Quoting’s not the most exciting part of the job. But do it wrong, and it’ll bite you in the backside faster than you expect.
Whether you’re a builder, roofer, chippy, or landscaper, quoting properly can be the difference between a tidy profit and working for free.
Here are the five most common quoting mistakes tradies make, plus a few simple tips on how to dodge them. If you’ve been burned before or new to the game, this one’s for you.
1. Underquoting Just to Win the Job
We’ve all done it. You’re keen to land the work, so you shave a bit off the price to stay “competitive.” But before you know it, you’re halfway through the job and realising you’ve undercooked it. Materials have gone up, labour’s taking longer, and your so-called profit? Gone.
How to avoid it:
Build in buffers, be realistic about your time, and use supplier price books to keep quotes up to date.
👉 Check out how NextMinute helps you quote accurately using supplier price books.
2. Forgetting to Include All Job Components
It’s easy to miss stuff like skip bin hire, scaffold, subbie costs, or even the post-job cleanup. But if it’s not in the quote, you’ll likely be footing the bill.
How to avoid it:
Use quote templates or import takeoffs to make sure nothing slips through the cracks.
👉 Save templates with NextMinute to knock out your next quote in minutes
3. Not Getting Formal Sign-Off
“She said it was fine over the phone” doesn’t hold up when the client starts questioning the invoice. If it’s not signed off, it’s not solid.
How to avoid it:
Send digital quotes and get approval on variations in writing (or online). No paper chasing, no dramas.
👉 NextMinute's mobile app lets you fire of quotes and variations on-site
4. Quoting Manually (Old School = Lost Time)
Still using Excel or scribbling quotes in a notepad? You’re not alone, but it’s costing you hours every week. Plus, retyping info into your schedule or invoices = double handling.
How to avoid it:
Use a proper quoting tool that links to your job schedules, timesheets, and invoicing.
👉 NextMinute connects the dots across your whole job, from quote to invoice.
5. Not Reviewing Your Actuals vs Your Quotes
If you don’t know how close your quote was to the actual cost of the job, how do you know if you made money? Most tradies just move onto the next gig without looking back and repeat the same mistakes.
How to avoid it:
Track actual job costs against your quote. Tweak your pricing over time and stop working for free.
👉 NextMinute shows you live job profitability and stage-by-stage breakdowns.
Final Thoughts
Quoting might not be your favourite part of the job, but it’s where your profit lives or dies. Get it right, and everything else flows smoother — the job, the client, the cash.
If you want to quote faster, more accurately, and with less hassle, give NextMinute a crack. Built for Aussie tradies, it’s the quoting tool that works the way you do.
Ready to stop guessing and start quoting smarter?
👉 Start your free trial with NextMinute
Check out our latest webinar on quoting and staying on budget:
