How to read a tradie's quote like a pro

Inclusions, exclusions, PC sums, variations — what every line on a quote means and the red flags to catch before you sign.

A quote document being reviewed and signed with a pen

A quote is more than a price — it's the closest thing you'll have to a contract on most home jobs. Ten minutes reading it properly saves the arguments that start with "but I assumed that was included".

Here's what to look for, section by section, and the phrases that should slow you down.

The basics every quote should have

A professional quote identifies the business (name, ABN, licence number where the trade requires one), describes the work, states the price and whether it includes GST, and says how long the offer stands. If any of those are missing, ask — a legitimate tradie will fix it without fuss.

Business name and ABN
Licence number for licensed trades
A description of the work specific to your job
Price with GST treatment stated
Validity period and payment terms

Inclusions and exclusions

The description of works tells you what you're paying for; the exclusions tell you what you're not. Common exclusions worth noticing: rubbish removal, scaffolding or access equipment, painting after plaster repairs, and fixing anything unexpected found once work starts (rot, old wiring, non-compliant plumbing).

Exclusions aren't a scam — they're the tradie being honest about unknowns. The problem is only when you don't read them.

Watch for PC sums and allowances

On bigger jobs you'll see "PC sum" or "provisional allowance" — a placeholder amount for something not yet chosen, like tapware or tiles. If the allowance is unrealistically low, the quote looks cheap now and grows later when you pick real products. Check allowances against what you actually intend to buy.

Variations: how the price can legitimately change

A variation is a documented change to the scope after the quote is accepted — you asked for something extra, or the wall turned out to be full of surprises. Variations are normal; undocumented ones are not. The rule to agree up front: no variation gets built until you've seen a price for it in writing.

Phrases that should slow you down

None of these are automatic deal-breakers, but each one deserves a question:

"Supply of materials by owner" — you're now the project's purchasing department
"Subject to site inspection" on a quote given after a site inspection
"Cash price" with a meaningful discount — often means no paper trail, no recourse
A deposit that's a big slice of the total before anyone's started