You’re losing jobs. Not because your prices are too high — but because your quotes are too slow, too messy, or too forgettable.
In a competitive market, the tradesperson who wins the job isn’t always the cheapest. They’re the one who responds fastest with a professional-looking quote that gives the customer confidence.
Speed Wins Jobs
Research shows that the first tradesperson to quote gets the job 60% of the time. Not the cheapest. The fastest.
Think about it from the customer’s perspective:
- They’ve got a problem (leaky roof, broken boiler, dodgy electrics)
- They message 3-4 tradespeople
- The first one to respond with a clear quote gets the job
- By the time the others reply, the customer’s already said yes
Your target: Quote within 2 hours of enquiry. Same day at minimum.
What Makes a Winning Quote
1. Professional Presentation
A text message saying “yeah mate, about £800” doesn’t cut it anymore. Your quote should include:
- Your business name and logo
- Clear breakdown of what’s included
- Materials and labour listed separately
- Timeline for completion
- Payment terms
- Your contact details
2. Clear Scope
Spell out exactly what’s included — and what isn’t. This prevents disputes later and shows the customer you’ve thought it through.
Bad: “Full bathroom refit — £4,500”
Good:
- Strip out existing bathroom suite and tiles
- Supply and fit new bath, toilet, basin, and shower
- Full re-tile (walls and floor)
- New lighting (3x downlights)
- All plumbing and waste connections
- Excludes: structural work, underfloor heating, bespoke joinery
3. Options and Upsells
Give the customer choices. A single price feels like a take-it-or-leave-it. Three options feel like you’re helping them decide:
- Essential: The basics done well — £3,800
- Standard: Essential + upgraded fixtures — £4,500
- Premium: Standard + underfloor heating + LED mirror — £5,800
Most customers pick the middle option. And you’ve just increased your average job value.
Common Quoting Mistakes
- Quoting too low to win the job — You’ll regret it halfway through
- Not following up — A quote without a follow-up is a wish
- Forgetting to include terms — Payment schedules protect both sides
- Being vague — Ambiguity breeds arguments
Tools That Help
Modern quoting tools can transform your process:
- Templates for common job types save 20+ minutes per quote
- Digital delivery via email or text (with read receipts)
- AI-powered quoting that generates quotes from voice descriptions
- Follow-up reminders so no quote falls through the cracks
The Follow-Up Formula
Sending the quote is only half the battle. Here’s the follow-up schedule that works:
- Same day: Send the quote with a brief personal message
- Day 3: Quick check-in — “Just wanted to make sure you received the quote”
- Day 7: Add value — “Happy to pop round and talk through the options”
- Day 14: Last touch — “The quote’s valid for 30 days if you’d like to go ahead”
Start Winning More Work Today
The formula is simple: respond fast, look professional, follow up consistently. Do these three things better than your competition and you’ll win more work — without dropping your prices.
