Why do concrete quotes vary so much between contractors?

Significant quote variation usually reflects genuinely different specifications, not just different profit margins — differences in base preparation depth, reinforcement grade, concrete strength, and what’s actually included (site access work, drainage, disposal) can all add up to a meaningfully different scope behind two “quotes for the same job.”

Contractor experience, insurance, and resourcing also factor into pricing — an established contractor with genuine capacity and a track record may price differently to a smaller, less established operation, for reasons beyond just markup.

The way to genuinely compare quotes is to check they specify the same scope, strength and reinforcement — not just look at the bottom-line number in isolation.

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