Quick answer
A fixed-scope quote sets one price for a defined list of work. A prime cost (PC) item is an allowance for something you have not picked yet, such as tapware or tiles. A provisional sum is an allowance for work that cannot be priced until the room is open.
The fewer allowances a quote carries, the less the final price can move. Your job is to find out which items are fixed and which are allowances.
| Quote term | Can the price move? |
|---|---|
| Fixed-scope itemA set price for a defined list of work. | Only if you change the scope in writing |
| PC item (prime cost)An allowance for an item you pick later. | Yes, if your pick costs more or less than the allowance |
| Provisional sumAn allowance for work that cannot be priced yet. | Yes, once the real work is known |
Ask for the list of allowances in writing before you accept any quote.
What is a fixed-scope quote?
A fixed-scope quote names the work, lists what is included and gives a price for that scope. The price changes only if you change the scope, and the change is agreed in writing first. That is how Elite Touch quotes: a free on-site measure, then a fixed-scope written quote.
It does not mean nothing is ever unknown. It means the unknowns are named, and the quote says how each is handled.
What is a PC item?
PC stands for prime cost. A PC item is an allowance for a product you have not chosen yet. The quote sets aside an amount for it, such as the tiles, the tapware or the basin.
If you pick something that costs more than the allowance, you pay the difference. If you pick something cheaper, the difference should come off. The risk is a low allowance that makes the quote look cheap, then grows when you shop. We lock in PC items before fit-off, and allowances are stated in writing so the budget for each tile, tap and basin is on the page.
What is a provisional sum?
A provisional sum is an allowance for work whose cost cannot be known until the job starts. The classic case is damage hidden behind the old finishes, such as rot in the floor or a failed pipe.
The final cost depends on what is found. A fair quote says what the sum covers, who decides when it is used and how any leftover is returned. Read our guide to hidden costs for the usual causes.
How do they change the final price?
Two quotes with the same total can carry very different risk. One may be nearly all fixed. The other may have a low tile allowance, a low fixture allowance and a small sum for the unknowns.
To compare quotes fairly, list every allowance and ask what a realistic figure would be. Our guide to comparing bathroom renovation quotes gives a step-by-step method.
What should you ask before you sign?
Ask which items are fixed and which are allowances. Ask how each allowance was set and what happens if you pick above or below it. Ask what the contingency covers and how a variation is approved.
We allow a contingency in every quote and inspect the floor and wall surfaces as soon as the room is open. Asbestos in older homes is tested before quoting and, if found, priced separately. Our contract guide and scope changes guide cover what the paperwork should say.
Which approach is better for you?
A mostly fixed quote suits you if you want to know your cost early and have made most choices. A quote with PC items suits you if you want to shop for tiles and fittings, as long as the allowances are realistic.
Either way, the answer is the same: get it in writing and compare like with like. Our package prices and size bases show how we publish our starting points.
Frequently asked questions
What does PC mean in a bathroom quote?
PC means prime cost. It is the amount set aside for an item you have not chosen yet, such as tapware, tiles or a basin. If your choice costs more or less, the price changes by the difference.
What is a provisional sum?
A provisional sum is an allowance for work that cannot be priced until the job starts, such as repairs hidden behind the old finishes. The final amount depends on what is found.
Is a fixed-price quote the same as a fixed-scope quote?
Close. A fixed-scope quote fixes the price for a defined list of work. The price moves only if you change the scope in writing.
Can I ask for fewer allowances in my quote?
Yes. Make your choices early and ask for those items to be priced as fixed. The more you settle before the quote, the fewer allowances are needed.
Who decides when a provisional sum is used?
The quote should say. Ask for the rule in writing, including how the work is priced and how any unused amount is returned.