Quoting software for builders
TradeKwote helps UK builders turn site notes into a clear, professional quote in about 60 seconds, from a garden wall to an extension. You set every price; TradeKwote writes the scope of work so the customer knows exactly what's included.
On building jobs, most disputes start with the quote. The customer assumed something was included; the builder assumed it wasn't. A quote that spells out the stages, the exclusions and the payment terms protects you as much as it sells the job.
What a good building quote includes
- A scope of work written in stages, for example groundworks, walls up to wall plate, roof, first fix, plastering and second fix.
- Labour, materials and plant hire, as separate lines or a fixed price per stage.
- Provisional sums for anything you can't price yet, such as a kitchen the customer hasn't chosen, clearly marked as estimates.
- Exclusions, such as decorating, floor finishes, planning or building control fees, and the structural engineer.
- Skips and waste removal.
- A payment schedule, such as a deposit and stage payments, and how long the price is valid for.
How builders usually price work
Most building work is priced per job after a site visit, built up from labour days, materials, plant and subcontractors, with a margin on top. Larger jobs are normally paid in stages, so the customer isn't paying for work that hasn't happened and you're not funding the whole job.
Material prices move, so a clear validity period, often 30 days, stops an old quote coming back to bite you.
Regulations worth mentioning
- Many projects need Building Regulations approval, and some need planning permission. Say on the quote who is responsible for applying and paying the fees.
- Work on or near a shared wall may need notices under the Party Wall etc. Act 1996.
- If you work for other contractors, the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) and the VAT domestic reverse charge may apply. The reverse charge doesn't apply to work for homeowners.
- Membership of a trade body such as the Federation of Master Builders is worth showing if you have it.
How TradeKwote helps builders
- Dictate your site notes as you walk round, and TradeKwote turns them into a structured scope of work.
- You enter each line item and its price. The AI tidies the wording but never adds items or changes your figures.
- Add up to 5 site photos so the scope describes the actual job.
- Ask for a deposit as a percentage or fixed amount, and set payment terms.
- VAT is handled: not registered, standard 20%, or the domestic reverse charge for CIS work.
- On Pro, accepted quotes become a deposit invoice and a final balance invoice, and unanswered quotes are followed up automatically.
- Add notes to the customer, such as exclusions and access arrangements, so they're on the quote in writing.
Example
Job note: Single-storey rear extension, 4m x 3m, flat roof, bifolds. Customer supplying kitchen. Your lines: groundworks, shell, roof, first and second fix, plastering, each with your price.
A staged scope of work with your prices, clear exclusions, a deposit and VAT, ready to send while it's fresh.