Pricing jobs accurately is a fine art. If you quote too high, you might lose the job to a cheaper competitor. If you quote too low, you’ll end up working for pennies—or worse, losing money on materials.
To make matters more challenging, "scope creep" (when customers ask for extra little tasks once you're on site) can quickly eat away at your profit margins. Here is how to quote professionally and set boundaries that keep your business profitable.
Step 1: Use Itemised Pricing
Providing a single lump-sum figure (e.g., "Bathroom renovation: £4,500") is a recipe for trouble. It makes it easy for customers to haggle, and it leaves room for massive misunderstandings about what is included.
Instead, always itemise your quotes. Separate:
- Materials (with a markup to cover travel and sourcing time)
- Labour (broken down by task or estimated days)
- Any specialized sub-contractor fees (e.g., electrical signing-off)
Step 2: Establish a Clear "Scope of Work"
To prevent scope creep, specify exactly what is not included in your price. If you are fitting a kitchen, write down whether decoration, plastering, or waste disposal is included. If the customer asks for something extra, you can point to the quote and say, "I'd love to help with that. Since it's outside the original scope, let me send you a quick variation quote for it."
💡 The TradesHelper Shortcut:
TradesHelper's Notes with Fast Drafter helps you parse messy job site notes into a clean, itemised scope of work. You can dictate your notes on-site, and Fast Drafter structures them into a clear customer quote ready to send.
Step 3: Get Written Approval Before Starting
Never start a job on a verbal "yeah, looks good." If a dispute arises later, you have no paper trail. Always send your quote via a professional medium and require the customer to formally accept it.
💡 The TradesHelper Shortcut:
When you send a quote via TradesHelper, your customer receives a secure access link to their Customer Portal. They can review the itemised breakdown on their phone and tap "Accept Quote" to sign off. The status in your app is updated instantly, creating an indisputable record before you buy a single copper pipe.
Conclusion
Pricing your jobs correctly is the single most important factor in running a profitable business. By separating materials, labour, and subcontractor fees, you create clear boundaries and protect your margins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I handle scope creep on-site?
Itemise your original quote and send a separate variation quote for any additional customer requests before performing the work.
Should I charge for creating a quote?
For standard jobs, quotes are usually free. For complex diagnostics, charge a call-out fee that can be deducted from the final invoice if the work is accepted.
What's the difference between a quote and an estimate?
A quote is a legally binding offer once accepted. An estimate is a rough price guide that may change as the job progresses.
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