The Dangerous Truth About ‘Quick’ Phone Quotes for Sheds
Why That "$30,000 Shed" Could Actually Cost You $40,000 (Or More) – And How To Ensure You Get An Honest, Accurate Price You Can Count On
It seems like the right thing to do. You call a few shed companies for quotes, trying to get a rough idea of costs. They ask a few basic questions about size and style, then quote you a price (say around $30,000).
Wonderful! You arrange finance, tell friends and family about your plans, and start imagining how you'll use your new shed. But then reality hits…
Because that "$30,000 shed" suddenly becomes $40,000 (or more) once someone actually looks at your property. And now you're stuck – forced to find an extra $10,000, settle for less than what you want (smaller and with fewer features), or abandon your plans entirely.
This exact scenario happens more often than you'd think. And it's not just frustrating, it can be financially devastating.
Consider What Happened to Sam in Ballarat
After getting a $32,000 phone quote from another shed company, Sam arranged finance and was ready to proceed. But when the company finally inspected his property, they discovered:
- His sloping block needed extensive earthworks
- The soil type required special foundations
- Access issues meant extra equipment costs
- Council requirements added unexpected fees
The new quote? $43,500. That′s $11,500 more than Sam had budgeted (and financed). His dream shed was suddenly out of reach.
Why Phone Quotes Are Often Misleading (or Plain Wrong)
Phone quotes might seem convenient, but they ignore crucial factors that affect your final cost including:
Site Conditions: Slope, soil type, and drainage issues can add thousands to your project
Access Issues: Limited access often requires special equipment (adding significant cost)
Council Requirements: Different areas have different rules (affecting design and cost)
Services Location: Underground utilities can force design changes or relocations
Protected Trees: Even a single protected tree can require extensive redesign
Building Classification: Different classifications need different engineering (affecting cost)
The Real Cost of a "Cheap" Quote
That "cheap" phone quote often leads to:
- Budget blowouts of $10,000 or more
- Delays while you arrange extra finance
- Stress when you can't proceed as planned
- Compromises on the shed you really want
- Disappointment when you are forced to abandon your project entirely
So How Do You Get an Accurate Shed Quote?
At Outdoor Steel Solutions, we've spent 20 years helping more than 5,000 property owners build their dream sheds. And we've learned that accurate quotes require thorough assessment.
Unlike most shed companies that quote over the phone, we:
- Conduct detailed site inspections
- Check council requirements upfront
- Assess access and construction challenges
- Provide genuine fixed-price contracts
- Include everything in our initial quote
But Don't Just Take Our Word For It…
Remember Sam from Ballarat? After his disappointing experience, he came to us frustrated and wary. Our thorough assessment revealed ways to reduce costs without compromising quality. Today he has exactly the shed he wanted -- and because our quote included everything, there were no nasty surprises.
The Bottom Line? Don't Let Phone Quotes
Derail Your Project
Getting a shed quote without a proper site assessment is like buying a house without an inspection -- you're asking for costly surprises. But with the right approach, you can avoid these pitfalls and build with confidence.
Want to Learn More About Getting an
Accurate Shed Quote?
Download our comprehensive Shed Buyer's Guide. It's packed with essential information about:
- What should be included in your quote
- Hidden costs to watch out for
- Questions to ask before accepting a quote
- How to compare quotes accurately
- Ways to save money without compromising quality
Don't let misleading quotes derail your project. Get your free guide today and take the first step toward building your perfect shed -- the right way.
*Disclaimer: Names and identifying details have been changed to protect the privacy of individuals. These stories are based on real events, and any resemblance to actual persons is coincidental.
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