Seven in 10 builders now charge for quotes as costs squeeze margins
Seven in 10 Australian builders now charge between $250 and around $1,000 for quotes instead of offering them free.
The Association of Professional Builders found 70% of Australian builders now charge when customers ask for quotes, a major shift from the old free model. A Queensland builder charges between $250 and around $1,000 per quote: quotes run 20 to 40 pages with materials, timelines, and detailed scope.
Matt Browning's inquiries fell from a dozen a week to three or four, but those leads are now serious customers, not bargain hunters shopping his expertise to cheaper competitors. Construction input costs jumped 3.8% in the year to June, while house construction prices rose 5.9%, the fastest annual rise in around three years.
Electrical equipment costs alone jumped 12.1% due to higher copper and PVC prices, plus freight and fuel. Small builders with fixed-price contracts and tight margins struggle to pass those costs to customers already watching spending.
- 70% of Australian builders
- Builders charging for quotes
- $250 to around $1,000
- Quote cost range
- 3.8% year to June
- Construction input cost rise
- 5.9% (fastest in 3 years)
- House construction price rise
Why it mattersHomeowners shopping for building work will now need to budget upfront for the quote itself, a new hurdle in an already tight market.
AustraliaAustralian families planning renovations or new homes face a new upfront cost just to get a quote, as builders protect themselves from rising expenses and time-wasters.
✓ Claims checked against the source and corrected before publish. checked 2 h ago
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