The layout
| Section | What to put in it |
|---|---|
| Your details | Business name, address, phone, email, and your VAT number if you're registered |
| Customer and site | Customer's name and contact details, and the address of the job if it's different |
| Quote number and date | A unique reference, the date, and a valid-until date (30 days is common) |
| Scope of works | What you'll do, room by room or stage by stage, in plain words the customer can check |
| Provisional sums | Allowances for things you can't price yet, such as hidden structural work, clearly marked |
| Exclusions | What isn't included, so there are no arguments later |
| Price | Labour and materials, itemised as far as is sensible, total before VAT, VAT at 20% if you're registered, and the total |
| Payment terms | Deposit, stage payments and when the balance is due |
| Acceptance | How the customer accepts: a signature, or accepting online |
Example: scope and pricing for a kitchen extension
| Item | Description | Price |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Excavate and pour foundations to building control approval | £4,200 |
| 2 | Blockwork and brickwork to wall plate, brick to match existing | £9,800 |
| 3 | Flat roof, warm deck, with two rooflights (supplied by customer) | £6,400 |
| 4 | Provisional sum: steel beam, subject to engineer's design | £1,500 |
| Total before VAT | £21,900 |
Figures are an example of the format, not a price guide. Price your own work from your costs and rates.
Mistakes that cost builders money
- No valid-until date, so a customer accepts months later at old material prices.
- A vague scope, such as "build extension", which leaves you arguing about finishes.
- No exclusions: skips, making good, decoration and building control fees are the usual disputes.
- No payment stages on a long job, leaving you funding the materials.
Do it in DripLess
Less paperwork, more paid work.
DripLess builds quotes with your reference numbers, sends them by email, and lets the customer accept online. An accepted quote becomes a job, ready to invoice.
Questions
What should a builder's quote include?
Your details, the customer and site address, a quote number and date, how long the quote is valid for, a clear scope of works, exclusions, provisional sums for anything you can't price yet, the price with VAT shown if you're registered, payment terms and how to accept.
Is a builder's quote legally binding?
A quote is a fixed price offer. Once the customer accepts it, it forms a contract on those terms. That's why the scope, exclusions and valid-until date matter.
How long should a builder's quote be valid for?
Many builders use 30 days, because material prices change. Put the date on the quote so it's clear.
Should I charge for quotes?
Most builders quote for free on domestic work, but some charge for detailed quotes that take time, such as those needing drawings, and refund it if the job goes ahead. If you charge, say so before you visit.