A useful quote explains what the customer is buying and gives you a record of what you agreed. Start with the job itself, rather than a price copied from a different piece of work.
Describe the scope
For a tap replacement, distinguish supplying the tap from fitting a customer-supplied part. Record access arrangements, disposal and any work that is excluded. If you need to inspect first, make that clear.
Estimate time and materials separately
List the tasks, expected time and parts. Multiply hours by an hourly rate, or days by a day rate, keeping the units consistent. Use your own costs and working assumptions rather than an unsourced “standard” rate.
Allow for the rest of the business
Travel, tools, insurance and administration are part of running the business. Review them when setting your prices. Check any tax treatment with your accountant before presenting the final total.
Agree changes before doing extra work
If a damaged valve changes the job, explain the additional scope and price to the customer. Keep their agreement with the job record and update the paperwork.
Learn from completed jobs
Compare estimated time and materials with the actual work. Use the differences to improve the next quote, without assuming every lost job was a pricing problem.
Explore jobs and quotes in Tender.
