A good quote starts with a good description of the job. If three tradespeople hear three different explanations, you get three prices that can't be compared. This guide covers what to say when you ask, what a quote should put in writing, and how to choose on more than price.
Before you ask: describe the job properly
Spend five minutes writing it down. The same message works for everyone:
- What's wrong, or what you want done. "There's a leak under the kitchen sink" says more than "I need a plumber".
- Where. The neighbourhood or area, house or apartment, and which floor.
- Sizes and quantities. Square metres of wall or roof, number of sockets, the capacity of the air conditioner.
- Photos. Two or three photos over WhatsApp save a visit and a lot of questions.
- When. Whether it's urgent or can wait, and what hours work can be done.
- Materials. Whether you already have them, want a particular brand, or would rather the tradesperson supplied them.
Writing in Spanish gets more replies. If your Spanish is limited, look for the English tag on a profile, or write a short message and let the photos do the work.
Get at least three
With one price you can't tell whether it's high or low. With three you can see straight away which one is out of line, in either direction, and ask why. For a small repair a message and photos are enough. For building work, a remodel or a full electrical installation, ask them to come and look: a price given without seeing the job nearly always changes later.
What a written quote should say
A WhatsApp message counts as written, as long as it clearly states:
- The work, step by step. What is and isn't included. "Fix the roof" is not a scope; "replace 12 m² of roofing sheet, seal the screws and clean the gutters" is.
- The materials. Which ones, what quality, and who buys them.
- Labour as a separate figure, where possible.
- Tax. Ask whether the price already includes ITBMS (7%).
- Dates. When it starts and how long it takes.
- Payment. How much up front, when the balance is due, and how it's paid.
- The guarantee. What it covers and for how long.
- What's left out. Removing rubble, final painting, permits.
How to compare them
| Compare | Look for |
|---|---|
| Scope | Are all three pricing the same job? The cheapest sometimes leaves part of it out. |
| Materials | Same quality and same quantity. Ask for the brand if it isn't stated. |
| Timing | An actual start date, not "next week sometime". |
| Payment | A reasonable deposit, and the balance when the work is finished. |
| Guarantee | In writing, with a time limit. |
| Reputation | How many reviews, what the recent ones say, and how they answer the bad ones. |
If one price is far below the other two, ask what it includes before you celebrate. Usually something is missing: cheaper materials, less labour, or a job with no invoice and no guarantee.
Deposits and payments
Paying part up front to buy materials is normal. Paying everything before work starts is not. The safest arrangement is to pay in stages as the work progresses and hold the last payment until it's finished and tested. Get proof of every payment: a bank transfer leaves a trail; cash without a receipt doesn't.
Warning signs
- Won't put anything in writing.
- Wants full payment up front, or takes cash only.
- Rushes you: "this price is for today only".
- Has no reviews and no references from earlier jobs.
- For electrical or plumbing work, can't show a JTIA licence (idoneidad).
Asking through BuenOficio
On the quote form you describe the job once and we send it to up to four tradespeople in your area. It's free and commits you to nothing. You can also message a business on WhatsApp straight from its profile: the message is already started for you, so you only add your description and photos.
Sources (checked 3 October 2026): Law 45 of 31 October 2007 and Executive Decree 46 of 23 June 2009.
This guide is general information: rules and prices change, and every job is different. Check the details with the official source before you decide.
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