How to write a quote that wins the job
ONARA Ops · 5 min read · Updated 2 July 2026
The quote is where most jobs are won or lost. Two tradies can be equally good on the tools, but the one whose quote is clear, quick and easy to accept usually gets the work.
Here is how to put together a quote that looks professional, prices the job fairly, and makes it simple for the customer to say yes.
Quote fast, while they are still keen
Speed matters more than people think. A customer who gets a tidy quote the same day, while the problem is still fresh, is far more likely to book you than one who waits three days for a scrappy text.
You do not have to be first to the door, but being first with a clear number is a real edge. If quoting is a chore, that is exactly why jobs slip.
What every quote should include
Your business name, ABN and contact details, and the customer's details. A clear description of the work, broken into lines so it does not read as one big lump sum. Your price, and whether it includes GST. Any exclusions or assumptions, so there are no surprises later.
Add how long the quote is valid for, what deposit you need to lock it in, and how they accept. A quote that answers the customer's next three questions before they ask feels effortless to say yes to.
Price with confidence
Cover your materials, your hours at a rate that actually pays you, and a margin. Do not shave your price to win a job you will resent doing. A fair, confident number beats a cheap, hesitant one.
Itemising helps here. When a customer can see what they are paying for, price becomes about value, not just the total. It also makes it easy to offer options, a good, better, best, without redoing the whole quote.
Make it look like you
A quote on your letterhead, with your logo and tidy formatting, quietly tells the customer you run a real business. A number scribbled in a text does the opposite, no matter how good you are.
Consistent, branded quotes also make you memorable. When the customer compares three quotes, yours should be the one that looks the most sorted.
Let them accept online
The easiest quote to win is one the customer can accept with a tap, rather than having to reply, call, or print and sign. Online acceptance removes the friction at the exact moment they have decided.
ONARA Ops sends quotes customers accept online, with your branding, an expiry date, and a deposit if you want one. When one is accepted, one tap turns it into a job carrying the customer, address and details across, and from there into an invoice, without re-typing a thing.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a quote and an estimate?
A quote is a fixed price you are committing to. An estimate is your best guess, which can change. Say clearly which one you are giving so the customer knows what to expect.
How long should a quote be valid?
Commonly 14 to 30 days. Material prices move, so a validity date protects you and gently nudges the customer to decide.
Should I charge for quoting?
Most standard quotes are free. For detailed design or a long site assessment, it is reasonable to charge, just tell the customer up front.
Send quotes that win, and turn into paid work
ONARA Ops sends branded quotes customers accept online, take a deposit, then turn the quote into a job and invoice in a tap. First month free.
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