In short
- Compare the exact system, not just the brand.
- Check what preparation, beads, mesh and extras are included.
- Confirm scaffolding, skips, building control and making good are priced.
- Compare guarantees, payment terms and exclusions.
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The checklist
| Item | Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|---|---|---|
| System and products named | |||
| Remove or render over existing? | |||
| Repairs allowance | |||
| Beads: type and locations | |||
| Mesh: full or partial | |||
| Base stop above DPC | |||
| Sill extensions | |||
| Colour and finish | |||
| Sample panel | |||
| Scaffolding included | |||
| Skips and waste | |||
| Building control | |||
| Programme | |||
| Guarantee | |||
| Payment stages | |||
| Exclusions |
Reading the gaps
The cheapest quote often omits preparation or extras. Ask each contractor to price any missing items.
After choosing
Get a written contract with the specification attached. See choosing a rendering contractor.
The items most often left out
In practice, the gaps between quotes tend to fall in the same places:
- Preparation. One quote allows for hacking off hollow render; another assumes the wall is sound.
- Mesh. Full-face mesh in the base coat against mesh only at window corners.
- Beads. Stainless steel or quality PVC against galvanised steel, which can rust.
- Sills. Extending sills to clear the thicker wall is sometimes excluded.
- Services. Moving gas meters, downpipes, lights and satellite dishes.
- Making good. Repairs to paths, borders and paintwork after scaffold removal.
Provisional sums
Some quotes include provisional sums for work that cannot be known until render is removed, such as brick repairs. These are estimates, not fixed prices. Ask how they will be measured and charged, and set a cap if you can.
Payment stages
A fair structure ties payments to progress: a modest deposit for materials, stage payments as base and finish coats are completed, and the balance on satisfactory completion. Be cautious of anyone asking for most of the price before starting.
Questions that separate good contractors
- How did you test the existing wall, and what did you find?
- Which elevations will be finished in one continuous pass?
- What will you do if it rains on fresh render?
- Who will I deal with day to day on site?
The answers tell you as much as the price. A contractor who explains clearly before the job usually communicates well during it.
Questions people ask
Why do rendering quotes vary so much?
Differences in preparation, system, extras and labour.
Should I choose the cheapest quote?
Only if it prices the same specification and the contractor checks out.
What is a provisional sum?
An estimated allowance for work that cannot be priced until it is uncovered, such as brick repairs behind old render. Ask how it will be measured.