TRADE REALITY CHECK
What does a “free quote” really cost?
A quote might be free for the customer, but it still takes your time. Add the site visit, travel and writing it up and you can see what each quote is really costing before you’ve won the job.
Your reality check
If your win rate improved to 1 in 2, the unsuccessful quoting cost behind each won job would fall from about £97 to £48.
These figures include the value you put on your own working time — they aren't all cash costs.
A free tool from SmartTradie — the app that turns a voice note into a quote you can send before you leave the job.
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 quotes can still be the right way to win work. The useful bit is knowing what they cost you.
If a lot of time is going into quotes that never had much chance of becoming jobs, it may be worth qualifying some enquiries first with a phone call, photos or WhatsApp before driving out.
This is a simple business sense-check using your own figures, not accounting or tax advice.