Build a short job brief
Write down the outcome you want, the current condition and the parts of the property affected. Add approximate measurements, the number of items, preferred materials if any and whether you want supply, installation, removal or disposal included. For a recurring fault, note when it occurs and what has already been tried.
Include your suburb and postcode, property type, parking or access restrictions, stairs, pets and whether someone must coordinate entry. Mention deadlines as preferences unless they are genuinely fixed. Avoid presenting a desired date as confirmed availability; the provider needs to assess the scope and schedule first.
Make comparisons possible
Ask each provider to respond to the same brief. A written proposal is easier to compare when it identifies labour, materials, equipment, site preparation, disposal, GST treatment where applicable, exclusions and assumptions. Clarify whether the amount is fixed, estimated or dependent on an inspection or concealed conditions.
Price is only one part of fit. Look at the proposed method, relevant experience, communication, timing assumptions and any required licences. Ask how a variation will be raised and approved if the condition behind a wall, fixture or surface differs from what was visible. Do not authorise extra work through vague verbal agreement.
What Ellis needs for initial review
For an Ellis request, provide the service needed, postcode, concise description, safe photos and access notes. Ellis uses those details to manually check serviceability and decide whether an Ellis team or a vetted service partner may be suitable. This review is not an automatic quote or a promise that a provider is available.
Before proceeding, confirm who would attend, whether an inspection is needed, what is included and what remains unknown. If regulated work may be involved, confirm the credentials relevant to that work. Keeping the initial brief and the accepted scope together creates a useful record for the homeowner, property manager and service provider.
A final pre-quote check is simple: confirm the correct address, contact person, access window, number of items, preferred outcome and any safety concern. Attach the same photo set and notes to every comparison. If one response assumes a different material or scope, ask for it to be revised before comparing totals.
Questions from this guide
Can I get a final price from photos?
Sometimes photos support an initial assessment, but access, measurements or concealed conditions may require an inspection before a firm quote.
What should a written scope include?
The task, location, quantities, materials, inclusions, exclusions, access assumptions and how variations will be approved.
Does Ellis provide instant online quotes?
No such promise is made. Requests are reviewed and serviceability is manually confirmed using the service and postcode.