Guide
How to quote a job as a tradie
A good quote wins the work and protects the margin. This is a simple order to work through, whatever the trade.
Updated
Before you price anything
- See the job if you can. Photos from the customer help, but a site visit catches access, old work and surprises.
- Ask what the customer actually wants done, when, and what matters most to them: price, timing or finish.
- Measure and note quantities on the spot, with photos, so the quote can be checked later.
Price it
- Materials: list each item and quantity, priced from your supplier's current prices, plus a little for waste and offcuts.
- Labour: estimate the hours for each part of the job, including travel, setting up, cleaning up and anything that needs a second person.
- Overheads and margin: your rate has to cover the van, insurance, tools, the office and time spent quoting, then leave a profit. Work out your charge-out rate if you have not.
- Allow for the unknowns in old buildings or hidden work, either as a contingency or as a clear exclusion.
Write it so it can be accepted
- Describe the scope in plain words: what you will do and what the customer will end up with.
- List what is not included, such as making good, rubbish removal or permits, so nobody is surprised.
- Say how long the price stands, the payment terms and whether the prices include GST.
- Make it easy to say yes: a clear total and one way to accept.
If you cannot fix a price yet, say so and give an estimate instead, clearly labelled. Quote vs estimate explains the difference.
Follow it up
Many quotes are simply forgotten. A short follow-up a few days later, answering any questions, wins jobs that would otherwise drift away. Keep track of which quotes were won and lost so you learn which work suits you.
Doing it faster
A price list of your common items and labour rates turns most quotes into picking lines rather than starting from scratch. In Crewzy you can describe the job, or add photos, and get a draft quote priced only from your own list to check and send. Customers accept online, and an accepted quote becomes the job.