What kind of quote can you get right now?
You can contact a supplier even if your plans are not finished. What you send now affects how accurate the price can be. Find the stage that fits you:
| What you have | What to send | What to expect |
|---|---|---|
| Just an idea, no floor plan yet | Tell them which country your home is in, what you might buy, and what styles you like. Photos are fine. | Ask whether they supply those products and what they will need from you later. It is too early for a dependable price for the whole home. |
| A floor plan and a rough product list | Send your current floor plan, a list of the products you want, and any sizes or material choices you know. | Ask for an early estimate to help plan your budget. Ask which sizes, quantities and product choices they assumed. |
| Most drawings and product choices are final | Send your latest drawings, the products and finishes you have chosen, and the quantities you need. | Ask for a quote that lists each product and its price separately. Check which services are included and which choices still need your approval. |
An early estimate is a starting number based on rough information. The price can change as you choose products and confirm sizes. Before you pay, ask for a written quote based on the products you have actually chosen.
What should you send in your first message?
You do not need a special form or a finished design. A simple message with these details is enough to start:
- Where is your home? Give the country and, if you know it, the city. This helps the supplier discuss the product standards for your country and possible delivery options.
- What do you want to buy? List products such as cabinets, bathroom fixtures, doors, windows and tiles. It is fine if your list changes later.
- What do you have so far? Send a floor plan if you have one. You can also send measurements, drawings or photos of styles you like. Say what you have not decided yet.
- When do you need the products? An approximate month is enough for a first conversation. You can also share a budget range if you have one.
For example, your message could say:
Hello, I am planning a new home in [country]. I need cabinets, bathroom products, doors and tiles. Here is my current floor plan, along with some photos of styles I like. I have not decided on all the sizes and materials yet. I expect to need the products around [month/year]. Do you supply these products? What else do you need to give me an early estimate?
If you do not have a floor plan, simply say so. Ask what information you can share now and what the supplier will need once you have a plan. Be careful with a total price given before anyone knows the sizes and quantities.
What should you check when you receive a quote?
Start with the products you asked for. Then check exactly what the price includes. If something is missing or unclear, ask the supplier to explain it in writing before you use the total to plan your budget.
| Check | What to ask |
|---|---|
| Products and quantities | Is everything you asked for listed? Are the quantities right? If a product is missing, is it excluded from the total or will the supplier price it later? |
| Sizes, materials and finishes | Which sizes and materials did the supplier use to work out the price? If you have not chosen a color or finish, which one did they price? |
| Design and other services | Does the price include drawings or 3D designs? Can you ask for changes, and would those changes cost extra? Ask what other help is included. |
| Shipping and delivery | Does the price cover delivery to a port or to your home? Ask which costs you will pay for shipping, import fees, and delivery from the port to your home. |
| Things still to decide | Which prices might change? Do you still need to confirm measurements, drawings or product choices? |
A total does not tell you much if you cannot see what is included. Once you have chosen the missing details, ask the supplier to send an updated quote in writing.
Why might an early estimate change?
An early estimate uses the sizes and choices you have given so far. For example, a supplier might estimate cabinets from a rough kitchen size or tiles from an early floor plan. The final amount can change when the details change.
The amount may change when:
- Sizes or quantities change. A new floor plan may mean more cabinets, doors or tiles.
- You choose different products or materials. For example, the first estimate may use a basic cabinet finish, while you later choose a different one.
- You add services or change where the products are delivered. Design work or delivery that was not included in the first estimate can add to the total.
Ask which sizes, products and services the supplier used for the first estimate. If your drawings or choices change, request a new quote showing what changed and how that affects the price.
What should you confirm before placing an order?
Compare the latest quote with the products you have chosen. Check the sizes and quantities against your latest drawings, and confirm the materials, colors and finishes. If you chose from samples, make sure the quote names the same products.
Get written answers to these questions: Where will the products be delivered? What design or other services are included? If a product is missing, damaged or different from what you ordered, what will the supplier do, and who will pay to put it right? Ask whether any unfinished measurement or product choice could still change the price.
If you change a drawing or product, ask for a revised quote before paying. You should know what you are ordering, what it costs, and what the supplier has agreed to do.
If you are still deciding whom to work with, our guide to choosing a Chinese supplier for your home project covers the questions to ask before you commit.
Start with the information you have
Planning to buy several types of products for your home? Tell us where your home is and what you want to buy. Send your floor plan or product list if you have one; it does not have to be final. We can tell you which products we can help with and what details we need before giving you an estimate or a more detailed quote.