5 Quoting Mistakes That Cost Tradespeople Thousands
· 4 min read
Every tradesperson has stories of jobs that went sideways — not because of the work itself, but because of a dodgy quote. Quoting mistakes don't just hurt your profit margins; they damage your reputation and waste your time. Here are five of the most common ones and how to fix them.
1. Underestimating materials
It's easy to ballpark material costs, especially if you've done similar jobs before. But prices change, suppliers vary, and the odd extra bag of cement or box of screws adds up. Always price-check materials before quoting and add a small buffer (5–10%) for unexpected needs.
2. Forgetting to account for your time properly
Your labour rate should cover more than just the hours on-site. Factor in travel time, quoting time, admin, insurance, tools, and vehicle costs. If you're charging $40/hour but your real cost of doing business is $55/hour, you're working at a loss.
3. Not including exclusions
If something isn't covered in your quote, say so. "Painting not included," "Assumes clear site access," or "Excludes council permits" are all reasonable exclusions. Without them, the client may expect those things for free — and that's when disputes happen.
4. Sending quotes too late
Speed matters. If a client requests three quotes and yours arrives last, you're already at a disadvantage. Aim to send your quote within 24 hours. Using a quoting tool like instanttradequote lets you build and send a professional quote on the spot — even from your phone.
5. Using inconsistent formatting
One quote as a text message, another as a PDF, another scribbled on paper. Inconsistency looks unprofessional and makes it harder to track your pipeline. Pick a format, stick with it, and keep records of every quote you send.
Fixing these five mistakes won't just save you money — it'll help you win more work and build a business that clients trust and recommend.