Why the cheapest quote often isn't
Quotes are rarely like-for-like. One includes hosting, another leaves it out. One promises three rounds of changes, another says nothing. The lowest number can simply be the quote that covers the least — and the gaps turn into extra invoices later.
The fix is to stop comparing quotes with each other and start comparing each one with a single list of what you actually need.
How to compare quotes, step by step
- Write your requirements first: what must be delivered, by when, to what standard, and what you need to own at the end.
- Make a simple table: your requirements down the side, one column per quote.
- For each requirement, mark each quote as included (note the page), excluded, or not mentioned. “Not mentioned” is a question, not a yes.
- Compare the money at risk: how much is due before delivery, and what triggers each payment.
- Check how the work is accepted: what “finished” means, how many revisions are included, and what happens if it isn't right.
- Check ownership and exit: who owns the files, code, designs or materials, and what it costs to leave.
- Send each supplier your unanswered questions in writing, and compare the answers before you pay anything.
Red flags in a quote
A large deposit with no milestones. No definition of when the work is complete. Ownership of the work left unstated. Prices marked “estimate” with no cap. A deadline to accept that's shorter than the time you need to check. None of these mean the supplier is dishonest — they mean you should ask before you commit.
Frequently asked questions
How many quotes should I get?
Two or three is usually enough to see what's normal. More than that tends to add confusion rather than clarity, unless the job is very large.
Should I just choose the cheapest quote?
Only once you've checked that it covers everything on your requirements list. The cheapest quote is often the one that leaves the most out.
What should I do if a quote doesn't mention something important?
Treat it as not included until the supplier confirms it in writing. Ask the question before you pay a deposit, and keep the answer with the quote.
Can someone compare the quotes for me?
Yes. The Smart Thinker's Proposal Check compares up to three quotes against your requirements and points every finding to the page it came from — or says plainly that it isn't there. It isn't legal advice; for contracts with significant legal or financial risk, speak with a qualified adviser.