Underquoting usually isn't dramatic.
It's quiet.
It happens when:
- you forget fittings
- you underestimate labour
- you absorb small changes
- you don't price return trips
- you rush because you're busy
Why it's so common
Most quotes are built under pressure.
And pressure creates shortcuts.
Shortcuts are where profit disappears.
The "hundred small leaks" problem
One missing line item might be $30.
Five missing items is $150.
One extra trip is half a day.
Over a month, it adds up fast.
The fix: quote completeness
To protect margins, quotes need:
- itemised materials
- labour included realistically
- assumptions written down
- allowances for unknowns
- a repeatable structure
How to stop underquoting without being overpriced
You don't need to raise prices randomly.
You need your quotes to be complete and consistent.
Tools help — because humans forget when rushed.
Next step
See how QuoteOS turns job descriptions into quotes using your pricing.
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