Quoting is Hard. Here Are Some No-Brainers.

Quoting is a really difficult thing to get right. It’s part art, part science. Whole volumes have been written about crafting great quotes.

Some parts of quoting are easy though, once you get the hang of it. Here are the top 5 things we wish we’d done for every quote we’ve ever sent:

1. Always ask for a deposit
   This is critical, especially for new clients. Getting a part payment up front shows you that the client is committed to the project and has the means to pay for it. A reasonable amount to ask for is 25% to 50%. Don’t start work until you’ve received the money.
   
2. Specify how you’ll tackle out-of-scope requests
   It’s rare that a quote is exactly right, or that the client doesn’t change their requirements while you’re on the job. When this happens, it’s better for both you and them if you’ve specified up front how these changes will impact the timeframe and cost of the project.
   
3. Include your payment terms, up front
   Do you expect payment in 2 weeks, a month, or 60 days? Will you bill hourly for future work? Will there be any ongoing costs? Let the client know up front so that they’re on the same page as you.
   
4. Specify what you need from the client before you can get started
   Do you need assets from the client? For them to be available on certain dates, or to provide timely feedback? It’s a drag for everybody when projects blow out because you weren’t clear about who was responsible for what, and when.
   
5. Include an ‘expiry’ date
   You might be able to do the work in a week this month, or for $3000 starting today, but what about next month? How about in 6 months? Don’t get tied down to a particular timeframe or cost based on your current availability. It’s ok to be flexible with how long your quote is valid for; this is mostly to give you leverage if a client comes back next year and expects you to be available or charging the same rates.

What are your ‘no brainers’ for quoting? Tweet them to @paydirtapp.