Repair cost estimate and bill of quantities
An estimate of what the repairs or works will cost, built up from quantities, so you can budget, negotiate a purchase or compare builders’ prices.
About this service
A repair cost estimate and bill of quantities tells you what the work found in a survey or inspection is likely to cost. We measure the quantities involved, such as square metres of repointing, lengths of new lintel or numbers of replacement ties, and build up an itemised estimate. You get a figure grounded in the actual scope rather than a guess, and a document builders can price against.
This is particularly useful when buying. A report that says a chimney needs rebuilding or a wall needs underpinning is alarming, but without a cost you cannot negotiate sensibly. An itemised estimate gives you a reasoned basis for discussing the price with the seller, and helps your lender or solicitor understand the scale of the issue. It also prevents you from overreacting to defects that turn out to be modest.
The bill of quantities is equally valuable once you are ready to appoint a builder. When every contractor prices the same list of items, quotes can be compared fairly, and gaps or inflated items stand out. Fees start from £500 + VAT. Contractor tendering and appointment are not included, but the bill is ready to send out as soon as you are.
When you need it
- A survey or inspection has found defects and you need to know the cost
- You are negotiating the price of a property
- You want to compare builders’ quotes on a like-for-like basis
What's included
- Measured quantities of the repair or building works
- Itemised cost estimate
- Bill of quantities ready to send to builders
How it works
- Review the findingsWe study the survey, inspection or design that describes the work, ask what decision the estimate will support, and confirm scope and a fixed fee in writing.
- Visit and measureWhere needed, we visit to measure the areas, lengths and numbers of items involved and to note access, scaffold, protection and other factors that affect cost.
- Build the bill of quantitiesWe break the work into clear, numbered items with quantities and descriptions, so each builder prices exactly the same scope and nothing is left implied.
- Price the estimateEach item is priced to produce an itemised estimate, with allowances for preliminaries and contingency clearly explained, so you understand exactly what drives the total.
- Issue the reportYou receive a repair cost report and a bill of quantities ready to send to builders, with notes on assumptions and items that could change once work starts.
What you receive
Using a cost estimate to negotiate a purchase or compare builders
An estimate is only as good as the scope behind it. If the underlying survey is vague about what needs doing, the cost will be vague too. That is why we often recommend a clear engineer's report first, such as a Specific Structural Inspection report, and our guide to a structural report for a house purchase explains how the two work together. Hidden defects can still add cost once work begins, so the estimate states its assumptions and includes a sensible contingency.
When comparing builders, the lowest total is not always the cheapest outcome. A bill of quantities exposes quotes that omit scaffolding, making good or disposal, or that price items far below a realistic level and recover the difference later through variations. If you want help running the tender and managing the job, a schedule of works and tender package takes the process further.
Not included
- Contractor tendering and appointment
Frequently asked questions
How accurate is a repair cost estimate before work starts?
A well-measured estimate is a reliable guide for budgeting and negotiation, but it is still an estimate. Contractor prices vary with workload and market conditions, and opening up can reveal hidden problems. We state our assumptions clearly and include a contingency so you can see how much uncertainty remains in the figure.
What is a bill of quantities for building work?
A bill of quantities is a list of every item of work with its measured quantity, such as metres of wall, numbers of lintels or square metres of roofing. Builders add their rates to each item. Because everyone prices the same list, quotes are directly comparable and differences are easy to spot and question.
Can I use a repair estimate to reduce the price of a house?
Yes, it is commonly used that way. An itemised estimate gives you a reasoned figure to put to the seller, rather than a rough guess that is easy to dismiss. Whether the seller accepts a reduction is a matter for negotiation, but evidence-based figures tend to carry more weight with sellers and agents.
Do I need a bill of quantities for a small repair job?
For a single small repair, a clear specification and a few quotes may be enough. A bill of quantities becomes worthwhile when there are several items of work, when quotes are wildly different, or when you need to show a lender or buyer a structured breakdown. We can advise which approach suits your situation.