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Process · Detail

Requesting dormer quotes you can actually compare

A good quotation round is not about ringing five companies. It is about giving three the same brief, hosting a proper site visit, and asking the same questions every time.
6 min leestijd·Onafhankelijke informatie

Short answer

Write a one-page brief describing the dormer in measurements and materials. Pick three companies that take dormers seriously. Invite each one for a 30-minute site visit. Ask the same questions. Wait for itemised quotes against the brief — never a single round number on email.

The one-page brief

  • Width, height and roof pitch.
  • Glazing type (HR++ or triple) and U-value target.
  • Insulation R-value target.
  • Frame material (PVC, alu-clad timber, hardwood).
  • Cladding material and colour (Keralit, Trespa, Rockpanel, PVC).
  • Permit handling — who is doing it.
  • Interior finish level.
  • Lead time window and any school-holiday constraints.

Building the shortlist

Pick three companies that fit the same profile — for example, three dormer specialists, or three regional all-rounders — so the comparison is between like and like. Mixing a one-man builder with a national brand makes the numbers look different for the wrong reasons.

The site visit

A serious company will want to come on site, measure the roof, look at access for a crane, photograph the loft, and confirm the structural starting point. A quote without a site visit is a guess at best.

Questions to ask before they leave

  • Will your own team install, or a subcontractor?
  • What lead time are you currently quoting?
  • Are you part of a trade body or insurance-backed warranty?
  • Can I have two recent customer addresses I can drive past?
  • What is included in handover and aftercare?

Request checklist

Checklist

Run through before sending quotes out

  1. 01One-page brief written and ready to send.
  2. 02Three companies on the shortlist with similar profile.
  3. 03Site visit booked for each.
  4. 04Same set of questions ready for every visit.
  5. 05Quote deadline agreed (10–14 days is reasonable).
  6. 06Format requested: itemised, against the brief.

FAQ

FAQ

Veelgestelde vragen

01How many quotes should I request?
Three. Fewer and you cannot see the spread; more and the comparison becomes harder, not easier.
02Do I need to know exactly what I want first?
Not exactly, but you need a one-page brief. Three companies quoting against the same brief is the only way to get genuinely comparable numbers.
03Is it rude to ask companies to come out and measure?
No — it is standard practice for a serious quote. A company that quotes without a site visit is doing you a disfavour.
Conclusie
The work you do before the first quote arrives is the work that decides the project. Same brief, same site visit, same questions — and the answers explain themselves.