Quotes that protect your margin

Spell out what's in and what's out

Most arguments about money start with a line nobody wrote down.

Inclusions. List the work line by line. Name the brand, size, finish or quantity where it matters.
Exclusions. List what you're not doing just as clearly. For example: council or certifier fees, rock or hard digging, asbestos removal, painting or landscaping.
Assumptions. Say what you priced from: which plans and which revision, site access, working hours, and anything the client supplies.

If the plans change after you quote, that's a variation, not a freebie. See get every variation agreed in writing.

Prime cost items and provisional sums

Some things can't be priced exactly when you quote. There are two ways to handle them.

Prime cost (PC) item. An allowance for a fitting the client hasn't chosen yet, like a basin, tapware or an oven.
Provisional sum (PS). Your reasonable estimate for work you can't price exactly yet, like digging where you don't know what's underground, or air conditioning.

To use them well:

Keep them to a minimum. Every PC or PS is a number that can move. A fixed price is clearer for everyone.
Make each allowance realistic. In Victoria, for example, the client has a legal right to a reasonable estimate. The contract must list each PC and PS item with a breakdown of the estimate.
Say what happens when the real cost is different: the client pays the extra, or gets a credit. Say whether your margin applies to the difference.
Keep the receipts. In Victoria you must give the client a copy of the invoice or receipt showing your cost for each item as soon as you can.

Quote homeowners a total price that includes GST

Under the Australian Consumer Law, a price you show a customer should be the total price as one figure. That total must include GST and any fees they can't avoid. If you also show a part price, the total must be just as easy to see.

So for homeowners, lead with the GST-inclusive total. A “+ GST” price can mislead. Trade clients often think in ex-GST prices, but still show the GST and the total so there's no confusion.

In Footing, each quote line gets GST at 10% by default.

Put an expiry date on the price

Material prices and your diary both change. A validity period stops an old price coming back to bite you months later.

Pick a period that suits how fast your prices move, for example 30 days.
Say what happens after that date: the price will be reviewed.
Get your numbers right before the contract is signed. For home building work, some states limit how a signed contract price can change.

Footing won't send a quote until you set a Valid until date, or choose No expiry on purpose.

Deposits: know your state's limit

For home building work, the law caps the deposit you can ask for. The limits are different in each state.

NSW: no more than 10% of the contract price.
Victoria: no more than 10% if the contract price is under $20,000, or 5% if it's $20,000 or more.
Queensland: 20% for work valued at $3,300 or less, 10% for $3,301 to $19,999, and 5% for more than $20,000. Up to 20% is allowed in limited cases where more than half the price is custom work made off site, like cabinetry.
Other states and territories: check your building regulator. The rules are different.

Victoria's building contract laws are changing, with the new laws taking effect by 1 December 2026. Deposit limits may then be set in regulations. Check Consumer Affairs Victoria before you rely on the numbers above.

Get the yes in writing

A signed quote or contract is your best protection if there's a dispute later.

NSW: home building work over $5,000 needs a written contract. Jobs over $20,000 need a fuller contract, and the client gets a cooling-off period of 5 clear business days.
Victoria: most home building work over $10,000 needs a major domestic building contract.
Queensland: home building work over $3,300 needs a written contract, dated and signed by both of you before work starts.

On bigger jobs, an accepted quote usually isn't enough on its own. The law says what the contract must contain. Use a contract that meets your state's rules and attach your quote to it.

Sources

Checked September 2026. Rules change, and they differ between states. This is general information, not legal or tax advice.

Create and send a quotePrice the work, email it to your client, and let them sign and accept it online.4 min Get every variation agreed in writingWhy variations need a written yes before you start, what to record, and how to handle an urgent “just do it” on site.4 min Tax invoices done rightWhat the ATO says a tax invoice must show, plus payment terms, progress invoices and retention, so you get paid without the back-and-forth.4 min