Day 9 of 20 · AI for Trades
Writing Quotes That Close
⏱ 7 min
📊 Beginner
Yesterday you learned how to respond fast. Today you learn how to respond well. A quick reply gets your foot in the door, but the quote is what closes the deal. Most tradespeople lose jobs not because their price is wrong, but because their quote is a mess — or worse, it is just a number scribbled on the back of a text message.
A professional, clearly laid out quote does three things: it builds trust, it justifies your price, and it makes it easy for the customer to say yes. AI can help you produce these in minutes, not hours.
Why Itemised Quotes Win
Think about the last time you got a quote for something — maybe a car repair or a kitchen appliance. If someone just said "that'll be 800 quid" with no breakdown, you would feel uneasy. You would wonder what you are actually paying for. Your customers feel the same way.
Itemised quotes build trust. When a homeowner can see the cost of materials, the cost of labour, and what each line item covers, they feel in control. They understand where their money is going. Even if your total is higher than a competitor, a detailed breakdown often wins because it looks professional and transparent.
Here is what a strong quote should include:
- Job summary — a clear description of the work in plain English
- Itemised costs — materials and labour broken out line by line
- Timeline — when you can start and how long it will take
- What is included — so there are no surprises
- What is not included — this protects you from scope creep
- Payment terms — when payment is due and accepted methods
- Validity period — how long the quote stands (usually 14-30 days)
Using AI to Generate Quotes From Job Descriptions
Here is the powerful part. When a lead comes in on RatedPeople, Thumbtack, hipages, or Angi, the job description is already written for you. The customer has described what they want. You can feed that description straight into AI and get a structured quote back in seconds.
You will still need to adjust the numbers based on your actual costs and margins. AI does not know the price of copper pipe in your area or what you charge per day. But it handles the structure, the professional language, the terms, and the formatting — the parts that take time and that most tradespeople skip entirely.
The result? You send a quote that looks like it came from a company turning over millions, when really it came from you and your phone in the car park of Screwfix.
A customer on RatedPeople wants a full bathroom renovation. They said: "Want to rip out old bathroom suite and replace with new. Room is about 2m x 3m. Want walk-in shower, new toilet, new basin, tiling on all walls. Budget around £5-6k." Can you write me a professional itemised quote? I'm a bathroom fitter in Leeds.
**QUOTATION**
**From:** [Your Name] — Bathroom Installations, Leeds
**To:** [Customer Name]
**Date:** [Date]
**Quote Ref:** BF-2024-[XXX]
**Valid for:** 30 days
---
**Job Summary:**
Full bathroom renovation including removal of existing suite and installation of new walk-in shower, toilet, basin, and full wall tiling. Room size approximately 2m x 3m.
---
**Cost Breakdown:**
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Strip out & disposal of existing suite | £400 |
| Walk-in shower enclosure + tray (supply & fit) | £1,200 |
| Toilet — close coupled (supply & fit) | £350 |
| Basin & vanity unit (supply & fit) | £400 |
| Wall tiling — all walls, approx 30m² (supply & fit) | £1,500 |
| Plumbing — pipework & connections | £600 |
| Electrical — shower feed & extractor fan | £350 |
| Waterproofing & tanking | £250 |
| Finishing — silicone, trims, accessories | £150 |
**Total: £5,200 (inc. VAT if applicable)**
---
**Timeline:** 5-7 working days | Available to start within 2 weeks
**Included:** All materials, labour, waste removal, final clean
**Not included:** Decoration outside bathroom, underfloor heating, relocating existing pipework routes
**Payment:** 20% deposit on acceptance, balance on completion
---
Happy to arrange a quick site visit to confirm everything. Just let me know a good time.
↻ Replay conversation
Making It Your Own
That AI-generated quote is a solid starting point. Now you make it yours. Swap in your actual prices, add your business name, adjust the timeline based on your diary. The point is that AI gave you the structure and professional language in seconds.
A few tips to make your quotes stand out:
Personalise the opening. Instead of a cold "Quotation" header, add a line like: "Thanks for getting in touch about your bathroom project, Sarah. I've had a look at what you need and put together the following for you."
Be specific about materials. If you know the brand or range of tiles, shower unit, or toilet, name them. It shows you have actually thought about the job, not just plugged in generic numbers.
Include a photo or two. If you have done a similar bathroom before, attach a photo. Nothing sells like proof of your work.
End with a clear call to action. "If you are happy with this, just reply and I will get you booked in" is far better than leaving the customer wondering what to do next.
Knowledge Check
What is the main advantage of an itemised quote over a single lump sum price?
A
It builds trust by showing the customer exactly what they are paying for
B
It makes your price look cheaper
C
It lets you hide extra charges
D
It takes longer so the customer thinks you worked harder
Itemised quotes build trust and transparency. When customers can see each cost line, they understand the value and feel confident about where their money is going.
Knowledge Check
When using AI to generate a quote from a job description, what should you always do before sending it?
A
Delete the itemised breakdown and just send the total
B
Remove the terms and conditions to keep it simple
C
Adjust the prices to reflect your actual costs and margins
D
Send it exactly as AI wrote it — it knows best
AI handles the structure and language, but you need to plug in your real-world prices. AI does not know your local material costs or your day rate.
A well-structured quote does the selling for you. Every section builds confidence and makes it easy for the customer to say yes.
Knowledge Check
Which of these should be included in a professional trade quote?
A
A full autobiography of your career history
B
Only the total price and your phone number
C
Job summary, itemised costs, timeline, inclusions/exclusions, and payment terms
D
Just a text message saying "I can do it for 5k"
A professional quote covers all the key information a customer needs to make a decision: what the work involves, what it costs, how long it takes, what is and is not included, and how to pay.
Knowledge Check
What is one effective way to make an AI-generated quote feel more personal?
A
Make it as long as possible so it looks thorough
B
Remove all formatting and send it as a plain text block
C
Add a friendly opening line that mentions the customer's name and their specific project
D
Change the font to Comic Sans
Personalising the opening with the customer's name and a reference to their specific project makes the quote feel tailored, not templated. Small touches like this build rapport.
🔧
Day 9 Complete
"A clear, itemised quote does not just tell customers the price — it tells them why you are worth it."
Tomorrow — Day 10
Handling Customer Questions
Customers will push back on price, timeline, and why they should choose you. Learn how AI helps you respond to every objection like a pro.