Introduction
A good trade quote doesn't need to be complicated. It should help a customer understand the job before they decide to go ahead.
A clear quote tells them:
- What work is being completed
- What it will cost
- What's included
- What's excluded
- What happens if they accept
What should a trade quote contain?
Keep the important details together so the customer can identify your business, check the work and understand the price. Before sending a quote, check that it includes:
- Business name, ABN where applicable and contact details
- Customer details and job address
- Quote number, quote date and quote expiry
- A clear scope of work
- Labour and materials where appropriate
- Total price and GST where applicable
- Inclusions and exclusions
- Payment terms, including any deposit or progress payments
- How variations will be discussed and agreed
- A clear acceptance method
Make the total and GST treatment easy to find. The completed example below assumes a GST-registered business making a taxable sale; GST may not apply to your own quote. Check the Australian Government’s GST guidance if you are unsure.
Example scope of work
A short description like Fence repair — $3,500 leaves plenty of questions. How much fence? Which materials? Does it include disposal?
Compare it with:
Remove and dispose of the existing 12 metres of timber fencing. Supply and install replacement treated pine fencing along the existing boundary, including posts, rails, palings, fixings and site clean-up.
The second version identifies the quantity, material, location and included tasks. That gives the customer more certainty and gives you a shared reference if the job changes.
Example tradie quote
This fictional example demonstrates the layout. The business, customer, ABN, dates and prices are illustrative only; they are not verified business details or suggested market rates.
Greenline Carpentry
ABN: 12 345 678 901
Quote: Q-1048
Customer: Sarah Mitchell
Job: Rear deck repairs
Scope
Remove damaged decking boards from the rear outdoor deck. Supply and install replacement treated pine boards to affected areas, replace damaged fixings and remove associated waste from site.
Price
Labour: $720
Materials: $460
Waste and consumables: $90
Subtotal: $1,270
GST: $127
Total: $1,397
These figures are examples only. Your quote should use the costs, quantities and tax treatment of your actual job.
Exclusions
Repairs to structural framing that cannot be identified until existing decking is removed are excluded. Any additional repairs will be discussed before work proceeds.
Valid until: 30 November 2026
Payment: Balance due following completion of the quoted works.
Should labour and materials be shown separately?
There isn't necessarily one correct approach. Some businesses itemise labour and materials so the customer can see the main parts of the price. Others calculate those costs internally and provide a complete job price.
Choose a format that suits the job and makes the offer clear. Regardless of what the customer sees, you should understand the hours, materials and other costs behind your total.
For a closer look at those calculations, read How Much Should Tradies Charge for Labour? and How to Mark Up Materials on a Trade Quote.
Quote vs estimate
A quote sets out a defined scope, price and terms. An estimate is an informed indication when the final scope or cost is still uncertain. Label the document clearly and explain any assumptions before the customer agrees.
Read Quote vs Estimate: What's the Difference for Tradies? for a practical guide to choosing the right document.
Common quoting mistakes
A neat document cannot fix a price that misses the real work. Check for these common gaps:
- Underestimating labour
- Forgetting supplier trips
- Missing small consumables
- Forgetting waste disposal
- Ignoring travel
- Not accounting for business overheads
- Using a vague scope
- Missing exclusions
- Leaving out a quote expiry
The customer-facing quote can be simple while your internal calculation is thorough. See 10 Costs Tradies Forget When Quoting Jobs for costs worth checking before you send.
A template is a good starting point
Word and PDF templates are useful when you need a clear format for an occasional job. As you quote more often, copying customer details, scope and prices between documents, checking calculations and tracking each version can take more time.
Start with the Free Tradie Quote Template and adapt it to your work.
When you want a proper quoting system, Jirvo helps you bring professional quotes and an organised quoting process together in one place. It is a practical next step when rebuilding documents starts getting in the way of the job.