Building a house without a blueprint or building plan is a recipe for disaster. Likewise, creating a professional-looking quote requires careful attention to detail.

Start by choosing a quotation template that fits your business model. Include contact and business information and a date of issue, such as “Valid for 30 days.” List products or services with descriptions, quantities, product numbers and prices.
1. Use a Quotation Template giá xây nhà phần thô

A well-designed quotation template is essential for generating accurate estimates and building trust with clients. It can help you avoid mistakes such as under- or over-priced services, which can hurt your business and professional reputation. A quote template can also make your job much easier by providing a consistent format for each new project. It can save you time and effort by allowing you to quickly create a customized estimate with the click of a button.

If you’re looking for a professional quotation template, PandaDoc offers several templates that can meet your needs. You can choose the one that best suits your brand and style. Moreover, you can add your company colors to the design, which makes it more attractive and memorable for clients.

A good quotation template should include your business name and/or logo at the top of the page, which is usually left-aligned. It should also include the word “quote,” which will let your client know what the document is about. You should also include a date of issue at the bottom of the page, which is crucial since quotes are typically limited-time offers.

Another important item to include on your quote is the amount of time you expect to spend working on the project. You can either specify a flat hourly rate or provide a breakdown of labor and materials costs. You should also include any additional work that you may anticipate, such as unforeseen expenses or delays.

Although a professionally-designed quotation template can help you avoid costly mistakes, it’s still important to learn how to negotiate with your clients. This will ensure that you’re not under- or overcharging for your services, and it will give you the confidence to ask for higher prices.
2. Add a Table of Contents

A table of contents is essential to keep your document organized and help your readers navigate it. It can be as simple or as complex as you want it to be, but if you don’t include one your reader may not bother to read your document. A table of contents is like an outline for a book; it helps you stay organized and ensures your ideas flow in a logical order. It also helps you avoid writer’s block by providing you with a roadmap for what needs to be written and where it should go.

A quick way to add a table of contents is by using Word’s built-in heading styles (Heading 1, Heading 2, etc). Simply select your document’s title and apply the appropriate style to create a table of contents.

You can also use the Table of Contents button on the ribbon to create a custom table of contents. This menu option allows you to choose the level of detail you want in your table of contents, as well as whether to display your title in the list. You can even change the default text color for the TOC headers and page numbers.

When creating a table of contents, be sure to include all the lines in your sales quote. Adding a line item is easy; just hover over the area where you would like to add it and a + icon will appear. Click on this and select the type of line item you need – you can choose from either Totals or Lines Quote Section. Once the line item has been added, you can edit its description and price details.
3. Include an Explanation of Terms

Creating an itemized list of services and associated costs is one of the most important parts of a quote. This is what your prospects will pay the most attention to, so it’s critical that it’s accurate and clearly explains all of the charges involved. Make sure you include a clear and concise description of each service, as well as any applicable taxes or fees.

To do this, underline key terms. Next to each underlined term, write the name of the term plus a plus symbol and another key term next to it. Think about both the definitive and connotative meanings of each term and how they relate to one another.
4. Include a Payment Schedule

Oftentimes, a quote is an exact price that can’t be changed by a contractor, unless there’s extra work agreed upon or the scope of the job changes. However, it’s important to include a payment schedule in case there are any issues with the work, as it can help prevent disputes over money.

Start by including your company’s name, contact details and email address at the top of the page to show your professionalism. You should also state when the quote expires to demonstrate your urgency to secure a contract. It’s best to vary this timeline for each individual client, and double-check that this date aligns with conversations you’ve had with them just before sending the quotation.

Next, list your preferred payment methods, and when you want to receive payments. It’s common to include a down payment or deposit to secure a project, as well as the option to split payment amounts (e.g. half up front, half on completion). Some builders prefer to front-load their payment schedules, as this helps improve cash flow and provides them with protection in the event that an owner or bank withholds payment. In general, though, a fair payment schedule that’s linked to productivity will provide both parties with peace of mind.
5. Include a Contract

While it may seem obvious, you should always get a quote and an estimate in writing. This helps protect you if the job goes wrong. An estimate should give a ballpark idea of what the job will cost, while a quote is an offer to do the work for a specific price. Once you accept a quote, the contractor can’t charge you more than that amount unless extra work is requested or the scope of the work changes, which would be considered a variation to the contract.

When creating your quote, it’s essential to include all the standard elements, like your client’s contact information, date of the estimate, expected start date and an expiration date. It’s also important to include an itemized list of costs so that clients can see exactly what they’re paying for.

Chelsea Williams is a senior copywriter at Accelo, a service management platform that makes it easy for teams to create, customize and track professional quotes. She has more than 15 years of B2B and B2C writing experience, including blogs, eBooks, industry reports and microcopy. She’s an AWAI-certified master copywriter trained in brand storytelling and copy editing. She lives in Denver, Colorado with her husband and three dogs.