Why do three quotes on identical scope still vary?
Three quotes on identical scope vary because fitters buy cabinetry through different supplier discount tiers, carry different overheads and price waste, templating and snagging differently — a 25–35% spread is normal and expected.
Cheaper is not automatically worse and pricier is not automatically better. What matters is whether the total actually covers the same work. A £14,000 quote that includes everything usually beats a £11,000 quote that is missing three line items which will return as extras.
How do I build a fair comparison sheet?
You build a fair comparison sheet by listing every line item that appears on any of the three quotes, then filling in the price from each fitter — blank cells are where the invisible work lives.
A simple spreadsheet with rows for each line item and three columns for the fitters makes the picture obvious in about 20 minutes. Blank cells force the follow-up question — is the line item included in another category, is it excluded entirely, or is it a chargeable extra?
What conversations do the missing items prompt?
Missing items prompt the direct question 'is X included, excluded or extra?' which either gets you a written add-on to the quote or exposes a fitter unwilling to commit — both outcomes are useful.
Legitimate fitters welcome the question and will amend the quote in writing. Fitters who get defensive or vague at this stage are the fitters who will be defensive and vague about mid-install extras. The conversation itself is a vetting signal.
How does Glasgow Kitchen Fitters simplify the comparison?
Glasgow Kitchen Fitters simplifies the comparison by surveying your kitchen and issuing one written, itemised fixed-price quote covering design, supply and installation by our own insured Glasgow team.
Our quote lists every line item up front, so there is no reference-checking, insurance-verification or Companies House searching left for you to do. You can still gather a second and third quote if you want to benchmark, and we support that — ours is built to be compared like-for-like.
Full line-item list to check in every Glasgow kitchen quote
| Category | Line items to check are present |
|---|---|
| Design | Home survey, 3D drawings, revisions, signed plan |
| Cabinetry | Brand, range, colour, unit count, plinths, cornice, end panels |
| Worktops | Material, thickness, templating, edging, upstands, splashback |
| Sink and tap | Model, undermount or top-mount, waste kit |
| Appliances | Hob, oven, hood, dishwasher, fridge — models specified |
| Plumbing | First fix, second fix, waste, mains isolation |
| Electrical | First fix, second fix, consumer unit, SELECT/NICEIC certification |
| Gas | Hob or oven connection by Gas Safe engineer |
| Plastering & paint | Patch, skim, painted finish |
| Flooring interface | Skirt cut, plinth fit, seal |
| Waste & disposal | Skip, permit, disposal fees |
| Access & permits | Parking suspension, factor sign-off |
| Warranty & aftercare | 12-month workmanship warranty, snag revisit |