed as a quote.
Worked job
Alcove: could be a day if the plaster is sound, three if it is blown and the socket needs moving. True rate £40/hour. Chargeable day six hours on site after travel.
| Version | Money |
|---|---|
| Optimistic fixed (1 day) | £240 labour + materials |
| Likely (2 days) | £480 labour + materials |
| Bad substrate (3 days) | £720 labour + materials |
| Day rate stated up front | £240 / day, reviewed once opened |
Quote the day rate or the range. Do not send £240 and hope.
On the paper: “Labour at £240/day. If we open up and the plaster is blown / joists are wet, we stop and price the extra before carrying on.” That sentence earns more than a fake fixed total.
What people miss
Optimism is not a sales tactic. The customer who picked you for being cheapest will not pay the overrun with a smile. They will say the quote was the job.
A range without a trigger is still a fight. “£800–£1,400” needs what moves you up the range. Otherwise they heard £800.
Photos are not a survey. WhatsApp hides damp, asbestos stickers in the loft hatch, and the fact there is no parking. Write assumptions.
Scope creep is not “being helpful”. An extra socket while you are there is a new price, not a free hour because you were unsure at the start.
Related guides
FAQ
- Will I lose the job if I will not fix a price?
- You will lose some. You will also stop funding other people’s surprises. A short why — “I have not seen behind the board” — is enough.
- Is a range legally an estimate?
- Treat it as an estimate unless you are willing to stand at the top of the range. Say so on the paper. This is not legal advice.
- Can I still send a fixed price after a visit?
- Yes. That is often the point of the survey. Uncertain from photos; tight once you have been in the room.
- What contingency percentage is normal?
- Ten to twenty percent on labour when most of the job is visible. If you need 40%, you do not have a fixed price. Use a day rate.
