What's the Most Common Quoting Mistake Tradespeople Make?
Quoting from memory instead of from a written scope is the biggest one. Without a clear written record of what's included, it's easy to underestimate materials, forget a step, or later disagree with the customer about what was actually promised. A five-minute written scope prevents most disputes before they start.
Why Does Underquoting Happen So Often?
Underquoting usually comes from pricing based on what feels competitive rather than what the job actually costs to do properly. It's especially common with newer tradespeople trying to win work against more established competitors, and it often means working long hours for a margin that doesn't reflect the actual skill and risk involved.
What Happens When You Don't Price for Access and Site Conditions?
Two jobs that look identical on paper can take very different amounts of time depending on parking, floor level, whether there's a lift, and how much the customer's furniture or belongings are in the way. Skipping a proper site visit or phone conversation about these details before quoting is a common reason jobs run over budget.
Why Is It a Mistake to Quote Without a Written Record?
A verbal quote is hard to prove and easy for either side to misremember weeks later. Sending even a brief written summary by text or email, listing the price and what's included, protects you if a dispute comes up and makes you look more professional to the customer from the very first interaction.
Frequently Asked Questions
How detailed should a written quote be?
Detailed enough to cover the main scope, materials included, and timeline, but it doesn't need to be a formal document. A clear text or email listing these points is usually sufficient for most residential jobs.
Should I always visit a site before quoting?
For anything beyond a simple, standard job, yes. A quick site visit or video call catches access issues and site conditions that photos alone often miss.
What's the fix if I've already underquoted a job?
If the scope genuinely changed, explain the specific reason and go back to the customer before continuing. If it was simply your own pricing error, it's usually better to honour it and adjust future quotes rather than raise the price mid-job.