Can a quoted price change once work has started?

A properly detailed quote should hold for the scope it describes — a genuine price change is generally only appropriate if actual site conditions differ meaningfully from what was assessed or assumed at quoting stage, such as unexpected rock during excavation.

A reputable contractor communicates clearly if a genuine variation is needed, explaining specifically why and getting your agreement before proceeding, rather than simply presenting a higher bill after the fact.

This is exactly why a properly detailed initial quote — based on a real site assessment rather than assumptions — matters so much, since it minimises the likelihood of a genuine variation being needed later.

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