Build the budget around the job
Start with the work the cupboard must support, its location and whether the project is new or a replacement. The chemical task, apparatus and building constraints help establish the equipment and services needed.
Bring your budget stage too: an early feasibility discussion needs different detail from a purchase-ready quotation. We can work through the equipment questions with you before the project team fixes the installation scope.
Use this quotation comparison sheet
| Cost item | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Cupboard and support | Model, width, work surface, bench or frame, and included fixtures. |
| Fan and controls | Selected fan, controller, drive arrangement and wiring responsibilities. |
| Duct and discharge | Route, fittings, supports, roof work and discharge arrangement. |
| Building services | Power, water, gas, drainage and room ventilation coordination. |
| Installation and handover | Access, lifting, commissioning, training and documents included. |
Ask each supplier to identify exclusions and assumptions beside the relevant line. Separate an optional item from an essential item supplied by another contractor.
Replacement work has its own questions
For a replacement, identify what the proposal keeps and what it changes. An existing fan, duct or bench may need assessment before it becomes part of the new system. Include asset labels, service records and drawings when available.
Ask who will organise the shutdown, clear the work area and arrange any necessary decontamination before removal. Our repair or replacement guide helps you compare the two options when that decision is still open.
Compare ongoing responsibilities
Alongside the purchase and installation scope, discuss inspection, servicing and operating requirements. For a ducted system, the building’s supply air and heating or cooling arrangements belong in the operating-cost discussion.
SashDrive controls can be part of that assessment, but a useful estimate needs your operating hours, sash use and building information. Use our SashDrive energy planning guide to collect those inputs. Ask the project team to state the assumptions behind any forecast.
Before choosing a quote, check that both proposals deliver the same intended task and handover requirements. The installation planning guide can help clarify responsibilities.
If the extraction method is still undecided, compare ducted and ductless arrangements first. A room-position sketch also helps identify building work to include in the quotation.