5 Quoting Mistakes That Cost Tradies Thousands

The cost of bad quoting

Every tradie has a story about a job that ended up costing more than they quoted. Sometimes it is a learning experience. But when the same mistakes keep happening, it becomes a pattern that costs real money.

Here are five of the most common quoting mistakes — and how to fix them.

1. Forgetting travel time

You are not just selling your time on-site. Getting to and from the job, loading the van, and picking up materials all cost money. Many tradies quote only for the work itself and absorb hours of unpaid travel.

Build travel time into every quote. Whether you charge it as a separate line item or factor it into your hourly rate, make sure it is covered.

2. Underestimating materials

Material costs are one of the biggest variables in any job. Using last year's prices, forgetting consumables like screws, tape, and silicone, or not accounting for waste can all blow your margin.

Always use current supplier pricing and add a buffer for waste and unexpected requirements.

3. Not quoting for the unexpected

Every experienced tradie knows that jobs rarely go exactly to plan. You open a wall and find asbestos. You start plumbing and discover galvanised pipes that need replacing. The quote should account for this reality.

Include a contingency allowance or clearly state in your terms what is and is not included. This protects both you and the client.

4. Sending quotes too slowly

The first tradie to send a professional quote often wins the job. If you are spending days putting together quotes on your laptop at night, you are losing work to competitors who respond faster.

Use quoting tools that let you create and send professional quotes from the job site. Voice-to-quote technology can help you quote on the spot.

5. Not following up

A quote sent is not a job won. Many clients need a gentle follow-up to make a decision. If you send a quote and never follow up, you are leaving money on the table.

Set reminders to follow up on outstanding quotes after 48 hours, then weekly. Most quoting apps can automate this for you.

The bottom line

Good quoting is a skill that directly impacts your bottom line. Take the time to build systems that prevent these common errors, and you will see the difference in your bank account.