How to write a quote for a building job
- 1Fill in your business once — name, address, VAT number and logo. It is kept in this browser for every quote.
- 2Pick the country for the VAT rules, then add the client, the job and the job address.
- 3Add labour and material lines, or take rooms and saved calculations from My renovation in one click.
- 4Choose the VAT rate on each line (for example 9% for painting labour in the Netherlands) and add the usual VAT note.
- 5Download the PDF or Word file or print it, and mark each quote as sent, accepted or declined.
How the totals and VAT are worked out
- 01Line amount = quantity × unit price (without VAT), rounded to the cent.
- 02A discount comes off the subtotal, shared over the lines before VAT.
- 03VAT is worked out per rate, on the lines at that rate.
- 04Total = subtotal − discount + VAT at each rate.
- 05Labour and materials are shown apart, each with its own VAT.
Every amount is kept in whole cents with exact decimal maths — the same engine as our invoice generator — so the lines always add up to the total.
Reduced rates depend on the job and the home: 9% in the Netherlands for painting, plastering, wallpapering and insulating a home over 2 years old; 6% in Belgium for renovating a private home at least 10 years old; 10% (or 5.5% for energy-saving work) in France for a home finished over 2 years ago; in the UK, 5% for a home empty for two years and 0% for energy-saving materials until 31 March 2027. Germany has no reduced rate for building work, but private clients can claim 20% of the labour cost (up to €1,200 a year) under § 35a EStG, which is why the quote shows labour apart.
Tips before you buy
- Put labour and materials on separate lines: clients compare them, and in Germany and the Netherlands it decides the tax.
- Say what is not included (taking up old tiles, rubble, parking) — most disputes start there.
- Give a validity date: material prices change.
- Measure each room once in My renovation and the floor, wall and skirting quantities come straight into the quote.
- Keep the signed quote: in France and Belgium the reduced VAT rate rests on the client's statement about the home.
Frequently asked questions
Is the quote maker really free?
Yes — no sign-up and no limit. Your quotes, clients and logo stay in this browser; nothing is sent to us.
Which VAT rate should I use?
Pick the country, then the rate on each line. The list shows the standard and reduced rates for building work that each tax authority publishes, with their conditions. Whether a reduced rate applies depends on the job and the home, so check with your tax adviser when in doubt.
Can I add my logo?
Yes. Add a PNG or JPG under Your business; it appears on every quote, on screen and in the PDF.
Does it work with US sales tax?
Yes. Choose United States and type the sales tax rate for the place of work; the rules for labour and materials differ by state.
Where are my quotes saved?
In this browser only, under Saved quotes, each with its status. Clearing your browser data removes them, so keep the PDF or Word file of every quote you send.
Can I edit the quote after downloading it?
Change anything here and download it again, or download the Word file and edit it there.
Sources
- Belastingdienst: 9% VAT on work on homes over 2 years old (painting, plastering, wallpapering, insulating)
- SPF Finances: VAT rate for renovating a home (6%, home at least 10 years old)
- economie.gouv.fr: reduced VAT rates for building work (10% and 5.5%)
- GOV.UK: Energy-saving materials and heating equipment (VAT Notice 708/6)
- GOV.UK: VAT rates on different goods and services
- § 19 UStG (small businesses) and § 35a EStG (tax credit for tradespeople's labour)
Formulas last reviewed: September 30, 2026 ·How we check our formulas