A quote (or estimate) is your pitch with a price on it. A clear, professional quote makes it easy for a client to say yes — and protects you from scope creep later. Here's what to put in one and how to present it.
Create a quote free →Quote vs invoice
A quote proposes a price before the work; an invoice requests payment after it. A good quote states the scope and a valid-until date, so both sides agree on what's included and for how long the price holds.
What a good quote includes
Cover the essentials so there's nothing to query:
- Your details and the client's
- A quote number and the date
- A valid-until date
- Line items with clear descriptions and prices
- Subtotal, any tax, and the total
- The scope of work — and what's excluded
- Payment terms
Price it with confidence
Quote the value, not just the hours. Break the work into line items so the client sees exactly what they're paying for — a single lump sum with no breakdown is harder to say yes to and easier to haggle down.
Add a valid-until date
A quote that expires nudges a decision and protects you if your costs change. Two to four weeks is common. It also gives you a natural, non-pushy reason to follow up.
Make it easy to accept
Send a clean PDF, state the next steps, and offer to answer questions. A tidy, branded quote signals you're organised and reliable — which is half the decision.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a quote and an estimate?+
They're often used interchangeably. An estimate is a rough figure that may change; a quote is a firm price. Say which you mean, and add a valid-until date either way.
Should a quote include tax?+
If you charge VAT or sales tax, show it as a separate line so the total is clear. If you're not registered for it, leave it off.
Can I turn a quote into an invoice?+
Yes — once the client accepts, reuse the same line items in an invoice to bill them.