How quoting works
Four ways to quote — so trades can price honestly
Fixed price, estimate range, unit rate or site visit required. Every quote states its basis, so you never compare a firm price against an unqualified guess.
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Quote types
What each pricing basis means
Used the way Australian residential builders and trade businesses actually use them.
Fixed price
Scope is defined and the drawings are issued for construction.
The trade commits to a single price for the described work, subject to the assumptions and exclusions they state. Movement afterwards comes through variations, so the brief has to be right.
Watch for: Read the exclusions before you compare it to anything else.
Estimate range
Documentation isn't final, or selections are still open.
The trade prices a band — say $18,000 to $24,000 — and lists the variables that move it. Useful for feasibility and early budgeting, not for contract.
Watch for: Ask what converts it to a fixed price, and when.
Unit rate
The work is measurable but quantities aren't confirmed.
Priced per square metre, per lineal metre, per point, per fixture or per day, with quantities taken from the schedule or measured on site. Common in tiling, painting, waterproofing, concreting and electrical.
Watch for: Confirm the minimum charge and what preparation is included in the rate.
Site visit required
Existing conditions, access or services can't be assessed from the plans.
The trade proposes a visit window rather than pricing blind, then converts to a fixed price or unit rate once they've seen the job.
Watch for: Set the visit deadline in the brief so it doesn't stall the quote round.
The eight fields
Every quote comes back in the same shape
That's what makes side-by-side comparison possible. Builder Pro can also flag prices worth a closer look, without making the award decision.
Quote amount
Stated GST inclusive so nothing is compared apples to oranges.
Pricing basis
Fixed price, estimate range, unit rate or site visit required.
Labour or supply
Labour only, or labour plus materials — stated explicitly.
Start date
When the trade can realistically get on site.
Duration
How long the works take once started.
Assumptions
What the trade has assumed to arrive at the number.
Exclusions
What is not in the price — the usual source of variations.
Verification
Licence and insurance status shown beside the price.
Quote comparison
Level every quote in one view
Not an inbox of PDFs. Compare price, timing, pricing basis, assumptions, exclusions and verification status side by side — then shortlist, request a revision or award.
| Tradie | Quote | Start · duration | Basis | Exclusions | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coastline ConcretingVerified | $48,900 | 3 Sep · 3 weeks | Labour + materials | Excl. pump hire | Shortlisted |
| Ridgeway CivilVerified | $51,400 | 27 Aug · 2.5 weeks | Labour + materials | Excl. site cut | Viewed |
| Northline FormworkUnverified | $44,250 | 12 Sep · 4 weeks | Labour only | Excl. mesh & reo | Revision requested |
Illustrative example of the builder comparison view.
Structured quoting
Present like the professional you are
BuilderTrade quotes aren’t a number in a text message. Price from the real scope and drawings, state what you’ve assumed and excluded, and give the builder a response they can compare fairly against everyone else’s.
Your quote includes
- Quote amount (GST inclusive)
- Pricing basis — labour only or labour + materials
- Estimated start date
- Estimated duration
- Assumptions you've priced on
- Exclusions, stated up front
- Message and clarifications
- Verified licence and insurance shown with the quote
Common questions
Quoting questions builders and trades ask
What's the difference between a quote and an estimate in Australian construction?
A quote is a firm offer to do defined work for a stated price. An estimate is a considered opinion of likely cost that can move as the scope firms up. On BuilderTrade every submission states its basis, so a fixed price is never silently compared against an estimate range.
How do builders compare trade quotes fairly?
Compare on the same fields: amount, pricing basis, labour or supply, start date, duration, assumptions and exclusions. Two prices are only comparable when both trades priced the same scope from the same drawings — which is why the brief and attachments matter more than the number.
What is a unit rate quote?
A unit rate prices the work per unit of measure — per square metre, lineal metre, point, fixture or day — with the quantity confirmed from the schedule or on site. It suits measurable work where final quantities aren't locked in, and it keeps the pricing transparent if the scope grows.
Should a trade charge for a site visit before quoting?
That's between the builder and the trade. On BuilderTrade the trade flags 'site visit required' and proposes a window, so the builder knows a price is coming after inspection rather than assuming the quote has gone quiet.
How do you reduce variations on a construction job?
Most variations start as a missing detail at quote stage. Attach the plans, specification and site photos, state the site access and program, and require every trade to list their assumptions and exclusions. The clearer the input, the closer the accepted quote is to the final invoice.
Does BuilderTrade charge commission on awarded work?
No. Builders post projects free and trades pay a flat subscription. There is no pay-per-lead and no commission on any job won through the platform.
Can a builder ask a trade to revise a quote?
Yes. Builders can request a revision with a due date, and the trade resubmits against the same job. Every version is kept, so the history of what was quoted and changed stays on the record.
See it on a real job
Download the sample project brief and sample quote, or post your first project and watch the quotes land in one format.