How detailed was your builder's quote?

[CountingToThree]

After six months and many visits by builders we have a grand total of 2 quotes returned.

One (from a local building company with a good reputation) is very detailed and runs to several pages - listing details of brick types, insulation materials and longer-term guarantees of work after completion etc. This is at the very top end of our budget

The second from a smaller builders (recommended by a friend who used to have a building company) is two sides of A4 with little detail but does cover the work needed eg plastered finish ready for decorating but no detail on materials beign used. This is a much more reasonable quote but seems very lacking in details.

I have gone back to the second builder with some questions to try and clarify some of these points eg insulation and guarantees but I don't really know what level of detail to expect at this stage.

This is for a garage and first floor extension so not a massive job, but equally not a small one.

How much detail should I expect before actually appointing a builder and getting into contracts etc?

No idea but I'm interested too as we're just starting the process. Have you had drawings done? How detailed were they?

We had exactly the same thing. Not an extension but a complete renovation of one, only the floor didn't change (the covering did). So all three walls and the roof, along with everything in it. The two quotes were very different and included different things.

So Company A (professional one) was more expensive but included the bifold doors. Remove those and it wasn't a lot in it Their quote was very detailed and very clear what was included and what wasn't. They were really lovely people.
Company B were two people, a carpenter and his builder neighbour. Their quote was a bit vague but they were also lovely and they had been recommended by two people (one person for his personal work, and then he used them again for his company).
So who did we go for!
B. Although they didn't have glossy paperwork, I felt the recommendations counted and we got on with them. They would be in my home, tearing it apart so I needed to feel comfortable. And inevitably things would go wrong or change and I wanted someone I could work with.
5.5 weeks in with half a week to go and then a further week in late October for finishing/snagging, how do I feel?
Don't regret it for a moment. They are awesome and it looks stunning already and is a manifestation of my imaginings (it is a kitchen but they are not supplying the kitchen).

Nothing against the other company and I would recommend them but my choice was right. I just get on with the guys working with me. And they are liaising with building control and getting all the certificates. And they are very detailed. Very very happy.

Our quote ran to many pages and was very detailed. Our job was done on a fixed price, but the ground works were on a flexible budget as builders never know what they are going to find once they start digging. Happily nothing unusual was found doing the foundations, so it was brought in slightly under budget (I was keen to save money, so I kept the spec simple). Also I paid for it in arrears in agreed sums, be wary of anyone who needs money up front. Every costing should be on the quote, you really need to know the financial damage before you start.