Short answer

Compare rigging quotes by rewriting all of them onto one line-item list before looking at any total. Two quotes differing by thousands usually differ in scope, not price: mast removal, crane hire, hardstand, turnbuckles, the forestay, furler service, chainplates, tuning, travel and GST are the items most often included in one and absent from another.

A total is not comparable information. The only way to compare quotes is to normalise them: build a single list of every possible line item, then mark for each quote whether it is included, excluded or unstated. Unstated is the category that causes disputes.

Ask each rigger the same written questions so the answers are comparable. The specification matters as much as the scope — wire type and diameter, terminal type, whether turnbuckles and toggles are new or reused, and whether the forestay is included.

Cheapest is not automatically worst and dearest is not automatically best. A higher quote that includes crane, hardstand, chainplate inspection and tuning may be less expensive than a lower one that excludes all four. Work out the true delivered cost.

Beware the quote that is cheap because it is vague. If a quote cannot tell you what wire is being fitted, with which terminals, and whether the mast is coming out, it is not a quote — it is an estimate you will be renegotiating later.

Step by step

  1. Build one line-item list

    Standing rigging, turnbuckles, toggles, pins, forestay, unstep, crane, hardstand, furler, chainplates, running rigging, tuning, travel, GST.

  2. Map each quote onto it

    Mark every item included, excluded or unstated. Chase every unstated item in writing.

  3. Compare specifications

    Wire type and diameter, terminal type, new or reused turnbuckles, whether the forestay is in scope.

  4. Normalise the totals

    Add the excluded items back at realistic figures so you are comparing delivered cost.

  5. Check terms

    Lead time, deposit, warranty, what happens if extra work is found once the mast is down.

Key facts

Compare first
Scope and specification, not totals
Most common differences
Mast removal, crane, hardstand, turnbuckles, forestay, chainplates, tuning, GST
Biggest risk
Items left unstated rather than explicitly excluded
Ask in writing
So answers from different riggers are directly comparable

Full background: read the guide