# Should tradesmen charge for quotes?

> Free quotes win trust but cost you time. The options trades use, from free estimates to refundable survey fees, and how to decide what suits you.

Source: https://roughfigure.com/blog/should-you-charge-for-quotes (updated 2026-09-04)

Should tradesmen charge for quotes? “Free quotes” is on almost every trade van in the country. It’s what customers expect, and it gets you through the door. But every free quote costs you something: fuel, time, and often an evening writing it up. When lots of them don’t turn into work, it’s fair to ask whether you should charge.

There’s no single right answer. Here are the options and when each one makes sense.

## Option 1: free quotes for everyone

**Good for:** smaller jobs, trades where competitors all quote free, businesses that need more work.

Free quotes remove a barrier, and customers like them. The cost is visiting people who were never going to go ahead. You can keep free quotes and still cut the waste by finding out more first: a rough price range up front, photos, and the right questions. See [how to stop wasting time quoting](https://roughfigure.com/blog/stop-wasting-time-on-quotes).

## Option 2: free estimates online, paid site surveys

**Good for:** trades that can price a lot from photos and a few answers.

Customers get a free ballpark price online or by phone. If they want a detailed survey or a fixed quote that needs a long visit, there’s a fee, often taken off the final bill if they go ahead. Customers see the free estimate as fair, and the people who pay for a survey are usually serious.

## Option 3: a refundable call-out or survey fee

**Good for:** busy firms, large or complex jobs, areas with long travel times.

You charge a set amount for the visit and refund it if they book. Most serious customers don’t mind, and it puts off people just collecting prices. Say it early and clearly: “There’s a $65 survey fee, which comes off your bill if you go ahead.” See [call-out charges and minimum charges](https://roughfigure.com/blog/call-out-charges-and-minimum-charges).

## Option 4: charge for design work and reports

**Good for:** landscape designs, arborist reports, anything where the quote itself takes skill and hours.

If what you produce has value on its own, such as a garden design or a tree report for a mortgage or planning application, charge for it like any other work.

## How to choose

Ask yourself three questions:

1. **What do competitors near me do?** If everyone quotes free, charging can lose you work unless you offer something better.
2. **How many quotes turn into jobs?** If it’s well under half, look at why before you start charging. Better qualifying might be enough.
3. **How long does a quote really take?** A 10-minute visit down the road is different from a two-hour round trip and an evening of paperwork.

## A middle path that works for many trades

Give everyone a **free, instant ballpark price**, on the phone, by WhatsApp or with an [instant quote calculator](https://roughfigure.com/blog/instant-quote-calculator-for-your-website) on your website, then offer a visit to confirm it. Customers get the answer they wanted straight away, and you mostly visit people who already know roughly what it’ll cost and still want to go ahead.

## Questions

### Is it legal to charge for a quote?

Yes, as long as you tell the customer before the visit and they agree. Be clear about the amount and whether it comes off the final bill.

### Will charging for quotes lose me customers?

It may put off people who were only collecting prices, which is partly the point. Serious customers usually accept a fair, refundable fee, especially for big jobs.

### What’s the difference between an estimate and a quote?

An estimate is a rough guide; a quote is a firm price for a defined job. See [how to give a ballpark price](https://roughfigure.com/blog/how-to-give-a-ballpark-price) and [how to write a quote](https://roughfigure.com/blog/how-to-write-a-quote).