Start with the result you want
‘Please quote for assembly’ leaves many questions unanswered. Identify the furniture or room, describe its present condition and say what you want finished. Does a packaged wardrobe need assembling, or must an existing piece first be dismantled and carried out of the room?
Separate known facts from open questions. ‘Wall construction unknown’ is more useful than an assumption everyone later relies on. Include the preparation you will do yourself and any work another business will handle.
Germany’s Verbraucherzentrale recommends agreeing the eventual scope, work date and payment in writing where possible. Your enquiry supplies the initial information; the specific agreement follows with the contractor.
Choose photos that explain the job
Start with an overview, then add details that explain your description. A close-up alone often does not show where something is. Give files clear names such as ‘Living-room-overview’ or ‘Wardrobe-model’ and match them to the points in your enquiry.
Photograph only areas you can reach safely. Do not open electrical covers or remove building components to take pictures. Keep people, private documents, keys and access codes out of the frame; crop out unnecessary personal information before sending.
| Photo | What it should show | What to keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | The room, furniture or affected area in context | Include neighbouring areas when they affect access or the work. |
| Detail | Visible condition, the area concerned or a missing part | Add a short description; do not treat a photograph as a technical diagnosis. |
| Product | Model name, relevant instructions or available materials | Show the product information needed, rather than an invoice containing personal details. |
| Access | A narrow doorway, staircase or route to the work area | Describe obstacles; a photograph does not confirm that an item will fit through. |
Label measurements clearly and identify estimates
State what each number measures and include its unit: for example, ‘Wardrobe according to product details: width 200 cm, height 236 cm, depth 60 cm’. Distinguish manufacturer specifications, measurements you took and rough estimates. Give each room or item a separate line.
A simple sketch can show where the dimensions belong. Include doors, recesses and intended positions where relevant. If you cannot measure a location safely, say so. Photographs do not provide a reliable scale.
Your figures help prepare the enquiry. Agree which dimensions the contractor must verify before ordering, cutting or installation. Do not present an estimated floor area as a confirmed material order quantity.
List work stages, materials and unanswered questions
Describe more than the main visible task. Ask about preparation and finishing if you need them. The list below suggests items to discuss; it does not mean every item is included in a quote.
- Preparation: who clears the area, protects existing surfaces or removes old parts?
- Main task: what needs assembling, laying, carrying or removing, and how much is there?
- Materials: what is already available, what has not been ordered and who should purchase missing parts?
- Finishing: should packaging, old parts or other remaining items be taken away or left on site?
- Other work: are utility connections or other specialist tasks needed? List these separately and clarify responsibility with a suitable contractor.
- Unknowns: which conditions, defects or requirements need checking on site?
Include access and timing in the same enquiry
Give the postcode, town, floor level, lift availability and known narrow passages. Describe the route from the possible unloading point to the work area. If parking or unloading arrangements are unresolved, mark them as such instead of assuming they will be available.
Distinguish a preferred date from a firm deadline, such as a planned property handover. Mention occupied rooms, whether materials have arrived and work that must be completed first. Stating a deadline does not confirm the contractor’s availability.
An enquiry template to copy
Copy these lines and replace the square brackets. Remove points that do not apply and mark missing information as ‘to be confirmed’.
- Task and result: [What should an independent contractor do? What outcome do I want?]
- Location and property: [Postcode, town; flat, house or commercial premises; area concerned]
- Current condition: [What is already there? What have I noticed?]
- Quantity and dimensions: [Item count or area; dimensions with units, labelled as measured, estimated or manufacturer specifications]
- Materials and products: [Model, instructions, available parts; delivery status; purchasing still unresolved?]
- Requested work stages: [Preparation, main task, finishing; additional work needed]
- My preparation: [What will I do myself? What will another contractor handle?]
- Access: [Floor, lift, narrow passages, carrying route, known unloading arrangements]
- Timing: [Preferred period; any fixed deadline and its reason; outstanding preparation]
- Photos and questions: [Which images are ready? What does the contractor still need to check?]
How to send your information to HandMen
Paste your description into the enquiry form and complete the contact fields. The form has no file upload function. After submitting it, send your selected photos separately to the email address shown there. Where possible, use the same sender address and identify the task and town so the photos can be matched to your enquiry.
HandMen provides online marketing and enquiry referrals. The specific independent partner is named and your separate consent is requested before your information is passed on. HandMen does not carry out the work. You deal directly with the appointed contractor for the quote, contract, execution, invoice and payment.
What still needs to be confirmed
The contractor decides whether the information is sufficient for a quote or whether questions, documents or a site visit are needed. Photos alone do not guarantee a price, technical feasibility or an appointment.
Keep your description and date any changes. If you approach several businesses, use the same current version. Once quotes arrive, you can check which tasks are included and which items remain unresolved.
