Cost · Detail
When a cheap dormer is actually a different dormer
A surprisingly low quote is rarely a gift. Usually it is a different product, with a different insulation pack, lighter materials and several items quietly left out — but priced as if it were the same job.
6 min leestijd·Onafhankelijke informatie
Short answer
A dormer 30%+ below the other quotes is almost always a different scope. Cheaper frames, thinner insulation, lighter lead, no permit handling, no crane in the price. Not necessarily dishonest, but never directly comparable. Treat a very low quote as a question, not as a saving.
Why some quotes come in far below
- A bargain pack. The company sells a single low-spec product and quotes you that, regardless of your brief.
- Excluded scope. Permit, crane, transport, interior finish or even lead work are out of the price.
- A subcontracted crew. Cheaper labour, less control over quality, weaker aftercare.
- Volume model. The company books many small jobs back-to-back and skips the careful detailing that takes time.
- Loss-leader pricing. A first job at cost to win the postcode; extras invoiced as the project goes on.
Where the savings usually come from
| Line | Mid-range spec | Bargain spec |
|---|---|---|
| Insulation R-value | 4.5–5.0 | 3.5 ('code minimum') |
| Glazing | HR++ with warm-edge spacer | Basic HR++ |
| Frames | Reinforced PVC or alu-clad | Light PVC |
| Cladding | Composite/HPL panel | Standard PVC |
| Lead apron | Code 5, dressed | Code 4 or flashing tape |
| Permit handling | Included end-to-end | DIY |
| Crane and transport | Included | On application |
| Warranty | 10 years + trade body | Statutory only |
How to test a suspiciously low quote
FAQ
FAQ
Veelgestelde vragen
3 vragen · klik om te openen
01Is a very cheap dormer always bad?
Not always, but a price 30%+ below the others almost always means a different scope — thinner insulation, cheaper frames, lighter lead or excluded items. The dormer is not necessarily bad, but it is not the dormer the other quotes describe.
02What is the realistic floor price?
For a basic, code-compliant new dormer in the Netherlands, expect at least €7,500–€9,000 once everything is included. Below that, something is usually missing on paper.
03How do I tell a real bargain from a corner-cut bargain?
Compare line by line, not on total. A real bargain has full scope at a tight margin; a corner-cut bargain has a reduced scope hidden inside the same total.
Conclusie
A cheap dormer is not impossible. But it is almost always either a smaller dormer than you think, or a job with the awkward bits invoiced later. The two questions worth asking are: "What scope is this actually for?" and "What happens if something goes wrong in year three?"