The company, the quote and the contract.

• The company
• Its registered activities match the worksCBE
• No social security or tax debtsonline
• Ten-year liability insurance, if requiredthe certificate
• The quote
• Each item described, quantities and VAT includedline by line
• The inspections listed: electricity, gas, heating, sewersin the quote
• The contract
• A reasonable deposit30% at most
• Schedule, extras, penalties and handover, in writingin the contract

Have several contractors price the same description, compare item by item, and choose: the architect advises, you decide.

• One description for everyone: the specifications and the bill of quantities.
• A short list of contractors who do this type of work, with references.
• Timescales, deposit and penalties stated from the tender stage.
• A much lower price often hides a forgotten item.

Up to 30% is considered acceptable. Do not exceed 40%.

During the works, what was agreed at the tender stage is the reference: a request for extras is first checked against the tender documents.