Typically, a builder's quote is valid for a limited period, but there is no single fixed answer. So how long is a builder's quote valid? It is whatever the quote says. If the document shows no date, you need to ask. Validity periods vary from builder to builder, so do not assume a standard length.
What matters for you is knowing the date, comparing quotes fairly when their dates differ, and getting any change in writing. This guide covers where to find the expiry date, what to do if it is close or has passed, and how it differs from price rises after you accept. It is a general guide, not legal or financial advice.
How long is a builder's quote valid? The short answer
There is no single period that applies to every quote. Citizens Advice says a quote should state how long the price is valid, whether the price includes VAT, and when the price can go up. For example, the price might rise only if you agree to extra work or extra material costs.
In practice:
- A stated validity period is normal. Expect to see one, and treat a quote that gives none as something to query.
- The quote itself sets the period. A quote that says "valid for 30 days" or "valid until 14 March" is telling you how long the builder will hold that price.
- If there is no expiry date, ask. Do it by email or message, so the answer is in writing. A line such as "Please confirm how long this price is valid for" is enough.
Citizens Advice also advises getting quotes in writing rather than relying on a verbal quote. A verbal price with no date leaves you with very little to rely on.
For your rights in a specific situation, check Citizens Advice or take advice from a qualified professional.
Why builders put an expiry date on a quote
An expiry date is usually a practical safeguard, not a sales tactic. Builders are pricing a defined piece of work at a particular point in time, and several things can shift while you think it over:
- Material prices move. Timber, insulation, bricks, tiles and kitchen units can change in cost between a quote and an order.
- Subcontractor prices move. Electricians, plasterers, roofers and plumbers may revise their own rates, and the builder's price often depends on theirs.
- The diary fills up. A quote usually assumes the builder can start in a particular window. If that slot is taken by another job, the original price may no longer make sense.
An expiry date also helps you. It tells you when the price is firm and when you need to check again. A quote with a clear date is easier to rely on and easier to compare than one that says nothing.
Many builders who set a validity period are not trying to rush anyone. The problem comes when a short deadline is used as pressure, which is covered below.
Where to find how long a builder's quote is valid (and what vague wording means)
Validity wording is often small and easy to miss. Check these places:
- The header or summary box, near the quote date and reference number.
- The footer, where short conditions are often placed.
- The terms and conditions, which may sit on a separate page or be attached to the email.
- The covering email, as some builders mention the deadline there rather than on the document.
"Valid for 30 days" vs "valid until [date]"
"Valid for 30 days" sounds clear, but it raises questions. Does the clock start on the date written on the quote, the date it was emailed, or the date you received it? If the quote was prepared on the 1st and sent on the 10th, you could lose nine days without realising.
"Valid until 14 March" removes that doubt. A specific date is easier to put in a diary and easier to compare across several quotes. If a quote only gives a number of days, ask the builder to confirm the exact end date.
Wording to query
- No date at all. Ask for one in writing.
- "Subject to material price changes." This can be reasonable for volatile items, but it can also leave the price open. Ask which materials it applies to and how any change would be calculated and agreed.
- "Price valid until Friday." A very short deadline, especially alongside a request for a deposit, deserves a calm pause. A reasonable builder should be able to explain why the date is that short.
- A price that depends on a start date. If the quote only holds if work begins by a certain date, check that the date is realistic for both of you.
Once a quote has lapsed, the price may no longer be firm, so it helps to know which kind of document you hold. Citizens Advice describes a quote as a promise to do work at an agreed price, and an estimate as the trader's best guess. If you are unsure which one you hold, read the difference between a quote and an estimate.
Quote expiry vs price rises after you accept: what is different
These are two separate situations, and they are easy to confuse.
1. Before you accept. The quote is an offer with a time limit. If the date passes, the builder may withdraw it, re-quote at a different price or decline the job. That is the main risk of an expired quote.
2. After you accept a fixed-price quote. The position changes. Citizens Advice says that if you have a quote, the trader can't charge more than quoted unless there is a good reason, and they can't charge more just because their costs have gone up since they gave the quote. A good reason could be extra work that you agreed to.
So the validity date is about how long you have to accept. It is not a general licence for the builder to increase the price later. How this applies to your contract depends on what was agreed, so check Citizens Advice or take professional advice if there is a dispute.
A few practical points follow from this:
- Agree variations in writing. If you ask for extra work or change the specification, get the revised cost confirmed before it goes ahead.
- Watch for open-ended items. Allowances in a quote can change once the real cost is known. Read provisional sums in builder quotes to see how these work and what to ask.
- Keep the accepted quote. Store the signed or confirmed version and any later written changes together.
What to do if your quote is about to expire (or already has)
If the date is close or has passed, you do not have to accept on the spot. A short, written approach usually works best.
1. Ask the builder to extend the date or confirm the price still holds. Keep it simple: "Our quote dated [date] was valid until [date]. Could you confirm whether the price still stands, or extend it to [new date]?" This is also how to ask a builder to extend quote validity without any awkwardness. 2. Ask what has changed, if anything. If the price is going up, ask which lines are affected and whether the driver is materials, labour or something else. 3. Request a revised written quote. It should carry a new issue date and a new valid-until date. If possible, ask the builder to mark the changed lines so you can see exactly what moved. 4. Check the scope is unchanged. A revised price sometimes comes with a revised specification. Make sure you are not comparing different work. 5. Do not pay a deposit just to lock the price. If the only reason to pay now is to beat a deadline, step back. Coventry City Council's building control advice includes getting a written contract and not paying in advance. For what is reasonable, see how much deposit a builder should ask for.
If a builder says an expired quote now costs more, that is not automatically unreasonable. Material and labour costs do change. What you should expect is a clear, written explanation and enough time to compare it with your other options.
How to compare quotes that expire on different dates
Quotes rarely arrive on the same day, so their expiry dates rarely match. A cheaper quote that expires next week and a slightly dearer one that holds for two months are not like-for-like. Neither is a quote whose price is held only until a date before the builder can actually start.
A simple comparison table helps. Fill one in for each quote:
| What to record | Quote A | Quote B | Quote C |
|---|---|---|---|
| Date issued | |||
| Valid-until date (exact) | |||
| Start date offered | |||
| Does the price hold until the start date? | |||
| Materials specification assumed | |||
| Provisional sums included | |||
| VAT included or excluded | |||
| Conditions on price changes |
Then compare line by line. Dorset Council advises asking at least three builders to provide quotes and sending each of them the same full set of detailed drawings, if you have them. Coventry City Council also lists getting at least 3 quotations among its advice. Giving every builder the same information makes the dates and prices much easier to compare fairly.
Also bear in mind that Citizens Advice suggests being cautious if the price is a lot lower than other quotes you get. A low price with a short expiry and thin wording may be missing items rather than being a bargain.
For a fuller method, see how to compare builder quotes properly.
If reading several quotes side by side is a struggle, ScopeCheck compares 2 to 5 builder or trade quotes line by line, so you can see what is included, what is missing and where the prices really differ. It compares quotation wording only. It does not inspect work, value property or give legal or financial advice, and it does not recommend or rank specific traders.
Timing your quotes so the price is still valid when you decide
A little planning at the start can avoid most expiry problems.
- Collect quotes close together. If all your quotes arrive within a couple of weeks, their validity windows overlap and you can decide with every price still live.
- Note the earliest expiry date. Aim to decide, and ideally to book, before it passes. If you need longer, ask for an extension early rather than on the last day.
- Ask when the builder can realistically start. A price held for a short period is not much use if the start date is much later. Ask the builder to confirm in writing how the price would be treated if the start moves.
- Allow for lead times. Popular builders are often booked well ahead, and planning permission or building control steps can take time too. Those waits can outlast a validity window, so agree upfront how the price will be reviewed if that happens.
- Decide the review method in advance. For longer projects, ask whether the price will be reconfirmed at a set date, and what evidence the builder would give for any change, such as supplier price lists.
This is cautious, general advice based on common industry practice. Every project differs, so adapt it to your timetable and the scale of the work.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a builder's quote usually valid for in the UK?
There is no single fixed period. It varies from builder to builder, but the quote itself should say. Citizens Advice says a quote should state how long the price is valid.
What if my builder's quote has no expiry date?
Ask the builder to confirm the validity period in writing, ideally as an exact date. Having it in an email or on a revised quote gives you something clear to refer back to.
Can a builder put the price up after the quote has expired?
Once a quote has lapsed, the builder may re-quote, and the new price may reflect changed costs or availability. Ask for the reasons and a revised written quote before deciding. For your rights in a particular case, check with Citizens Advice.
Can I ask a builder to extend the validity of a quote?
Yes, and it is reasonable to ask, ideally before the date passes. Request a revised date in writing, and ask for confirmation that the scope and price are otherwise unchanged.
Can a builder increase the price after I have accepted the quote?
Citizens Advice says that with a quote, the trader can't charge more than quoted unless there is a good reason, and can't charge more just because their costs have gone up. Extra work you have agreed to can be a good reason, so keep any changes in writing.
Next step
Before an expiry date forces your hand, put your quotes side by side with their dates, scope and exclusions. If you would like help with that, you can compare your builder quotes line by line and see what is included, what is missing and where the prices differ. There is a free preview for 2 quotes. Compare the work, not just the price.