You’ve received quotations from three construction companies.
One contractor wants KSh 8 million. Another wants KSh 9 million. The third wants KSh 10 million.
Naturally, the KSh 8 million quotation looks attractive.
But what if that contractor hasn’t included kitchen cabinetry, wardrobes, external drainage or certain electrical fittings?
By the time you pay for the missing work, the cheapest quotation might become the most expensive.
Comparing construction quotations means comparing what you’re getting, not simply what you’re paying.
Here’s how to do it.
1. Start with at least three comparable quotations
For many residential projects, requesting quotations from three qualified contractors is a practical starting point.
Larger or more complicated projects may benefit from four or five.
However, every contractor should receive substantially the same project information.
Ideally, this includes:
- Architectural drawings
- Structural drawings
- Building specifications
- Proposed finish level
- Project location
- Bill of Quantities (BOQ), where available
This gives contractors a common basis for pricing.
Our guide to how many contractor quotations you should obtain explains the process in greater detail.
2. Compare the scope before comparing prices
Your first task is determining whether the contractors have quoted for the same work.
Review each quotation and identify what’s included.
Pay particular attention to:
- Foundation and structural work
- Roofing
- Doors and windows
- Plumbing
- Electrical installation
- Flooring and wall finishes
- Kitchen cabinetry
- Wardrobes
- External drainage
If one contractor has excluded significant items, their quotation cannot be compared directly with a more comprehensive proposal.
For a detailed breakdown, use our building contractor quotation checklist.
3. Create a quotation comparison table
A simple comparison table makes differences much easier to identify.
Consider this hypothetical example for a residential project.
| Item | Contractor A | Contractor B | Contractor C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quoted amount | KSh 8M | KSh 9M | KSh 10M |
| Kitchen cabinetry | Excluded | Included | Included |
| Wardrobes | Excluded | Included | Included |
| External drainage | Excluded | Excluded | Included |
| Electrical fittings | Basic allowance | Specified | Specified |
| Construction period | 8 months | 9 months | 9 months |
At first glance, Contractor A appears considerably cheaper.
However, the scope is different.
Before making a decision, ask each contractor to clarify the missing items and provide prices where possible.
The objective is to compare quotations on an equivalent basis.
4. Calculate the adjusted cost
Let’s extend our hypothetical example.
After requesting clarification, you establish the following estimated additional costs.
| Item | Contractor A | Contractor B | Contractor C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Original quotation | KSh 8M | KSh 9M | KSh 10M |
| Kitchen cabinetry | KSh 500K | Included | Included |
| Wardrobes | KSh 350K | Included | Included |
| External drainage | KSh 300K | KSh 300K | Included |
| Electrical upgrades | KSh 200K | Included | Included |
| Adjusted total | KSh 9.35M | KSh 9.3M | KSh 10M |
These figures are fictional and demonstrate the comparison method, not actual market prices.
Suddenly, Contractor A is no longer the cheapest option.
Contractor B has the lowest adjusted price in this example, although you would still need to evaluate materials, workmanship, experience and contractual terms.
The adjusted total is often more informative than the original quotation.
Remember that an adjusted comparison is still an estimate. Confirm changes and inclusions in writing before signing a contract.
5. Check the materials and specifications
Even when contractors quote for the same work, they may propose different materials.
For example, two roofing quotations may specify different sheet thicknesses, coatings or manufacturers.
Similarly, finishing specifications could vary considerably between contractors.
Compare the proposed:
- Roofing materials
- Window systems
- Doors
- Floor tiles
- Sanitaryware
- Kitchen countertops
- Electrical accessories
If specifications differ, ask contractors to revise their quotations using the same requirements.
Otherwise, you may be comparing different houses rather than different construction prices.
See our guides to roofing costs and house finishing costs for more information.
6. Identify provisional sums
A provisional sum is an allowance for work that hasn’t been fully defined when the quotation is prepared.
For example, a contractor might include a KSh 200,000 provisional allowance for kitchen cabinetry.
If the kitchen you eventually choose costs substantially more, your final bill may increase.
Examine provisional allowances for items such as:
- Kitchens
- Wardrobes
- Sanitaryware
- Lighting
- Landscaping
- Unresolved groundworks
Request clarification wherever an allowance appears unrealistic.
A quotation containing numerous low allowances may appear competitive without accurately representing your eventual expenditure.
7. Check contractor registration and experience
Price is only one part of the decision.
Before proceeding, verify that the contractor is appropriately registered and licensed.
Kenya’s National Construction Authority explains contractor-registration requirements and the categories applicable to different project values.
You should also investigate:
- Experience with similar projects
- Previously completed houses
- Customer references
- Current workload
- Proposed site supervision
Where possible, visit a completed project and speak to a previous client.
Read How to Choose a Construction Company in Kenya for a more comprehensive assessment.
8. Compare the proposed timelines
Two contractors offering similar prices may propose very different construction schedules.
For example:
- Contractor A: 6 months
- Contractor B: 9 months
- Contractor C: 12 months
However, a shorter programme isn’t automatically preferable.
Ask each contractor to explain how they intend to deliver the project within the proposed period.
Consider whether their timeline accounts for material procurement, subcontractors, inspections and finishing work.
Our guide to how long it takes to build a house in Kenya provides additional context.
9. Examine payment terms
The payment structure can significantly affect your financial exposure.
One contractor might request a substantial upfront deposit.
Another might propose payments linked to agreed construction milestones.
Compare:
- Initial deposits
- Payment milestones
- Progress verification
- Variation payments
- Retention arrangements, where applicable
For substantial projects, professional advice can help you establish appropriate payment arrangements.
10. Investigate unusually low quotations
An unusually cheap quotation isn’t necessarily dishonest or incorrect.
A contractor may have lower overheads, efficient construction methods or favourable supplier arrangements.
However, substantial price differences deserve investigation.
Possible explanations include:
- Missing work
- Different materials
- Underestimated quantities
- Unrealistic labour allowances
- Incomplete specifications
- Pricing mistakes
Ask for clarification before awarding the contract.
A contractor who cannot adequately explain their pricing may expose you to additional financial uncertainty.
11. Consider getting professional assistance
For substantial residential projects, a quantity surveyor can help evaluate contractor quotations.
A QS can examine:
- Measured quantities
- Unit rates
- Missing work
- Provisional sums
- Pricing inconsistencies
- Variations in scope
This can be particularly useful when comparing quotations involving millions of shillings.
See Do You Need a Quantity Surveyor to Build a House in Kenya?
Construction quotation comparison checklist
Before selecting your contractor, work through these questions:
- Have all contractors received the same drawings and specifications?
- Do the quotations cover substantially the same scope?
- Are exclusions clearly identified?
- Are material specifications comparable?
- Have provisional sums been reviewed?
- Have missing items been priced?
- Have I calculated comparable adjusted totals?
- Have I verified contractor registration?
- Have I checked previous projects and references?
- Are the construction timelines realistic?
- Have I reviewed the proposed payment terms?
- Have significant clarifications been documented in writing?
If you cannot confidently answer these questions, seek clarification before committing.
How MyJenga fits into the process
Comparing construction quotations becomes easier when contractors start with the same project information.
MyJenga is being developed to help homeowners describe their construction projects, connect with relevant providers and ultimately compare the quotations they receive.
The first step is understanding your potential construction budget.
Use the MyJenga calculator to create an indicative estimate based on your proposed project’s characteristics.
Calculate your construction cost with MyJenga →
Frequently asked questions
How many construction quotations should I compare?
Three comparable quotations are a practical starting point for many residential projects. Larger or more complicated projects may benefit from additional bids.
Should I choose the cheapest construction quotation?
Not automatically. Compare the scope, materials, contractor experience, payment terms and likely additional costs before deciding.
What if contractors quote different materials?
Ask them to revise their proposals using the same specifications, or account for the material differences when comparing prices.
Can a quantity surveyor compare contractor quotations?
Yes. Tender evaluation and construction cost advice are among the services a quantity surveyor can provide.
Why are construction quotations sometimes so different?
Differences may arise from materials, scope, labour, overheads, construction methods, provisional allowances and pricing assumptions.
Final takeaway
The biggest mistake when comparing construction quotations is assuming that the lowest quoted price represents the lowest total cost.
Before choosing a contractor, compare the actual work being offered.
Identify exclusions, review specifications, investigate allowances and calculate comparable adjusted totals.
Then consider the contractor’s experience, registration, timeline and payment terms.
The objective is to select a contractor with a credible proposal for delivering the home you’ve planned.
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