Contractor-quote BS-detector — worksheetEasyStagecraft Module 1 · A4 landscape recommended · one row per safety-related line item · do it BEFORE you sign the PO
How to use. Open the contractor's quote. For every line item that mentions safety, compliance, PPE, supervision, "documentation", or "site induction" — drop it into a row below. Tag the category. Write the question you'd ask the contractor. Decide what defensible looks like. Email the contractor with your category-tagged version of the quote attached. Most will revise without argument; the ones who flinch are telling you something.
M — Mandatory Required by AS/NZS standard or WHS reg. Pay it. Argue it = liability transfers.
R — Reasonable Justified by specific risk profile of this job. Fair to charge for.
O — Over-spec'd Built in because they assume you won't push back. Challenge.
T — Theatre of compliance Looks like safety, doesn't actually control any specific hazard. Refuse or itemise.
Worksheet
Line item (verbatim from quote)
Qty / unit
Amount (A$)
Category
What specific hazard does this control?
Question to ask the contractor
Defensible A$
Safety sub-total (as quoted)
A$ ____________
Defensible safety sub-total (after challenge)
A$ ____________
Saving identified
A$ ____________ ( _____% of quote )
Standard questions to ask (use as prompts)
"Which specific AS/NZS standard or WHS regulation makes this line mandatory? Cite it on the revised quote, please."
"Is this charge documented as a fixed price or pass-through? If pass-through, can I see the underlying invoice?"
"This duplicates a role I have on-site / an asset the venue holds. Why is it billed again?"
"What is the deliverable of this line — a document I receive, a person on-site, a piece of equipment? When does it arrive?"
"If the venue has a current site induction on file for your crew from our last production, can this be reduced or waived?"
"Can I see the SDS / spec / inspection cert for the equipment this line covers?"
"This is a fixed admin fee — can you itemise the hours and rate that build it up?"
Email draft (copy + customise)
Subject: Quote #________ — clarification on safety/compliance lines before PO
Hi [contractor first name],
Thanks for the quote for [production / dates]. Before we raise the PO I want to align on the safety / compliance section so there are no surprises on bump-in.
I've attached your quote with a category tag against each safety-related line (M / R / O / T per our internal review framework). For the lines tagged O or T I have a quick question against each (in the right-hand column) — happy to jump on a 15-min call this week to walk through if easier.
None of this is a fight — it's the same review I'd want a contractor to do on a quote I sent them. Once we've agreed the revised lines I'll have the PO out same-day.