How to Write a Scope of Works (with a free Australian template)
A Scope of Works is the backbone of a good quote. Get it clear and you win the job and avoid arguments later. Get it vague and you cop variations, callbacks and disputes. Here is how to write one, with a free template to start from.
What a Scope of Works actually is
A Scope of Works (SOW) is a written list of exactly what you will do on a job, broken into sections and line items. It sits behind your price. It tells the client what is included, what is not, and any allowances or assumptions you have made.
What to include in every scope
- A Preliminaries section: supervision, site admin, and rubbish removal and clean-up.
- Work grouped by trade or by area, with clear line items.
- Quantities where you have them.
- Inclusions: what the price covers.
- Exclusions: what it does not.
- Clarifications and assumptions: anything to confirm on site.
- PC items and PS allowances, kept separate.
Inclusions vs exclusions
The fastest way to a dispute is leaving exclusions unsaid. If painting is not in your tiling price, write "Excludes painting". If you have assumed the slab is sound, say so. Clear exclusions protect your margin and set client expectations.
PC items and Provisional Sums
A PC (Prime Cost) item is an allowance for a product the client has not chosen yet, like tapware or tiles. A PS (Provisional Sum) is an allowance for work not fully defined yet. Keep them separate and label them, so the client knows which is which.