Compare quotes against the same written brief. Check preparation, labour, materials, protection, removal, waste and excluded work. A headline total or square-metre rate is not enough when the quotes cover different surfaces, conditions or responsibilities.
Put the same brief in front of each tradesperson
Describe the surfaces, dimensions, current condition and intended finish. For painting, list ceilings and woodwork separately. For tiling, separate wall and floor areas and provide the actual tile size and layout.
Supply the same information about access, occupied rooms, materials and timing. If one person has assessed the background and another has only seen a photograph, their figures may reflect different levels of certainty.
Look for the work that is easy to leave out
Preparation is often less visible than the final colour or tile. Ask whether removal, repairs, background work, waterproofing where relevant, trims and disposal are included. Clarify what is an allowance and what has been fixed.
Check materials item by item. Who supplies the paint or tiles? Are adhesive, grout and edge products included? If a finish requires several products, a description such as materials included may still leave the specification unclear.
Separate tiling from a complete bathroom installation
A bathroom project can combine tiling, plumbing, electrical work, fittings and decoration. Ask who is responsible for each element. Do not compare a tiling-only figure with a full-room refurbishment total.
The linked Reddit discussion shows homeowners asking about wall area, preparation, layout and separate plumbing. Use that as a prompt for your questions, not as a current rate card: the figures relate to particular jobs at particular times.
Agree the process for changes
Ask what happens if removal reveals a problem or the chosen layout changes. A clear written change process can prevent an uncertain allowance being mistaken for a fixed price. Confirm the payment schedule, start arrangements and what the handover includes.
Keep the final accepted scope and product information together. If you are asking us for a quote in Walthamstow or East London, send your brief through the enquiry form and identify which decisions are still open.
A practical comparison
| Check | Painting example | Tiling example |
|---|---|---|
| Surfaces | Walls, ceiling and woodwork | Wall area, floor area and tile height |
| Preparation | Wallpaper, repairs and existing coating | Removal, background and wet-area specification |
| Materials | Exact paint and finish | Tiles, adhesive, grout and trims |
| Access | Furniture and occupied rooms | Fittings, thresholds and other trades |
| Completion | Agreed finish and product record | Agreed layout and permitted use time |
Questions homeowners ask
Is the cheapest quote always the best value?
Compare scope and certainty before price. A lower figure may omit work or materials, but a higher figure also needs a clear explanation. Ask what is included rather than assuming quality from the total alone.
Why are bathroom tiling quotes so different?
Room details, wall area, background condition, cuts, materials and other trades vary. Two quotes can also include different tasks. Compare them against the same brief.
Do you publish a standard East London price list?
This site does not publish unverified project rates. Ask for a quote based on the actual work, condition, products and access, with inclusions and exclusions explained.