Free Quote Generator for Tradesmen

A solid job quote should show your business details, the client's details, a clear description of the work broken into line items (labour and materials separately), the price for each with a total, how long the quote is valid for, your payment terms and deposit if you take one, and a place for the client to sign. Being specific about what's included — and what isn't — is what stops scope arguments later, so list materials and stages rather than a single vague lump sum.

A quote is a fixed price you're committing to for the work described — if the job goes as scoped, that's the price the client pays. An estimate is a ballpark figure given before you've fully assessed the job, and the final bill can move up or down once you've seen everything involved. Most trades are better off quoting wherever possible, since it protects your margin and gives the client certainty; use an estimate only when there's real uncertainty until walls are opened up or ground is dug.

For most domestic jobs, 20-30% upfront is standard practice and covers your initial materials without you funding the whole job out of pocket. Larger jobs with expensive materials — like a bathroom suite or a consumer unit — often justify closer to 50%, especially with a new client. Whatever you land on, put the percentage and the amount in writing on the quote itself so there's no argument when you ask for it.

Only if you're VAT-registered — which is compulsory once your taxable turnover passes the current threshold, or optional below it. If you are registered, add VAT at the applicable rate on top of your prices and show it as a separate line so the client can see it clearly; if you're not registered, leave VAT off entirely and don't show a VAT number. Charging VAT without being registered is a genuine legal problem, so if you're not sure which side of the line you're on, it's worth a quick check with an accountant.

If all you need is a fast, professional-looking quote — not job scheduling, invoicing, timesheets and a CRM — QuoteMate is built to be exactly that: type it up, see it as a proper PDF, and send it, no monthly subscription. It's not trying to replace a full job-management platform, and if you need route planning, staff scheduling or invoicing across a team, those tools still earn their fee. But for a sole trader who just wants to stop quoting on the back of an envelope, it's a genuinely free way to look the part.

30 days is the industry default and works for most jobs, since material prices and your availability rarely move much in a month. For jobs with volatile material costs, or a quote given well before the client is ready to book you in, 14 days is safer so you're not stuck honouring an old price on a job that starts three months later. Always state the valid-until date clearly on the document itself rather than leaving it implied.