Free Business Quote Generator

An online work quote generator—also called a quote maker—is a digital tool that helps small businesses, freelancers, contractors and blue collar pros quickly create and send detailed quotes for projects. These tools are especially useful for service-based industries like construction, cleaning, plumbing, landscaping, or freelance work.

They typically include:

• Custom job templates: for different services or projects.

• Pre-filled client and job info: to save time.

• Automatic pricing: for labor, materials, or hourly rates.

• Instant PDF export or email sharing.

Job quoting is the process of creating a detailed work quote for a service or project before any work begins. It involves calculating the costs of labor, materials, time, and other related expenses, then presenting this information to a client in the form of a written quote. The purpose of a job quote is to give the customer a clear understanding of what the work will involve, how much it will cost, and under what terms the work will be completed.

Work quoting is commonly used in service-based industries such as construction, home improvement, plumbing, electrical work, cleaning, landscaping, consulting, and freelancing. It helps both the service provider and the client stay aligned on expectations—reducing misunderstandings and building trust.

1. Add your business details: Start with your business name, logo, address, phone number, email, and any license or tax ID. This helps your quote look professional and legally sound.

2. Include client information: Add your client’s full name, business name (if applicable), address, and contact details. This ensures the quote is personalized and properly addressed.

3. Describe the work or services: List exactly what you’re quoting for. Break down the tasks, services, or deliverables in simple, clear language. Be as specific as possible to avoid misunderstandings later.

4. Add Pricing and Totals:

Include:

• Quantity or hours
• Unit price (per hour, item, or service)
• Subtotals
• Discounts (optional)
• Taxes (if applicable)

5. Set the quote expiry date: Add a validity period (e.g., “This quote is valid for 14 days”) to encourage faster decisions and protect you from unexpected cost changes.

6. Include payment terms: Mention when and how you expect to be paid—upfront deposit, milestones, or full payment after completion. Include accepted payment methods (e.g., bank transfer, card, cash).

7. Add notes or special terms (if needed): Include any important notes about warranties, timelines, material lead times, or disclaimers. This is your chance to clarify expectations.

8. Review, Send, and Track: Double-check your math and wording, then send the quote by email or as a downloadable PDF. If you use a quote generator like Invoice Fly, you can send, track, and convert quotes to invoices—all from one place.

An estimate is a rough calculation of how much a job or project might cost, based on the information available at the time. It’s not a fixed price and can change as the project details become clearer or if unexpected costs arise. Estimates are useful early in the planning process when things aren’t finalized yet.

In contrast, a quote is a formal offer that provides a specific, fixed price for the work based on detailed information. Once a quote is accepted by the client, it usually becomes a binding agreement, meaning the price won’t change unless both parties agree. While estimates give clients a ballpark figure, quotes offer a more definite and reliable cost that helps move the project forward with confidence.

An invoice and a quote serve different purposes in the business process. A quote is a document you send to a potential client before work begins, outlining the estimated cost and details of a job or service. It helps the client decide whether to accept the offer and move forward.

On the other hand, an invoice is sent after the work is completed or a milestone is reached—it’s a formal request for payment based on the agreed price.

While a quote is about proposing and getting approval, an invoice is about collecting the money owed. In short, a quote is an offer, and an invoice is a bill.

RELATED ARTICLE: Invoice vs. Quote: What’s the Difference?

1. Fixed-Price Quote: a set price for the entire job, regardless of time or materials used.

2. Time and Materials Quote: charges based on actual hours worked plus the cost of materials.

3. Cost-Plus Quote: you charge the actual costs plus a percentage markup for profit.

4. Unit Pricing Quote: pricing broken down by individual units, tasks, or deliverables.

5. Preliminary Estimate: an early, rough estimate to give the client a ballpark figure before details are finalized.

6. Detailed Quote: a comprehensive quote with itemized costs and specific terms, usually used for larger or complex jobs.

Yes, our online job quote maker offers 3 main currencies:

• USD($)
• EUR(€)
• GBP(£)

Yes, Invoice Fly’s quote generator is safe to use.

It’s built on secure infrastructure, adheres to industry-standard encryption, and is well-regarded by independent reviewers—providing peace of mind for freelancers, small businesses, and contractors.

In most cases, you should not have to pay to receive a quote, especially for common services like home repairs, freelance work, or small business jobs. A quote is typically free, as it’s part of a business’s effort to win your job by showing you the expected costs upfront.

Quotes are free when:

• Home services (plumbing, painting, HVAC, etc.).
• Freelance or creative work (design, writing, development).
• Product or service-based businesses (cleaning, landscaping, catering).

You might pay for a quote when:

• If the quote requires a detailed site visit, technical drawings, or custom planning (like architectural work, engineering, legal consulting).
• If it’s bundled into a paid consultation fee, sometimes later applied as a credit if you accept the offer.
• If the service provider has limited availability or high demand and uses quoting as a way to filter serious clients.