Why You Should Never Accept a One-Page Building Quote
At first glance, a one-page quote might seem appealing: neat, simple, and easy to understand.
But when it comes to residential construction, simple doesn’t mean safe and one-page quotes often lead to the biggest financial shocks mid-build.
In this blog, we explain why you should always dig deeper than a single-page figure and how LPC Projects ensures transparency from the very beginning.
What’s Typically on a One-Page Quote?
A lump sum dollar amount (e.g. “$650,000 – Total Project Cost”)
A short list of general inclusions like “kitchen”, “bathroom”, “flooring”
A vague timeline (“12–18 weeks build time”)
It might look like a complete offering… but the gaps are where your risk lies.
Why It’s a Red Flag
1. No allowance breakdowns:
There’s no clarity around prime cost (PC) or provisional sum (PS) items. So when it comes time to choose your kitchen finishes or tiles, you could be told the “included” options were never actually budgeted for.
2. Inclusions vs exclusions are missing:
Is demolition included? Driveways? Landscaping? External stairs? Blinds? Without detail, these items may end up as surprise variations.
3. No trade breakdowns or scope separation:
If it doesn’t outline which trades are included (e.g. waterproofing, structural steel, external works), how can you compare it to another quote?
4. Budget blowouts become inevitable:
Vague quotes protect the builder, not the client. You’re committing without knowing what’s inside the box.
What a Proper Builder Quote Should Include
At LPC Projects, we believe in quoting clearly and thoroughly. A professional, detailed quote should contain:
Line-by-line breakdown of works by trade or category
PC and PS allowances based on actual selections or realistic expectations
A list of included works (and just as importantly, a list of excluded works)
A project program with estimated start and completion dates
Clear definitions of variation handling, reporting, and payment structures
Any known risks or assumptions disclosed upfront
Why It Protects Both Sides
Transparency doesn’t just protect the client, it protects the builder too. With clear expectations, everyone is working from the same plan.
At LPC Projects, we work on cost-plus contracts with full reporting, allowing our clients to:
- See every invoice and material cost
- Track the real cost of their project
- Avoid confusion or disputes mid-build
Final Advice Before You Sign Anything
Ask your builder:
“Can you walk me through this quote line by line?”
“What’s not included here that I should be aware of?”
“Are your PC/PS allowances realistic for the style of home I’m building?”
If they hesitate or brush off your questions… walk away.
Your quote is the foundation of your entire build. Don’t accept a quote that’s built on assumptions.
