Questions to Ask Customers Before Quoting a Job as a Tradie

Quoting jobs as a tradie isn’t just about knowing your numbers – it’s about understanding your customer. The more information you have up front, the more accurate, competitive, and profitable your quotes can be.

Before you lock in prices or commit your time, here are three key questions every tradie should ask. Not only do these questions help you qualify the job, but they also save you from quoting on work that’s not the right fit for your skills or schedule.

Let’s dive in.

1. What Exactly Do You Want Done?

This may sound obvious, but too often, tradies start quoting before fully understanding the scope. A vague idea like “renovate bathroom” or “fix the deck” doesn’t tell you much. You need to know:

• What does the customer actually want – a cosmetic fix or a full overhaul?
• Are they expecting you to supply materials?
• Are there any site access issues or limitations?
• Is there a deadline?

Ask open-ended questions that encourage detail. The more you know, the better your quote reflects the actual work – and that helps you avoid surprises later.

Tip: Keep notes during the initial conversation. Even a quick jot-down on your phone can help you remember what was said and cover yourself if things change down the line.

2. What’s Your Budget and Timeline?

Some tradies avoid asking about budget, but it’s a powerful time-saver. If someone wants a full kitchen refit on a budget that barely covers flatpack cupboards, you’ll know straight away it’s not the right job for you.

Same goes for the timeline. If the client needs the job done yesterday and you’re booked out for two weeks, you can politely bow out – or, if the job is worth it, shuffle things around and prioritise it.

By understanding both the financial and time expectations, you can:

• Tailor your quote to what’s realistic
• Decide whether to quote at all
• Suggest alternatives if their expectations don’t line up with reality

This early honesty builds trust. Customers appreciate transparency – and that can lead to repeat work or referrals, even if you don’t get the first job.

3. Have You Got Any Plans, Photos or Examples?

The third question helps you visualise what’s in the customer’s head.

Ask for photos of the current setup, design inspiration, or drawings/plans if they’ve got them. If you’re quoting off the job description alone, there’s a risk of misunderstanding. But with images or a sketch, you’re both literally on the same page.

If the client isn’t sure what they want yet, they might not be ready for a detailed quote. In that case, it’s fine to give them a ballpark figure and offer to re-quote when they’ve got more clarity.

You could say:
"Happy to give you a ballpark now, and once you've finalised plans or chosen materials, I can provide a full quote."

That approach keeps you in the loop, without wasting hours on detailed pricing for a job that may never happen.

Bonus Tips for Smarter Quoting

Knowing the right questions to ask is step one – but here are a few more tricks to help you quote like a pro.

Qualify Your Leads

Not every enquiry is worth quoting. If a customer’s vague, non-committal or asking for ten different options with no clear direction, it’s OK to politely decline. Focus your energy on jobs that suit your business, your skills, and your schedule.

Don’t Delay

The faster you quote, the more likely you are to win the job. Aim to respond the same day if you can – not only will the job details be fresh in your mind, but you’ll also come across as responsive and professional.

Use Flat Rates Where Possible

If you do lots of small, similar jobs (like tap repairs, power point installs, or lawn mowing), consider creating a flat-rate list. It speeds up quoting, avoids haggling, and shows customers you know your value.

Know Your Numbers

Before quoting, make sure you’ve factored in:

• Materials (and delivery times)
• Labour (including subcontractors)
• Business costs (like insurance and tools)
• A fair profit margin

If a job looks like it’ll put pressure on your time or cash flow, think twice – even if the customer seems nice.

Why Smart Quoting Matters

Time is money. And quoting isn’t just about landing one job – it’s about building a business. The quotes you send are a reflection of how you work. Get it right, and clients will see you as organised, fair, and reliable. Get it wrong, and you risk undercharging, overpromising, or missing out entirely.

That’s why it pays to ask the right questions early – so you’re not just throwing numbers around, but making informed decisions about which jobs to chase and which to let go.

Quoting smart starts with finding the right leads. Thousands of homeowners and businesses use ServiceSeeking.com.au every day to find tradies they can trust.

By listing your business, you’ll get access to targeted job requests, complete with customer details – so you can start the quoting process with the right information up front.

Less guesswork. More work.

Ready to quote smarter?
Join ServiceSeeking.com.au today and grow your business with better leads.