Talking Trades: All the Questions to Ask When Getting a Quote

If you’re aiming for a successful renovation, having great relationships with your tradespeople is one of the first things to get right.

We can’t champion great tradespeople enough. They manage the timing and execution of your dream bathroom, so working with a team that communicates well and that understands your vision is vital.

It all starts with approaching them to quote for your project, so here are our tips on starting off on the right foot.

What should you ask them?

The first question you need to ask is whether their team partake in the kind of work you’re looking for. This can involve browsing their website or even checking out their social media to see the kinds of work they’ve completed in the past.

It may seem like new territory, so the best way to learn more about your project and what’s involved is to ask them what their preferred process is. You want to feel comfortable and understand what you’ll need to do in the planning stage before the renovation even begins.

We also recommend to ask if they’ll handle permits and insurance for you, and whether they offer project management support.

What do they need to know?

This is the first time you’ll be explaining your bathroom vision to your potential team. While it may seem obvious to start with, there are many small details that need to be communicated to ensure your vision becomes reality.

To start off, begin by explaining the scope of the project; is it a new build, renovation, or retrofit? You’ll also want to have your dimensions ready, and an overall idea of what you want to achieve.

This is where you can bring your vision into the conversation, so that both you and your trades have a strong understanding of what you want to achieve, and to ensure that they’re the right team to execute your ideas perfectly.

What does a good quote look like?

A comprehensive quote will list out labour, material, and management fees, with full visibility of what you’ll get for your investment.

To ensure you’re getting the best value for money, explore a few different options to ensure you select the right team for your project, at the right price. If you feel one of the trades completely misses the mark, or hasn’t taken the time to understand your plans, don’t be afraid to look elsewhere. Remember, this is an investment in your home that you want to get right the first time.

Feeling confident in the team you select comes down to asking questions upfront and resolving any unknowns before diving into your project.

Every successful project starts with getting a solid team in place, which is why we’ve created The Bathroom Kit.

From building your moodboard, to understanding the terms tradespeople will use, the kit has everything you need to create a bathroom that’s even better than you imagined.