What is a provisional sum in a construction quote?

A provisional sum is an allowance included in the quotation for work or materials that cannot be precisely costed at the time of quoting. For example, a provisional sum for kitchen fittings allows the client to choose their own fittings later. The actual cost is adjusted against the provisional sum when the items are selected.

What should be excluded from a construction quote?

Common exclusions include: planning and building control fees, structural engineer's fees, party wall surveyor costs, utility connections, landscaping, and items the client will source themselves. Listing exclusions clearly prevents misunderstandings about what the quoted price covers.

Do construction quotes need to include insurance details?

It is good practice to confirm that the contractor holds public liability insurance (typically £2–5 million) and, if they employ staff, employer's liability insurance (legally required minimum £5 million under the Employers' Liability Act 1969). Clients should request copies of insurance certificates.

What is the difference between a construction quote and a tender?

A quotation is typically provided for smaller projects based on a description of works. A tender is a formal submission in response to detailed tender documents (drawings, specifications, bills of quantities), usually for larger projects. Both are legally binding offers once accepted.

Should I use JCT contracts for my building project?

JCT contracts are the industry standard in the UK. The JCT Minor Works contract suits projects up to about £250,000, while the JCT Homeowner contract is designed specifically for domestic projects. For very small projects, a detailed quotation with clear terms may be sufficient.

Construction Quotation Template

Create a detailed construction quotation with our free UK template.

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contractor

Contractor / Company Name*

Contractor Address*

Phone*

client

Client Name / Company*

Client Address*

project

Site Address*

Quote Reference*

Date*

works

Scope of Works*

Materials Specification

pricing

Materials Cost (£)*

Labour Cost (£)*

Provisional Sums

Allowances for items not yet fully specified

Total Quoted Price (£)*

Terms

Exclusions*

Payment Terms*

Document Preview

CONSTRUCTION QUOTATION [contractorName] [contractorAddress] Tel: [contractorPhone] To: [clientName] [clientAddress] Quote Reference: [quoteRef] Date: [quoteDate] Site: [siteAddress] ================================================== SCOPE OF WORKS ================================================== [scopeOfWorks] ================================================== PRICE BREAKDOWN ================================================== Materials: £[materialsCost] Labour: £[labourCost] -------------------------------------------------- TOTAL QUOTED PRICE: £[totalCost] -------------------------------------------------- This quotation is valid for 30 days from the date above. -------------------------------------------------- EXCLUSIONS -------------------------------------------------- The following are NOT included in this quotation: [exclusions] -------------------------------------------------- PAYMENT TERMS -------------------------------------------------- [paymentTerms] -------------------------------------------------- GENERAL CONDITIONS -------------------------------------------------- 1. This is a fixed-price quotation. Once accepted, the price cannot be increased unless the scope of works changes. 2. Provisional sums will be adjusted against actual costs. 3. Variations must be agreed in writing before work proceeds. 4. All works will comply with the Building Regulations 2010. 5. The contractor will maintain public liability insurance (minimum £2m) and employer's liability insurance as required. 6. The Consumer Rights Act 2015 applies to consumer contracts. To accept this quotation, please sign and return a copy. Accepted by: ________________________ Date: ________________________

Important Notes

Legal Disclaimer

Construction quotations should comply with the Consumer Rights Act 2015 for consumer projects. The JCT (Joint Contracts Tribunal) suite of contracts is the UK industry standard — for smaller projects, the JCT Minor Works or JCT Homeowner contract may be appropriate. Building work must comply with the Building Regulations 2010, and building control approval is required for most structural work. The Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015 (CDM) apply to all construction projects and place duties on clients, designers and contractors regarding health and safety. For projects involving a domestic client, CDM duties that would otherwise fall on the client transfer to the contractor or principal designer.

This template is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. For complex legal matters, we recommend consulting a qualified solicitor.

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