What to include in a construction work price request

Why the quality of the request determines the quality of the quote

A service provider prices in risk. The less they know about the job, the bigger a buffer they add to the price, or the vaguer the terms become. A clear request removes the buffer and makes quotes comparable to each other.

What the request must definitely include

• Type of work and a short description in your own words (“tiling a bathroom, wall and floor”).
• Location, at the level of region and town or municipality.
• Property type: apartment, detached house, terraced house, commercial space.
• Approximate scope: square metres, number of rooms, running metres, or piece count.
• Current condition: whether the old covering has been removed, whether access is available, which floor the work is on.
• Desired timing: urgent, by a fixed date, or flexible.
• Who buys the materials and whether the material choice has already been made.

Which photos help the most

Three or four good photos are more useful than twenty similar ones. Take photos in daylight and avoid shots taken too close without context.

• An overview shot of the room or façade so the scale is clear.
• A close-up of the problem area (leak, crack, damage, existing connection).
• A photo of existing equipment or the electrical panel showing the labels.
• A photo with a tape measure if an exact measurement matters.

What you don't need to include in the request

There's no need to propose your own expected price. If you write a number into the request, some quotes will drift toward that number regardless of the actual scope of work.

You also don't need to disclose the exact address or phone number in the first request. On Ehitusabi24 this information stays protected until you decide to open up contact details.

Example: a weak request vs. a strong request

• Weak: “Need a bathroom tiled, please quote.”
• Strong: “In an apartment in Tartu (3rd floor, lift available) need a bathroom tiled: floor approx. 4 m², walls approx. 18 m². The old tile has been removed, base repair likely needed. Tiles already purchased, 60×60. Would like the work done in September, deadline is not critical.”

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to disclose the exact address right away?

No. Before a quote, the region is enough. The exact address and contact details open up once you confirm a site visit or choose a contractor, and every disclosure is logged.

Should I add an approximate budget?

Ehitusabi24 does not ask the client for a budget. Service providers offer a price based on the job description.