Short answer: do not compare totals. Compare the same scope, line by line: quantity, unit, material and brand, what is included, and what is excluded. The cheapest quote is often the one with the most missing items.

Why most quotations can't be compared

When you ask three firms to "quote for my 4-room BTO", each one designs a slightly different home in its head, then prices that. One includes a full-height wardrobe, another a shorter one; one assumes vinyl in the kitchen, another tiles. The totals look comparable, but they are prices for three different renovations.

We learned this the hard way. JIAHOME's founders collected almost 20 quotations for their own home and could not meaningfully compare any of them.

Step 1: fix the scope first

Before you ask for prices, have one set of drawings and a list of works: layout, carpentry with dimensions, electrical points, flooring areas and finishes. Give the same pack to every firm. Now the differences in price are real differences.

Step 2: check the unit and quantity on every line

Renovation items are priced in different ways:

  • Per foot run (carpentry): cabinets and wardrobes are often priced by length. Check the height and depth assumed, and whether internal fittings are included.
  • Per square foot (flooring, tiling, ceilings): check the area measured and whether skirting or wastage is included.
  • Per point (electrical): each power, lighting or data point.
  • Lump sum: hacking, disposal, protection and cleaning are often lump sums. Ask what each one covers.

A line with no quantity, such as "carpentry works: $12,000", is a warning sign. You cannot tell what you are getting, and anything not clearly included can become a variation order later.

Step 3: compare materials, not just items

The same item can differ widely in cost and quality:

  • Carpentry: board type, laminate or veneer, hinges and drawer runners (brand and soft-close).
  • Countertops: quartz, sintered stone or solid surface, and the thickness.
  • Flooring: vinyl thickness and wear layer, tile size and grade.
  • Paint: brand, number of coats and whether ceilings are included.

Ask for brands and model numbers in writing.

Step 4: look for what is missing

Common gaps in cheaper quotes:

  • Floor and lift protection, debris disposal and final cleaning
  • Permit applications and any required professional endorsements
  • Electrical points beyond the basics
  • Sealant, edging, handles and internal accessories for cabinets
  • Plumbing connections for sinks, dishwashers and washing machines
  • Removal of existing items (especially in resale flats)

If one quote has a line the others do not, ask the others whether it is included.

Step 5: read the terms

The price is only half the quotation. Compare:

  • Payment schedule: how much upfront and what triggers each payment.
  • Timeline: start date, duration and what happens if it slips.
  • Variation orders: how changes are priced and approved.
  • Warranty: what is covered, for how long, and by whom.

Step 6: check who you are hiring

For HDB flats, the contractor must be listed in HDB's Directory of Renovation Contractors. Ask to see completed projects, and be wary of very low prices paired with large deposits.

Make comparison easy

JIAHOME gives you the drawings plus a quotation with every item, quantity and material listed, but no prices. You send the same document to every contractor, and they fill in the blanks. Comparing quotes becomes a five-minute job. See our services, or read what drives the cost of a resale renovation.

Last updated 14 October 2026