Quote templates for renovation and remodeling
Professional quotes for kitchen, bathroom, and whole-house renovation projects in Ireland.
What to include in a renovation quote
Renovations are high-value, complex jobs, and a well-presented quote is what separates a trusted contractor from someone doing a start on the side. Clients who receive an organised, itemised proposal are calmer through the job and far less likely to try to renegotiate halfway through.
Break the quote down by phase or trade: demolition and skip hire, structural and masonry work, first-fix electrical and plumbing if applicable, second-fix and finishes (tiling, flooring), painting, and joinery and fitted furniture. Give each phase its own subtotal.
Reference materials by brand and model where you can. It reads far more professional than a vague description, and it lets the client check what they're getting against what they've seen in a showroom.
Give an estimated timeline per phase. A kitchen renovation might run 3 weeks. If the client is living in the house, knowing when the kitchen comes back online matters to them. Build in a 2 to 3 day buffer and say so.
Wherever there's a risk of extra work turning up (damp, old wiring, structural surprises once walls are opened), flag it with a clear note. It avoids a row when reality demands more than the quote covered.
Example quote for bathroom renovation
Typical job: full renovation of a 5.5 m² family bathroom.
- Demolition and strip-out of tiles and floor, 5.5 m² at €22/m²
- Removal of existing sanitary ware, 1 service at €95
- Skip hire and waste disposal, 1 service at €280
- Tanking/waterproofing of walls and floor, 20 m² at €15/m²
- Wall tile 30x60 (up to shower height), 20 m² at €38/m² (material + fitting)
- Non-slip floor tile 30x30, 5.5 m² at €42/m² (material + fitting)
- Wall-hung WC with concealed cistern, 1 unit at €340 (supply + fit)
- Countertop basin with vanity unit, 1 unit at €395 (supply + fit)
- Thermostatic shower valve, 1 unit at €175 (supply + fit)
- 900x900 shower tray with glass enclosure, 1 unit at €520 (supply + fit)
- Ceiling painting, mist coat + 2 finish coats, 5.5 m² at €9/m²
- Tile skirting to match floor, 9 lm at €14/lm
Materials and fitting subtotal: €2,573.50 | Labour (management and finishing): €1,050 | Total excl. VAT: €3,623.50
How to structure staged payments
Renovations above €2,500 should always carry a staged payment proposal. It's not just about cash flow. It protects both sides of the job.
A typical structure for the Irish market:
- 30% deposit on acceptance of the quote, paid by bank transfer, before you order materials or book a skip
- 40% on completion of the demolition, first-fix, and structural phase
- 30% on completion and handover
This means you're never carrying the full cost of materials and labour unpaid, and the client can see payments tied to real progress rather than a lump sum up front. Put your IBAN clearly on the quote so the client can transfer straight from their banking app, since most Irish clients are comfortable paying deposits this way, especially once payment stages are laid out clearly.
For jobs above €8,000, add a simple one-page written agreement alongside the quote: parties, scope, timeline, payment stages, and a clause on how additional work gets approved. It doesn't need to be a solicitor's contract. One clear page protects you.
Tips for winning more renovation jobs
Send progress photos during the job without being asked. "Tiling finished today, sanitary ware going in Thursday" with a photo over WhatsApp is the kind of update that gets you referred to the neighbours. The client feels in control without having to call the site every day.
Build packages for your most common jobs: "bathroom renovation up to 6 m²", "standard kitchen refresh". A base price with a clear extra-works clause speeds up the client's decision and saves you re-quoting from scratch every time.
Document before and after. Good photos of a well-finished renovation are the best marketing you have. Renovation clients ask family and neighbours for recommendations more than almost any other trade, and a gallery of finished jobs on your phone beats any paid ad.
Frequently asked questions
Should VAT be shown separately on a renovation quote?
Yes, always show it as its own line so the client sees the base price and the tax clearly. Renovation labour on an existing home in Ireland usually qualifies for the reduced 13.5% VAT rate rather than the standard 23% rate, provided materials make up less than two-thirds of the total value (the "two-thirds rule"). Confirm the correct rate with your accountant or Revenue.ie before quoting.
How do I handle extra work discovered once the job is opened up?
Stop and communicate immediately. Never carry out extra work without the client's approval. Send a description and a price over WhatsApp, get a written yes (a text reply is enough), and only then proceed. This protects you from a dispute over payment at the end of the job.
How do I estimate how long a renovation will take?
Base it on similar jobs you've completed before. A full bathroom typically runs 10 to 15 working days with one tradesperson on site. A kitchen usually takes 15 to 20 days. Always add 2 to 3 days as a buffer for the unexpected, and note on the quote that the timeline may shift with material delivery delays, which Irish clients generally accept as reasonable.