How to Compare Two Workshop Quotes Line by Line

Two workshops have quoted on the same car. One comes in at €540, the other at €690. Before choosing, see if you can answer a simple question about each quote. What would you expect to be done when you collect the car?

A single total rarely answers that. Ask each shop to spell out the work so you can compare the same job across both quotes.

Use the same rows for both shops

Put the quotes side by side. Make a row for the parts, labour, materials or preparation, and any checks the shop lists. Give each row one of three labels: included, excluded or unclear. Keep the workshop’s own wording beside your label so you don’t lose the distinction between what it wrote and what you understood.

Suppose the €540 quote includes fitting a supplied bumper, while the €690 quote mentions surface preparation and fitting. That example tells you which question to ask first. “Does your price include preparation, and what would you charge if it’s required?” You still don’t know which quote is better. You know what information would let you decide.

Separate the parts question from the labour question

Check whether each shop expects you to supply the part. If it will supply the part, ask for the reference or a clear description. If you’re supplying it, ask what happens if the shop finds it doesn’t fit or can’t use it. A shop may need to inspect the part or the car before committing to a total. Record that as a condition rather than filling in the gap yourself.

Next, ask what work could change the price. A useful question is: “If you find something outside this quote, will you stop and contact me with a revised total before continuing?” Ask when payment is due and how long the shop expects to keep the car. Those answers can matter as much as the difference in price if you need the car for work.

Write the decision down

When you have both replies, write one sentence about what you’re accepting. “I’m choosing the second quote because preparation and fitting are both included, and the shop will call before any additional work.” If the first shop confirms the same scope, you may choose it instead. The exercise should give you a reason you can point to later.

File the accepted quote with the job and keep the final invoice separately. When you plan a similar job, you’ll be able to see the difference between the price discussed and the amount paid.

Take five minutes today to mark the unclear rows on your current quote. Send the workshop the one question that could change your decision. If the answer comes by phone, write a short note and ask the shop to confirm any change to the agreed price in writing.