How to choose a building contractor in Puglia: the no-nonsense guide
The lowest quote is almost never the best value. Here is how to really compare offers and how to tell a serious contractor from trouble on its way.
Compare bills of quantities, not totals
Ask everyone for the same format: items, quantities, unit prices, materials stated by brand and model. A total without a bill of quantities is not a quote: it is a promise.
The guarantees that matter
Posthumous ten-year insurance for structural works, two-year guarantee on defects, penalties for delay, progress tied to payments.
Verifiable references
Photos of completed works with dates and locations, contacts of previous clients, sites you can visit. Catalogue images prove nothing.
The contract
Specification, schedule, payment terms, handling of contingencies, cancellation terms. All in writing before you start, not during.
The checklist before you start
Define the real budget
Not just how much you want to spend, but also how much you can set aside for surprises: a practical rule is to reserve 10-15% of the budget for what emerges during the works.
Gather information on the property
Year of construction, last refurbishment, condition of the systems, cadastral floor plan: the more data you give at the site visit, the more realistic the quote will be.
Compare breakdowns, not totals
Two quotes can only be compared item by item: materials, quantities, exclusions. A low total without a detailed breakdown does not mean a saving.
Check warranties and references
Ten-year insurance, penalties for delay, works photographed with dates and places, contacts of previous clients: promises without proof are worth little.
Plan the times of your life
Moves, furniture, any rentals: the programme of works must be cross-checked with your diary to avoid costly overlaps.
Put everything in writing
Specification, programme of works, payment terms, how surprises will be handled: before the start, not during. It is the simplest protection there is.
Take your time with these six points: they cost nothing and protect everything. One piece of advice we repeat to every client: never choose on price alone. A renovation is a project you will live with for years, and the difference between a serious firm and a low-ball offer shows after six months, not on the day you sign. Take the time to visit a site, talk to a previous client, read the contract calmly: those are hours well spent.
One more thing worth saying: the best time to plan a renovation is before you start buying materials or booking trades. A couple of days of thinking at the beginning saves weeks of corrections later. Our job is to help you ask the right questions from day one — and to answer them with numbers, not adjectives. Every guide on this site comes from our real sites: the figures are the ones we meet every day, the mistakes we describe are the ones we have learned to avoid. We update them regularly because prices, incentives and regulations change — and a guide that is a year old can point you in the wrong direction. If something is not clear or you want to explore your specific case, the free site visit is the natural next step.
Frequently asked questions
+Is a 30% deposit normal?
Yes, it is standard practice for starting supplies; be wary of deposits above 40% before the works begin.
+How do I know if the price is too low?
If it is far below the market range (190-430 €/sqm in Puglia) and there is no detailed bill of quantities, items or quality are almost always missing.
Want to apply this guide to your own case?
Free site survey across Puglia: we assess your situation and give you real numbers, not blind estimates.
Request your free quoteCosts and timelines
Costs are built to measure after the free survey: every item is quantified and timelines are written into the contractual schedule. For How to choose a building contractor in Puglia: the no-nonsense guide we always give a realistic range before starting.
How we work
One method: survey, itemised bill of quantities, contract with penalties, documented site with photos and inspected handover. The same person follows How to choose a building contractor in Puglia: the no-nonsense guide from start to finish.
Guarantees
Two-year warranty on defects, ten-year where required, certified system compliance and late-delivery penalties written into the contract. No extra cost without your written approval.
How to get started
Request the free quote: we reply within 24 working hours, book the survey in your town and you receive a detailed proposal within a week.
Frequently asked questions
Answers to the most common questions about costs, timelines and permits for How to choose a building contractor in Puglia: the no-nonsense guide. If your question is missing, write to us: we always reply.