Reading the small print
What to Check on a Liquid Screed Quotation
A screed quotation should set out scope, access assumptions and exclusions clearly, so read it carefully before signing to avoid surprises on pour day.
Want a clear, detailed quotation?
Contact us with your drawings and site details and we will put together a quotation that clearly sets out scope and assumptions.
Or call our landline on 01392 237700
Quotations for liquid screed work vary widely in how much detail they include. Some set out exactly what is covered, what access is assumed, and what falls outside the price; others are a single line figure with little explanation. Understanding what should be in a well-written quotation helps you compare like with like and avoid unexpected costs or delays later.
Because a pour depends on conditions being right on the day — access for the pump, a finished and checked substrate, appropriate weather — quotations that make assumptions about these things without stating them clearly can lead to disagreements if those assumptions turn out to be wrong.
This page walks through the main areas worth checking before accepting a quotation, so you go into the job with a clear shared understanding of scope.
Scope and exclusions
The most useful quotations state clearly what is included — supply, pumping, labour, protection materials — and what is excluded, such as edge insulation, DPM, or removal of existing flooring. If a quotation does not mention these items, ask directly rather than assuming they are covered.
It is also worth checking whether the quoted price assumes a single continuous pour or whether the area will need to be phased, since phasing can affect both programme and cost.
Access and site assumptions
Because liquid screed is usually pumped from a wagon parked outside the building, quotations should state an assumed hose run length and any assumptions about parking or site access. If your site has restricted access, flag this before the quote is finalised rather than on pour day.
Where access is genuinely uncertain at quotation stage, ask whether a site visit can be arranged to confirm assumptions before the price is finalised, rather than relying on a description alone.
Timing, postponement and payment terms
A clear quotation states how postponement due to weather, access issues or a delayed substrate is handled, including whether a rearranged date carries any additional cost. This avoids disagreement if the pour date needs to move.
Payment terms and stages should also be clearly stated, including any deposit required to secure a date and when the balance is due relative to completion of the pour.
Comparing multiple quotations fairly
When comparing quotations from different contractors, list out what each one includes and excludes side by side, since headline prices alone can be misleading if the underlying scope differs significantly.
Where one quotation is noticeably cheaper, check specifically what has been left out rather than assuming it reflects better value, since a lower figure sometimes simply reflects a narrower scope of work.
Checking a Quotation — the points that decide it
- Check whether the quoted area matches the drawings you have supplied
- Look for stated assumptions about pump access, hose length and parking
- Check what preparation work, if any, is included versus assumed to be done by others
- Look for how underfloor heating commissioning and pressure testing are handled
- Check whether protection materials after the pour are included in the price
- Confirm what happens to the price if the pour date needs to move
- Check whether the quotation states expected screed depth and any additives included
- Confirm whether VAT is included or excluded from the figure shown
- Ask what payment stages apply and when they fall relative to the pour date
Want a clear, detailed quotation?
Contact us with your drawings and site details and we will put together a quotation that clearly sets out scope and assumptions.
Or call our landline on 01392 237700
Checking a Quotation — your questions
In short
A screed quotation should set out scope, access assumptions and exclusions clearly, so read it carefully before signing to avoid surprises on pour day.
Want a clear, detailed quotation?
Contact us with your drawings and site details and we will put together a quotation that clearly sets out scope and assumptions.