- Inspection
- What is inspected, how long is the visit expected to take and what access is required?
- Property details
- Are measurements, outbuildings, leasehold, VvE matters, renovation or special conditions included?
- Evidence
- Which documents and sources must you provide, and what happens if an important document is missing?
- Validation
- Is validation included in the price, arranged separately or unavailable for the proposed report?
- Corrections
- How are factual corrections handled after delivery, and what counts as additional work?
The [NRVT guidance on assignment terms](https://www.nrvt.nl/voor-register-taxateurs/regelgeving/praktijkhandreiking-wonen/7) supports treating the assignment terms as a meaningful part of the comparison. They should explain the object, purpose, value date, information sources, fee and other relevant conditions.
## Step 4: compare the complete price
Use the total amount, including VAT and any predictable extras. Check whether the proposal separately charges for:
- validation or plausibility checks;
- travel or a difficult-to-access property;
- urgent delivery;
- additional property parts or unusual documentation;
- a second visit;
- changes requested after the assignment;
- cancellation or a failed inspection;
- administrative or dossier costs.
That principle transfers well to valuation proposals: record the amount, inclusions, exclusions and conditions in one comparison note.
## Step 5: compare timing without assuming a guarantee
Separate the inspection date from the report delivery date. Ask:
1. How soon can the inspection take place?
2. How long after the inspection is the report normally delivered?
3. Does validation add time?
4. What happens if documents or access are incomplete?
5. Is an urgent service available, and what does it cost?
A quote that says “fast” without defining the starting point or conditions is difficult to compare with a proposal that gives a clear delivery window.
## Step 6: check independence, registration and local fit
Price and speed do not answer every quality question.
Check the provider’s registration where relevant, experience with the type of property and local market, independence and any previous involvement with the home.
The NRVT practice guidance also connects assignment terms with objectivity, purpose and the valuer’s professional responsibility. These are reasons to ask a clear question before accepting a quote, especially when the provider is connected to another party in the transaction.
## A simple comparison card for each proposal
Create one card or note per provider with the same headings:
- Report
- Exact report type, validation and intended recipient.
- Scope
- Inspection, documents, special property features and corrections.
- Price
- Total including VAT, extras and circumstances that change the amount.
- Timing
- Inspection availability, delivery window and urgent option.
- Fit
- Registration, independence, property experience and local knowledge.
- Open questions
- Anything the proposal leaves unclear before you agree.
This structure keeps an apples-to-apples comparison visible. It also gives you a useful record if the lender, adviser or provider asks why a proposal was selected.
## The informed caveat: the cheapest quote can be the wrong comparison
The lowest amount may be a good choice when it covers the required product, scope and timing. It becomes a weak choice when validation, extra inspection work or delivery conditions sit outside the quote. A higher quote can also be poor value if it is vague or fails to meet the report recipient’s requirements.
The evidence cannot tell you that one provider is universally best. It can help you choose the clearest fit for a defined assignment. If two proposals remain close, ask both providers the same unanswered question and keep the written response with your quote comparison.
## Which next step fits your assignment?
## Frequently asked questions
### How many valuation quotes should I request?
There is no useful fixed number. Request enough proposals to compare the market and the relevant service scope, while keeping the brief identical. Three clear responses are often more informative than many incomplete prices.
### Should I choose the cheapest property valuer?
Choose the proposal that meets the report recipient’s requirements and gives a clear total price, scope and timeline. Cost matters, while acceptance and completeness protect you from an expensive mismatch.
### What if providers give different report types?
Ask the lender or intended recipient which type it accepts before comparing price. A model, hybrid, informal or full physical report may have different purposes and costs.
### Can a quote change after the inspection?
It can when the property, access, documentation or agreed scope differs from the original brief. Ask how changes are approved and which circumstances can create extra costs before you accept.