How Carpenters Can Quote Smarter, Not Harder
If quoting feels like it eats every spare evening, you’re not alone. Many carpenters spend more time than they need to on quotes—and still end up underpricing or missing out on jobs. The good news? A few simple changes can make your quoting faster, more accurate, and more profitable.
Here’s how.
1. Track your real job costs
If you’re guessing based on memory, you’ll either underquote and lose money, or overquote and lose the job.
The fix: Track every job—labour, materials, travel, and overheads. Use this data to guide your future quotes so you know exactly what a job should cost.
2. Standardise your process
Starting every quote from scratch wastes time and increases the chance of forgetting details.
The fix: Create templates for your most common job types. Pre-fill line items, materials, and standard allowances so you only adjust the parts that change.
3. include allowances for variations
Unexpected changes can destroy your margins if they’re not factored in from the start.
The fix: Build in an allowance for variations in your quotes. Clearly outline what’s included and what counts as extra so there are no surprises.
4. Pre-qualify your clients
Not every lead is worth quoting. If the budget, timing, or job type isn’t a fit, you’re wasting hours.
The fix: Have a quick phone chat or email checklist to qualify jobs before visiting. Ask about budget, location, and timeline upfront.
5. Use tech to speed it up
Quoting software can reduce your quoting time by half—and help you track profitability at the same time.
The fix: Look for tools that integrate with your invoicing and project management so everything is in one place.
bottom line:
Quoting doesn’t have to be a time drain. With the right process, you’ll spend less time on paperwork and more time on the jobs that pay well.
Want to see where your quoting process is slowing you down? Take the free business check—it’s a 5-minute quiz that shows you exactly what to fix first.