When hiring a tradesperson, you'll generally come across two ways of pricing work: a fixed price for a clearly defined, standard job, or a custom quote tailored to your specific property and requirements. Knowing which suits your job avoids both overpaying and unpleasant surprises.
What Is a Fixed Price Job?
A fixed price is a set cost for a well-defined, common job — think "supply and fit a new toilet," "replace a tap," or "re-grout a bathroom." Because the scope is standard and predictable, the tradesperson can price it upfront without needing to see your property first.
Best suited to:
- Straightforward, common jobs with little variation
- Situations where you want price certainty before booking
- Smaller jobs where an in-person survey wouldn't be worth the tradesperson's time
Watch out for: fixed prices sometimes assume "standard" access and conditions — if your situation is unusual (e.g. difficult access, an older property with non-standard fittings), confirm the fixed price still applies before booking, or you may be charged extra once the tradesperson arrives.
What Is a Custom Quote?
A custom quote is tailored to your specific job after the tradesperson has assessed it — either in person, via photos/video, or through a detailed conversation about the work involved. This is standard for anything with variables that affect cost significantly: room size, existing condition, access, and materials chosen.
Best suited to:
- Renovations, extensions, and larger projects
- Jobs where existing condition matters (e.g. re-plastering a damp wall vs a sound one)
- Anything involving multiple trades or an element of the unknown (older properties especially)
Key Differences at a Glance
| Fixed Price | Custom Quote | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | Standard, well-defined jobs | Larger or variable-scope jobs |
| Price certainty | High — set before booking | Requires assessment first |
| Risk of extra charges | Lower, but check assumptions | Depends on quote detail and clarity |
| Speed to book | Fast — no survey needed | Slower — needs assessment |
Red Flags With Either Approach
Fixed price red flags:
- No clarity on what happens if the job turns out to be more complex than the standard scope
- Price seems too good to be true compared to other fixed-price options for the same job
Custom quote red flags:
- A vague, one-line quote with no breakdown ("bathroom renovation — £5,000") rather than itemised costs
- No mention of what happens if unexpected issues are found once work starts
- Reluctance to put the quote in writing
Which Should You Choose?
If your job is simple, common, and unlikely to have hidden complications — a leaking tap, a toilet swap, a small repair — a fixed price gives you certainty and speed. If your job involves any renovation, structural work, or existing condition that could vary (damp, old wiring, uneven floors), a proper custom quote based on an actual assessment protects you from underpricing that leads to disputes or extra charges later.
Compare Both, Side by Side
On Compare My Builder, you can browse fixed price listings for common jobs, or post a custom job description and receive tailored quotes from verified local tradespeople — whichever suits what you need.