Guides · UK trades
Setting prices and margins
Hourly rates, markups, wastage, day rates, and overheads for UK trades quoting from the van.
- How to calculate your true hourly rate for UK trades
- Should I add a markup on materials when quoting a job?
- How much material wastage should tradespeople build into a quote?
- How to quote a job when you aren't sure how long it will take
- Day rate vs fixed price: Which is better for UK trades?
- How to factor business overheads and van running costs into your quotes
Create quotes and invoices from WhatsApp with Pencil assistant
Stop spending your Sunday evenings stuck behind a screen with a calculator. Dictate your site notes or snap a photo of your scribbles, and Pencil turns them into clear, professional PDFs you can check and send in seconds.
- Turns quick voice notes or scribbled site photos into neat PDFs
- Invoices sent on the spot so you get paid before you pack up
- Adjust line items, labour, or VAT on the fly
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Pencil
Alright Pencil, need a quote for Dave on High Street. Full repaint of the hall, stairs, and landing. Call it £220 for materials, 3 days labour at £200 a day, plus VAT. Address is 14 High Street, TN11 8LX.
Quote for Dave Smith, TN11 8LX
Hall, stairs and landing repainting£600.00
Materials (paint, primer, protection)£220.00
Total: £820+VAT (£984)
Quote for Dave Smith, TN11 8LX
Hall, stairs and landing repainting£600.00
Materials (paint, primer, protection)£220.00
Gloss 4 internal doors£120.00
Total: £940+VAT (£1,128)
Start date: Thursday, 8th October