Trade Reality Check
What does a “free quote” really cost?
A quote might be free for the customer, but it still has a cost to your business once you include the site visit, travel and time spent writing it up. Put in your own numbers to see what each quote really costs before you’ve won the job.
Your reality check
£48
is what one “free” quote costs your business in time and travel.
These figures include the value you put on your own working time — they aren't all cash costs.
A free tool from SmartTradie
How the calculator works
It values the time you spend travelling to, looking at and writing up quotes using the hourly figure you enter, then adds any direct travel or parking cost. Your win rate is used to show how much quoting time and travel sits behind each job you actually win.
Why it is worth knowing
Free quoting can still be the right way to win work. This simply helps you see how much time and cost is tied up in the process, so you can make better decisions about which enquiries are worth visiting and how quickly you get quotes sent.
This is a simple business sense-check using your own figures, not accounting or tax advice.