1. Align the documents first
Ask each builder to price the same current drawings, specifications, finishes, engineering assumptions and approval pathway. Record the drawing revision and the date supplied. If one quote uses a concept plan and another uses coordinated documentation, the totals are not directly comparable.
2. Confirm the contracting party
Check the exact legal name and licence details shown in the proposed contract. NSW Government guidance recommends checking the contractor's licence and understanding the contract before work begins. The licence should cover the type of work being performed. See the NSW Government contracts guidance.
3. Build an inclusions and exclusions table
Separate the price into site works, structure, services, windows, joinery, finishes, appliances, external works, approvals and professional fees. Mark every item as included, excluded, provisional or subject to confirmation. A short exclusions list can create a larger difference than a small change in the headline price.
4. Identify allowances and unknown site conditions
List provisional sums, prime-cost items, excavation, rock, retaining, access, stormwater, utility connections and waste removal. Ask what evidence supports each allowance and how a change will be documented. A quote is easier to assess when uncertainty is visible rather than hidden in a single total.
5. Compare programme and approvals assumptions
Ask who coordinates consultants, certifiers and approvals, what information is required before the start date, and which events can move the programme. A complying development pathway is not automatic for every site; confirm the relevant planning pathway with the certifier or planning professional. The NSW Planning Portal CDC information is a useful starting point.
6. Read variations and progress payments
Write down how changes are requested, priced, approved and recorded. Check the progress payment schedule and the event that allows each claim. NSW Fair Trading publishes a contract checklist for homeowners and a guide to home building contracts.
7. Ask what evidence you can review
Before making a decision, ask for the proposed contract, scope, plans, specifications, programme assumptions, insurance or compensation information where applicable, and a clear explanation of exclusions. Obtain independent legal, planning, design or building advice where the project warrants it.
Quick comparison table
| Question | Evidence to request |
|---|---|
| Who is contracting? | Exact legal name, licence details and contract party |
| What is included? | Plans, specifications, inclusions and exclusions schedule |
| What is uncertain? | Allowances, provisional sums and site-condition assumptions |
| How do changes work? | Written variation process and pricing method |
| How are payments made? | Stage descriptions, amounts and supporting documents |
Common questions
Should the lowest quote always be chosen?
No. First establish whether the quotes cover the same work and risk. A lower number may reflect exclusions, different allowances or a different quality level.
Is this a substitute for reviewing a contract?
No. Use the checklist to identify questions, then have the contract and project-specific documents reviewed by the appropriate professional.
Sources reviewed for this guide: NSW Government contracts guidance, NSW Fair Trading contract checklist and home building contract guide, and the NSW Planning Portal CDC information. Last reviewed 19 August 2026.
AUD Build is a business brand within the AUD Group. The contracting entity, current licence scope and project-specific terms should be verified before engagement.