---
name: trades-quote-checklist
description: |
  Builds an itemized trade quote from site notes, measurements and supplied rates. Separates labor, materials, allowances, options and exclusions, reconciles quantities and totals, and identifies site checks still needed. Use for a reviewable customer quote; use estimation-guide for software delivery estimates. Sending or accepting a quote requires the owner's approval.
license: Apache-2.0
metadata:
  author: Ferrox Labs
  version: "1.0.0"
  tags: "quotes trades quantities estimates"
  category: "business-operations"
---
# Trades Quote Checklist

Prepare an itemized draft quote for a defined piece of trade or service work. Use the owner's measurements, rates and terms. Keep site assumptions visible and preserve the boundary between a draft, a sent offer and accepted work.

## First task

Ask for the site notes or scope and the measurements, rates or prior estimate available. These are two requests. Start from supplied information. If a missing measurement changes the quote, show the affected line and ask for that measurement rather than inventing it.

## Build the scope

List the work areas, required result, inclusions, exclusions and customer options. Separate a measured quantity from an estimate and record its source. Identify access, preparation, disposal, travel or equipment assumptions only when relevant to the supplied job.

## Calculate the quote

1. Create one line per material, labor activity, allowance or distinct service. Record quantity, unit, supplied unit rate and source.
2. Check units and dimensions before multiplying. Keep area, length, volume, count and time distinct. Show any supported conversion and rounding.
3. Calculate material quantities from the measured work. Apply wastage, minimum-order quantities or packaging only when the owner supplies the rule or confirms the assumption.
4. Calculate labor from the supplied rate and hours or production assumption. Keep travel, setup and subcontract work explicit. Do not treat a general productivity guess as a measured site fact.
5. Separate an allowance from a fixed amount and an optional item from the base scope. Show how each option changes the total.
6. Apply tax, markup, deposits and payment terms only from supplied rules. Identify jurisdiction or current professional review needed for an unresolved treatment.
7. Recompute every line extension, section subtotal and final total. Compare the result with the original notes so each included task is represented once.
8. List the site checks or supplier confirmations needed before the quote can be treated as firm. Give each a responsible owner when known.
9. Draft the customer-facing scope, itemized amounts, options, validity and terms. Use plain language about what is included and which assumptions remain.
10. Prepare a short follow-up sequence with proposed dates and purpose when requested. Keep every message as a draft.

## Approval and continuation

Show the full quote and terms before sending, recording it in a business app, ordering materials, booking work or accepting a commitment. Each action requires the owner's explicit yes to its exact effect. A customer enquiry alone authorizes none of those actions.

When measurements or scope change, revise the affected lines, show the difference and recompute the total. Preserve the prior quote reference and owner edits. After interruption, inspect the current draft and delivery receipt before sending another version.

## Output checks

Return the scope summary, itemized quote, options, assumptions, outstanding site checks and follow-up drafts. Check quantities, units, rates, totals, exclusions and validity. Label the result as a draft where inputs remain uncertain. End with the actual state of delivery, purchasing and scheduling.