Alcove unit. You guessed £180 of MDF from the last one. This one is deeper, two doors, and they want oak lipping. The sheet does not come in “about the same.” Joinery quotes go wrong in the timber yard, not on the sander.
The working
Materials on quote = (stock you must buy + wastage) at merchant net × (1 + markup)
Worked alcove: two 18mm MDF sheets at £38 net, oak lipping £22, hinges and catches £34, glue and screws £12. Sheet wastage 12% on the MDF because doors never nest perfectly.
| Line | Net |
|---|---|
| 2 sheets MDF | £76 |
| Wastage 12% on sheet | £9 |
| Oak lipping | £22 |
| Ironmongery | £34 |
| Sundries | £12 |
| Merchant net | £153 |
Markup 20% on that net: materials on the quote £184. Labour is hours × rate on top — machining, fit, finish. Do not use this article’s 20% as a reason to skip wastage. They are different holes.
Solid vs sheet
| Sheet | Solid | |
|---|---|---|
| Buy | Full sheets | Lengths / cubic |
| Waste | Nesting and grain | Splits, bows, matching |
| Typical add | 8–15% on sheet you cut | 10–20% if it must look the same |
| Forgot line | Edging tape / lipping | Finish and sanding supplies |
What people miss
Pricing finished sizes as merchant sizes. A 500mm shelf is not a 500mm buy. Kerf and square ends eat stock.
Customer “will get the timber.” Then they buy the wrong sheet and you still spend an hour sorting it. Either you supply it, or write that delays and extras are theirs.
Ironmongery as a fiddle. Soft-close and proper hinges are tens of pounds. Put them on the list.
One lump “materials” with no list for you. The customer can see a lump. You still need the cut list or you will under-order at 7am.
Related guides
FAQ
- Do I show the cut list to the customer?
- Not unless they asked. They buy a unit. You keep the list so the yard trip is right.
- Hardwood prices move weekly.
- Short validity, or “timber at invoice on the day we order.” Do not hold oak for 60 days on a handshake.
- Workshop waste vs site waste?
- Workshop offcuts you might reuse. Site-cut sheet in a hallway you will not. Use a higher wastage on site.
- VAT on materials you supply?
- If you are registered, it sits on the quote. If they buy the sheet themselves, it is not your materials line.
