Knowing how to quote a job comes down to two things. A good quote tells the customer what they are paying for, and it protects you if the job grows while the price stays put.
Start with the scope
Before any number, get clear on the job. Visit if you need to. Measure, take photos and ask what the customer expects: the finish, the timing, the access.
Write down what you assumed, such as access, the condition of the surfaces and who supplies what. Then there is nothing to argue about later.
Work out your costs
Add up everything the job costs you before profit.
- Labour. The hours the job takes, at an hourly rate that covers wages, tools, vehicle and insurance. Include travel and quoting time if you do not charge for them.
- Materials. Use current supplier prices and allow for waste and a second trip.
- Other costs. Hire gear, permits, tip fees and subcontractors.
Add profit and a buffer, then GST
Add an amount on top of costs for profit. It also pays for the surprises: wet weather, hidden damage, a delayed delivery. A quote with nothing on top turns every surprise into your loss.
If you are registered for GST, add 10% to the price and show the GST amount. If you are not registered, do not add GST. Not sure whether you must be? See our ABN and GST guide.
A job quote example
Say you are quoting to paint two bedrooms. The sums might look like this.
- Labour: 24 hours at $60 an hour = $1,440
- Paint and materials: $320
- Travel and consumables: $80
- Costs: $1,840
- Profit and buffer, 15% on costs: $276
- Price before GST: $2,116
- GST at 10%: $211.60
- Total to quote: $2,327.60
The 15% is a markup on costs. As a share of the price before GST, it is about 13%. Know which one you are aiming for.
The customer needs the scope and the total. Show the breakdown only when the job is large or they ask for it. If you want a round number, round the price before GST, then add GST.
What to include in a job quote
- Who you are. Business name, ABN, phone and email. Add your licence number if your state requires it.
- Who it is for. The customer's name and the job address.
- The work. A short, plain description of what you will do.
- What is included, and what is not. Say it in words, such as "does not include repairs to damaged plaster".
- The price. With the GST amount shown if you are registered, and whether it is fixed or an estimate.
- How long the price stands. Costs move, so give an end date, such as 30 days.
- Payment terms. Any deposit, when invoices fall due, and how to pay.
- Timing. Your likely start date and how long the job takes.
- Changes. How extra work is priced and agreed before you do it.
Licensing and contract rules for building work differ by state and territory. Check with your state or territory regulator before you rely on a template.
Fixed price or estimate?
Say which one it is. A fixed price is a promise. An estimate is your best guess, and the customer should know it can move and by roughly how much.
Business.gov.au says businesses must give truthful information about their goods and services, and that contracts must be easy to understand and free of hidden fees. A plain quote helps you stay on the right side of that.
Send it quickly, then follow up
A quote that is clear and arrives quickly is easier to say yes to.
If you hear nothing, follow up once after two or three days. Keep it short: "Hi [name], I wanted to check you received the quote for [job]. Happy to answer any questions."
Make it look like your business
Use the same business name, logo and phone number as your website and Google profile. A customer who checks you out after reading the quote should find the same business. Our post on making your ad, site and profile match shows how.
Common mistakes
- Pricing only the labour. Travel, waste and consumables still cost you.
- A vague scope. "Supply and install" means different things to different people.
- No end date. A price with no expiry can come back months later.
- No payment terms. Say when you are paid before you start.
- Guessing without looking. If you have not seen the job, say that the price assumes the access and condition you were told about.
This is general information, not legal or financial advice.
Sources
- Australian Consumer Law and your businessBusiness.gov.au. Checked 16 October 2026.
- Registering for GSTAustralian Taxation Office. Checked 16 October 2026.
The quote is the second half of winning a job. The first half is the enquiry, which our local SEO service helps with.