What is the difference between a quote and an estimate?
A quote is a fixed price commitment - once accepted, you are bound to deliver at that price. An estimate is an approximate figure that may change once work begins, used for projects with unclear scope. Many jurisdictions treat an accepted quote as a binding contract, while estimates allow reasonable adjustment. Always make clear which one you are sending.
How long should a quote remain valid?
Most quotes include a "valid until" date 14 to 30 days from issue, which protects you against rising costs. For volatile inputs (raw materials, currency-sensitive imports), seven days is reasonable. For stable services, 60 days is common. The generator includes a valid-until field by default, so the customer cannot accept an outdated price three months later.
What should I include in a quote?
Include your business details, the customer's details, a unique quote number, the issue date, the valid-until date, an itemised breakdown of work or goods, line totals, taxes, the grand total, and acceptance terms. Many quotes also list assumptions and exclusions explicitly - for example, "price assumes hosting is provided by client" - which prevents disputes later.
Can a quote be turned into an invoice automatically?
Most accounting systems convert an accepted quote into an invoice with one click, copying line items and prices over. Even with a simple PDF quote, you can manually copy the figures into the invoice generator and just change the document title and add an invoice number. Keeping the same numbering relationship makes audit trails clean.
Is a quote a legal contract?
A signed or written acceptance of a fixed-price quote is treated as a contract in most common-law jurisdictions, including the US, UK, Australia, and India. Verbal acceptance can also be binding but is harder to prove. Always require written acceptance - even a short email saying "approved" - before starting paid work, to protect both sides.
Should I list a deposit requirement in the quote?
For larger jobs, yes. A 25 to 50 percent deposit is standard for trades, freelance creative work, and custom manufacturing. State the deposit, when it is due (usually before work starts), and whether it is refundable. Including the deposit term in the quote means the customer agrees to it the moment they accept, with no separate negotiation needed.