How to compare patio quotes: what a patio quote should include (2026 checklist)
BeforeGable Roof PatioA good patio quote spells out exactly what you are paying for: size, roof, frame, footings, engineering, council approval, flashing, gutters, warranties and a payment schedule that follows the law in your state. To compare patio quotes fairly, line them up item by item on those points rather than looking only at the total.
Two quotes with the same bottom line can describe very different patios. This checklist helps you spot what is included, what is missing and which deposit is legal where you live.
What should a patio quote include?
Use this list when the quotes arrive. If an item is missing, ask the installer to add it in writing.
The structure
- Size and height: length, width and height in metres, plus where it attaches to the house.
- Roof type: flat, skillion, gable, curved, insulated panel, polycarbonate or louvre.
- Roof sheets: the brand, profile and thickness, or for insulated panels, the panel thickness.
- Colours: roof, frame, gutters and the underside if it differs.
- Frame: post and beam sizes and materials, such as steel, aluminium or timber.
- Footings: new concrete footings or fixing to an existing slab, and who decides which.
Approvals and engineering
- Engineering: whether the design is certified for your site and wind conditions.
- Council approval or building permit: whether one is needed, who prepares and lodges it, and whether fees are included.
- Drawings: site plan and elevations if the council needs them.
Our guide to council approval for patios and pergolas explains when approval is needed in each state.
Connections and drainage
- Flashing: how the roof meets your house, such as a fascia connection or a roof riser bracket over the existing roof.
- Gutters and downpipes: sizes, how many downpipes, and whether they connect to your stormwater.
- Electrical: lights, fans and power points, and confirmation a licensed electrician does the work.
The job itself
- Removal: taking down and disposing of an old patio, if there is one.
- Site clean up: removal of offcuts and packaging.
- Timeline: an estimated start date and how many days on site.
Paperwork and protection
- Licence number: the builder's licence or registration number, matching the business name on the quote.
- Insurance: home warranty or similar insurance where your state requires it, and public liability.
- Warranties: structural, workmanship and the roof sheet manufacturer's warranty, each with its length.
- Payment schedule: the deposit and each progress payment, tied to stages of work.
- Variations: how changes are priced and approved.
- Quote expiry: how long the price holds.
How much deposit can a patio builder ask for?
Every state sets its own rules, and they depend on the contract price. These are the limits we confirmed on official government pages in October 2026.
| State | Maximum deposit | Source |
|---|---|---|
| NSW | 10% | NSW Government |
| VIC | 10% for contracts under $20,000; 5% for $20,000 or more | Consumer Affairs Victoria |
| QLD | 20% for work of $3,300 or less; 10% for $3,301 to $19,999; 5% for more than $20,000 | QBCC |
| WA | 6.5% for residential building work of $7,500 or more | WA Building and Energy |
| TAS | 10% for contracts of $20,000 to $50,000; 5% for $50,000 or more | CBOS Tasmania |
A few details are worth knowing:
- Queensland exception: the QBCC allows a deposit of up to 20% where customised or prefabricated work done off site makes up more than 50% of the contract price. It lists pergolas among its examples, so ask your builder which rule they are relying on.
- NSW insurance first: for contracts over $20,000, the builder must give you a Home Building Compensation certificate before asking for a deposit or any other payment.
- Victoria is changing: new domestic building contract laws passed in September 2025 and will take effect by 1 December 2026. Consumer Affairs Victoria says deposit limits can be set in regulations, so check the current figure before you sign.
- SA, ACT and NT: we have not listed figures here. Check with your state or territory's consumer affairs or building regulator before paying anything.
A builder asking for more than the legal limit is a red flag on its own.
Licence and insurance thresholds to check on a quote
A quote should show a licence or registration number. Whether one is required depends on the value of the work:
- NSW: a licence is needed for residential building work over $5,000 including GST, and Home Building Compensation cover applies to contracts over $20,000.
- VIC: builders must be registered for work over $10,000. Home Warranty insurance applies to work over $20,000 from 1 July 2026.
- QLD: work over $3,300 must be done by an appropriately licensed person.
- WA: only a registered building contractor can carry out building work of $20,000 or more where a building permit is required, and home indemnity insurance applies to work over $20,000.
Our guide to choosing a patio builder shows how to check a licence on each state's official register.
How to compare patio quotes side by side
Put the quotes in a simple table with one column per installer. Then work through these steps.
- Match the size. Convert each quote to price per square metre if the sizes differ.
- Match the roof. An insulated roof and a plain sheet roof are different products, so do not compare them directly.
- Tick off inclusions. Mark footings, engineering, approval fees, gutters, electrical and removal as included or extra.
- Add the missing extras. Add a realistic amount for anything one quote leaves out.
- Compare warranties. A longer, written structural warranty has real value.
- Check the payment schedule. Payments should follow progress, not run ahead of it.
This table shows typical installed prices for common extras, so you can fill the gaps:
| Extra | Typical supply and install |
|---|---|
| Lighting | $600 to $1,500 |
| Ceiling fan | $500 to $1,200 |
| Outdoor blinds | $2,500 to $6,000 |
| Gutter connection | $300 to $800 |
| Old patio removal | $500 to $2,000 |
Typical Australian ranges before any state difference. Electrical work must be done by a licensed electrician.
Is your patio quote a fair price?
Once the quotes are comparable, check them against a typical range. For a 6 × 4.5 m gable roof patio, indicative installed prices are around $18,500 to $21,500 in NSW and $16,000 to $18,500 in SA. A quote well outside the range deserves a question, not an instant yes or no.
BeforeGable Roof PatioThese are indicative prices only; a site measure and quote sets the real price. Our patio cost guide and patio extras guide give more detail, and the patio cost calculator gives a range for your size.
Red flags in a patio quote
Walk away, or at least ask hard questions, if you see any of these:
- A deposit above your state's limit.
- No licence number, or a licence in a different name to the business.
- Vague specs such as "standard roof" or "steel frame" with no sizes.
- "No council needed" without any explanation.
- A cash discount for skipping paperwork.
- Pressure to sign today for a special price.
- No written warranty.
If you want fewer calls and less pressure, Backyard Mate puts you in touch with one local installer only, after you have seen the patio on your own house. You should still check the quote against this list.
Common questions
How many patio quotes should I get?
Two or three detailed quotes is usually enough to see a fair price range. More than that tends to cost you time and phone calls without changing the picture. What matters most is that each quote covers the same size, roof and inclusions.
How much deposit should I pay for a patio?
It depends on your state and the contract price. NSW caps deposits at 10%, Victoria at 10% for contracts under $20,000 and 5% for $20,000 or more, and WA at 6.5% for residential building work of $7,500 or more. In Queensland the cap for work over $20,000 is 5%, although up to 20% can apply where most of the value is customised work made off site, and the QBCC lists pergolas as an example.
Should a patio quote include council approval?
It should say clearly whether approval is needed and who handles it. Some installers include drawings, engineering and lodgement in the price, while others charge them separately. If a quote says approval is not needed, ask why, and check with your council.
Why are my patio quotes so different?
Big gaps usually come from different inclusions: insulated versus plain sheets, new footings versus fixing to a slab, engineering, approval fees, gutters and electrical work. Line the quotes up item by item and the gap often shrinks or becomes easy to explain.
Is the cheapest patio quote a bad sign?
Not always, but check it carefully. A low price can mean thinner materials, no engineering, missing approvals or extras left out. Make sure the builder is licensed and the quote is complete before you decide.
Keep reading
Sources
- Contracts for residential building work | NSW Government
- Deposits and payments for building work | Consumer Affairs Victoria
- New domestic building contract laws passed in Victoria | Consumer Affairs Victoria
- Deposits and progress payments | Queensland Building and Construction Commission
- $10,000 penalty for excessive deposit and unregistered building work | WA Government (Building and Energy)
- Residential Building Consumer Guide | CBOS Tasmania
- Checking your contractor or tradesperson is qualified | NSW Government
- About builders, tradespeople and other building practitioners | Consumer Affairs Victoria
- Don't risk further damage by unlicensed building work | QBCC
Prices on this page come from Backyard Mate's pricing for each state and are indicative only. Rules and products change: check with your council and installer before you build.