5 Quoting Mistakes Costing UK Tradesmen Thousands in 2026

Every year, thousands of UK tradesmen leave money on the table — not because they're bad at their trade, but because they're making avoidable mistakes when quoting jobs. According to the Federation of Master Builders, poor quoting is one of the top three reasons trade businesses fail in their first five years.

Here are the five mistakes we see most often, and how to stop making them.

1. Guessing Material Prices Instead of Checking Them

This is the big one. You've done a similar job before, so you estimate the cost of materials from memory. But material prices have shifted significantly since 2024 — timber is up 15%, copper pipe has fluctuated wildly, and even basic fixings have crept up.

The fix: Always check current prices before quoting. Tools like QuoteCraft AI pull live pricing from major UK suppliers like Travis Perkins, Screwfix, and Toolstation so you're never working from outdated numbers.

2. Forgetting to Account for Your Region

A plumber in London should be charging very differently to one in Newcastle. The cost of living difference means your labour rate needs adjusting — but most tradesmen use the same flat rate everywhere.

UK regional labour multipliers vary significantly:

• •London: 35% above the national average
• •South East: 15% above
• •North East: 12% below
• •Wales: 12% below

The fix: Build regional pricing into every quote. Your rate should reflect where you're working, not just what you'd like to earn.

3. Underestimating Labour Time

"It'll take two days" turns into four. We've all been there. Underestimating labour is the single biggest margin killer, because once you've quoted a fixed price, those extra days come straight out of your pocket.

The fix: Be honest about timelines. Add a 15-20% buffer for unexpected complications. If the job comes in under time, great — you've earned a better margin. If it runs over, you're protected.

4. Not Including a Profit Margin

Many sole traders calculate their costs (materials + labour) and quote that number. But that's your break-even point, not your profit. You need to add margin on top — typically 15-25% depending on the trade and complexity.

The fix: Always add your target margin as a separate calculation. If your costs are £2,000, a 20% margin means quoting £2,400, not £2,000. That extra £400 is what actually grows your business.

5. Sending Sloppy Quotes That Don't Convert

A handwritten quote on the back of a receipt doesn't exactly scream "professional." Customers are increasingly comparing multiple quotes, and the one that looks most professional often wins — even if it's not the cheapest.

The fix: Send itemised, branded PDF quotes that break down exactly what the customer is getting. It builds trust, reduces follow-up questions, and dramatically improves your conversion rate.

The Bottom Line

Quoting isn't just admin — it's one of the most important skills in running a trade business. Get it right and you protect your margins, win more work, and spend less time chasing payments. Get it wrong and you're essentially working for free.

That's exactly why we built QuoteCraft AI. Describe the job in plain English, and get an accurate, itemised quote with real UK material prices in under 60 seconds. No spreadsheets, no guesswork, no evenings lost to paperwork.

Ready to quote smarter? Try QuoteCraft AI free — no credit card required.