10 Common Quotation Mistakes That Lose Work

Most lost quotations aren't lost on price alone. Small errors make a business look careless, or leave clients with too many unanswered questions. Check for these before sending.

The mistakes

1. Vague descriptions. "Painting work" gives no idea what is included. List rooms, coats and materials.
2. One lump sum. A single figure invites suspicion and comparison on price alone. Itemise the main parts.
3. No validity date. You could be held to an old price when your costs have risen.
4. Missing exclusions. If you don't state what's left out, the client will assume it's included.
5. Wrong names. A misspelled company name suggests you'll be careless with the work too.
6. Arithmetic errors. Manual sums go wrong, and errors damage trust even when they favour the client.
7. Tax confusion. Always say whether the price includes tax.
8. Sending it too late. A client's interest fades. A prompt quotation often beats a slightly cheaper late one.
9. No clear next step. Tell the client how to accept: "Reply to this message to confirm, and we'll book your start date."
10. Never following up. Silence often just means the client is busy. See how to follow up.

A 60-second check

Before sending, ask these:

• Are the client's name and contact details correct?
• Can they tell what's included and what isn't?
• Do the totals add up?
• Is there a validity date and a next step?

Improve from experience

When you lose a job, politely ask why. A single honest answer can improve every quotation you send afterwards.

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