Getting a Pre-Exchange Renovation Quote: The Perks and How It Works

Coming across your dream doer-upper can be a pinch-me moment. A tired kitchen transforms into a buzzing family breakfast bar. A bright and airy extension blooms out into the garden. A bathroom in need of some TLC is magicked into a metro-tiled delight. When we look around a property, it’s our vision for our life there that takes us from consideration to putting down the deposit. 

Whether you think you’ve found ‘the one’ and want to be 100% sure your plan is a goer, have got a survey back and are having second thoughts, or want to get work booked in before you get the keys, a pre-exchange quote gives you confidence in your investment and insight into what’s structurally possible. Here we dive into the pros and practicalities.

Why getting a pre-exchange quote is a good idea

Budget more accurately

Whether you’d like to upgrade the bathrooms or you’re after a full internal refurb, a dream can’t become a reality without a breakdown of the potential costs of work. Getting a pre-exchange quote allows you to assess what updates you can make within your budget, plus consider what’s really important to you in your next home. Knowing whether or not your non-negotiables are achievable can be the make-or-break factor in buying a property. 

As well as aesthetics, a contractor can highlight where unexpected costs (like plumbing, insulation or electrics) might crop up that require additional budget. In turn, this can potentially give you negotiating power with the seller – structural issues or things in need of repair could potentially be paid for by them or reduce the cost of the property. 

When you get your quotes, make sure that all the below is covered:

Scope of work

• A clear breakdown of labour costs for each part of the job and details on what each element entails.
• Instructions on who will be buying and taking delivery of the white goods (bath, toilet, shower screen, vanity unit etc).

Timeline

• Start date, expected completion date, and a note of any potential delays that could arise and affect the timeline.

Payment schedule

• An outline of the payment schedule and deposit that is required.

Warranty and guarantees

• A list of warranties or guarantees offered on workmanship, products and materials used, plus the terms and conditions of these.

Communication

• Agreement on the point of contact for the project, how you will communicate and how often updates will be provided.

Site Preparation and cleanup

• Agreement on what you need to do before the project starts (clear out your cupboards, for example), who will clear the site once work is completed and where tools and materials will be stored. 

 Planning and regulations

• Confirmation of how your project will be compliant with local building codes and regulations.

Identify how much value you can add to the property

Buying a home is the biggest investment most of us make. By getting an estimate on renovation costs before money changes hands, you can better understand what your return on the investment might be.   

Kitchen and bathroom remodels, extensions, loft conversions and landscaped gardens are popular updates that tend to boost a home’s value. For older properties, renovation quotes can sometimes include recommendations that may up the price in the long run, like using sustainable materials, green energy systems or energy-efficient appliances. All properties are unique, so it’s best to speak to your estate agent to get their expert opinion on what value your plans could add. 

Plus, depending on the scale of work you’re planning, you might be able to negotiate a more competitive loan or mortgage agreement based on a new estimated resale value. 

Understand logistics and timelines – and any knock-on effects

Meeting with a contractor before you exchange on the property allows you to plan better. If you need planning permission or building permits, these can take time to be approved – with a clear scope of work in mind you can get a head start on the paperwork (or at least get your head around it).

A contractor will also be able to give you their honest opinion on timelines and liveability in advance of getting the keys. Often people start the renovation process once they’ve moved into their new place, but if you’re redoing multiple rooms or have a big project, this can be tricky for everyone involved. From your point of view, it can be stressful to live out of boxes while your home’s a building site. For contractors, working around people can slow down the process, plus they have to be more mindful of tools, dust and debris, rather than just getting on with the work. Understandably, you want to get into your new home as soon as possible, but if you know you need to stay elsewhere for a while you can make plans (and avoid disappointment).

Get clarity on the structural condition of the property

Getting the survey back can be the deciding factor as to whether or not to buy a home. If yours comes back highlighting structural work that needs to be done (like addressing damp, damaged roofing or brickwork issues), alarm bells are going off. Getting a pre-exchange quote at this point can either quell the cost fears or make you realise that the property’s not the right fit – either way, it’s much better to have an answer.

Establish a good relationship with your potential contractor 

The best contractors can get booked up months in advance, so if you’re planning a lengthy job like an extension, a pre-exchange quote is a great way to get on their radar. If you decide you want to move ahead with buying the property and the works, you can figure out when they might be able to get started and nab a spot in their schedule. Plus, you’ll already have a good rapport, and they’ll have a deep understanding of your project, so you can be ready and raring to go as soon as you get the keys!

How to get an accurate pre-exchange quote

Be considerate to the sellers 

Before a property changes hands, access is of course at the discretion of the sellers. Giving permission for potential buyers to get a pre-exchange quote is in their best interest as well, but it’s natural for people to feel protective over their homes. Being polite and transparent about why you want to get a quote at this stage is important. 

Reach out formally via your estate agent to find a time that’s easy for the sellers. Make sure to invite a contractor that you would actually use for the job, so as to limit the number of visits and avoid invading their space unnecessarily. You could also look to conduct a site visit at the same time as having the property surveyed. Make sure to brief your contractor on what you’re looking to do before they arrive, to use everyone’s time as efficiently as possible. 

Pay a contractor a set fee for their time 

If you think you’ve found your dream home, it’s worth spending the time and money getting a pre-exchange quote to make sure it’s the right investment for you.

Site visits and preparing detailed quotes take a considerable amount of time. No matter your intentions, if you’re not the legal owner of a property there’s a high chance that your project might not go ahead. Paying a set fee to a contractor upfront is not only fair to cover their costs if it falls through, but indicates that you’re serious about the work, getting you a better level of service. 

In acknowledging a contractor’s expertise and time, you set up a respectful relationship from the outset. As a result, you’re more likely to get a thorough assessment and accurate quote with costs broken down. There’s no point in getting a quote only to have to go through the process again at a later date if it’s vague, which could also hold up the property sale. 

Some contractors might be willing to do a site visit for free but bear in mind that it’s unlikely you’ll be their top priority. They’ll have other homeowners with signed contracts ready to get going, so you could be waiting weeks.

Getting a pre-exchange quote with The Page

At The Page, we specialise in matching homeowners with highly vetted, hands-on Pagers (our contractors) whose high-quality craftsmanship brings projects to life at competitive prices – no compromises. They’re London’s hidden gems: small, tight-knit teams who’ve mastered their craft at big construction companies, and have project management and communication nailed.

Plus, you get access to our renovation coach, Thomas, who understands both the practical and emotional aspects of extending your home and offers free expert guidance at every step. We’ll help you understand the process, connect you with the right Pager for your job, and ensure you feel confident and supported from start to finish.

Here’s how getting a pre-exchange quote with a Pager works:

1. Found your property? Get in touch below and we’ll send you over our T&Cs with regards to booking a site visit and getting a quote for pre-exchanging contracts.
2. Once you’ve signed, we’ll match you to the perfect Pager via email. You contact the contractor directly to arrange a site visit (their details are listed on their profile, linked in the email). 
3. Once your contractor has conducted your site visit, they’ll write up the quote and send it to you within five working days. Your quote will be sent with an invoice attached to The Page, for £300 plus VAT.
4. This fee is deducted from the overall project cost should you go with the same contractor.