Estimates vs. Quotes: What's the difference?

Some people interchange these words, but they are definitely not the same. It’s important to know the difference. In simple terms, an estimate is an approximate price that can (and often does) change. Have you ever gotten a vehicle repaired after an accident? Was the final amount higher than the estimate? Maybe there was hidden damage. Maybe the cost of the parts went up. Maybe the labor took longer than originally anticipated. It’s frustrating when this happens! Yet companies need to do this to protect themselves against unforeseen costs.

A quote, however, is a fixed price. If you are given a quote and you agree to it, that’s what you’ll be charged. If the repair shop gives a quote of $400 to replace your tire, there shouldn’t be any surprises when you get the bill. The quote is there to protect the consumer against costs that should have been predetermined by the auto shop.

Both scenarios are necessary in the remodeling business. At Vatter Construction, we give estimates to show you the approximate cost of your project. We spend a good bit of time gathering pricing and drawing preliminary layouts. We take into account your desired budget and the materials requested (granite! porcelain tile! custom shelving!). Your estimate includes allowances (shopping spree money) for the items you’ll need to choose for your design. And don’t worry - our designers will help you choose those items wisely.

Once you select your design elements, we’ll get quotes from our vendors so you can see how they affect your budget. This way you can look at several pricing options before you make your final decisions on things like tile, flooring, and millwork. And if you decide that you do want to splurge a little, we can help with that, too!

We hope this was helpful to you. Is there anything you’d like to ask us? Any topics you’d like us to cover?