What to do when the builder wants an 18-month price hold

An open quote can turn into a long risk

An 18-month price hold can look harmless on paper, but it puts your margin at the mercy of supplier increases, freight changes and labour shifts before the job even starts. Business.gov.au says a quote should be clear, specific and complete, and include a quote expiry date. If the builder wants a long hold, treat it as a contract negotiation, not a casual request. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/people/contractors/prepare-quotes?utm_source=openai))

That matters because once the customer accepts the quote, it can become a legally binding contract. If the work starts months later and your number is still open-ended, you can be locked into terms that no longer match your cost base. A short, written quote window gives you a chance to reset the deal before the risk gets baked in. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/people/contractors/prepare-quotes?utm_source=openai))

Ask for a review clause before you talk price

First ask for a rise-and-fall or price review clause. Keep it tied to something definite, such as an index movement, named supplier increases, or a set review date. Business.gov.au says contractors can agree contract changes, but those changes should be written down and both parties should agree to them. A vague promise to review later usually just delays the argument. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/people/contractors/prepare-a-contract?utm_source=openai))

Put the trigger, timing and process into the draft, not a follow-up email you hope someone remembers. If the builder wants the price held for 18 months, ask who can reopen it, what documents prove the increase, and how often the review happens. Clear terms reduce the chance of a dispute later and give both sides a proper commercial rule to follow. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/people/contractors/prepare-a-contract?utm_source=openai))

Source: Official guidance

If they will not move, price the risk yourself

If they will not accept a review clause, price the risk yourself. Business.gov.au says a good quote should be profitable, not just competitive, and should include payment terms and the other details that shape the job. If your number has to stay fixed for a long period, add a margin for the uncertainty instead of hoping to absorb it later. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/people/contractors/prepare-quotes?utm_source=openai))

That might also mean narrowing what is included. Separate the base scope from optional work, exclude items you cannot control, or split the job into stages with separate prices. The point is not to inflate the quote for no reason. It is to stop one long hold from turning into a hidden subsidy for the builder's programme. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/people/contractors/prepare-quotes?utm_source=openai))

Shorten the window and keep the record clean

Set a shorter validity period than the builder is asking for. Business.gov.au recommends including a quote expiry date, which gives you a clean point to revisit pricing if the job is delayed. An 18-month open offer is a long exposure period. If the project slips, a fresh quote can be the right commercial reset. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/people/contractors/prepare-quotes?utm_source=openai))

Keep the whole conversation in writing. Business.gov.au says it is best to put contract changes in writing, and to note what was discussed, what was agreed and when. If the builder rings with verbal acceptance or a casual promise to sort the rest later, send an email that restates the price, the expiry date, and the review clause or limits. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/people/contractors/prepare-a-contract?utm_source=openai))

Protect the margin before you sign

Before you say yes, compare the deal against your actual costs, your cash flow and the jobs already on your books. If the builder still wants the long hold, send back a marked-up draft with the review clause, the expiry date and any exclusions you need. That keeps the negotiation commercial, not emotional. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/people/contractors/prepare-quotes?utm_source=openai))

If the back-and-forth starts turning into a dispute, call CRP today about dispute resolution. Bring the quote, emails and draft contract so an independent qualified professional can help you map the next step and decide what to do next. This article is general information only and does not promise any outcome. ([business.gov.au](https://business.gov.au/people/contractors/negotiate-a-contract?utm_source=openai))