Quotation Email Template: Send Professional Price Quotes That Win Deals
A well-crafted quotation email does more than list prices -- it sells your value. Choose a tone that fits your client relationship, present your pricing clearly, and send a quote that closes deals.
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What to Include in a Quotation Email
A professional quotation email needs to answer every question the client might have about pricing, scope, and next steps. Missing information creates delays and gives the impression that your business lacks attention to detail.
Every quotation email should include an itemized list of deliverables with individual prices, a clear total including any taxes or fees, payment terms and accepted payment methods, the validity period of the quote, estimated project timeline, and your contact information for follow-up questions. For larger projects, consider attaching a formal PDF quote document while summarizing the key figures in the email body for quick reference.
Quotation Email vs Formal Proposal
Understanding the difference between a quotation email and a formal proposal helps you choose the right format for each situation. A quotation email is focused primarily on pricing and is typically sent in response to a specific inquiry. It is concise, direct, and designed to give the client the financial information they need to make a decision.
A formal proposal, by contrast, is a comprehensive document that includes background research, your approach to the project, team qualifications, case studies, detailed timelines, and pricing. Proposals are appropriate for complex projects, government contracts, or situations where multiple vendors are being evaluated on criteria beyond price. For straightforward service requests, a well-structured quotation email is usually sufficient and more efficient for both parties.
How to Follow Up on a Sent Quote
Sending a quotation is only half the job. Following up strategically can mean the difference between winning the deal and losing it to a competitor or inaction.
Wait three to five business days before your first follow-up unless the client indicated a specific decision timeline. Your follow-up should be brief and value-oriented rather than just asking if they received the quote. Reference a specific benefit from your proposal, share a relevant case study, or offer to answer questions they may have after reviewing the details. If the client asks for a revision, respond quickly and treat the request as a positive signal of serious interest.
After two follow-ups without a response, try a different approach. A phone call can be more effective than another email, and some clients prefer to negotiate verbally. If the quote was for a time-sensitive project, mention the approaching expiry date as a natural reason for reaching out.
Common Quotation Email Mistakes
Even experienced professionals make quotation mistakes that cost them business. Avoiding these common errors ensures your quotes are professional, clear, and compelling.
- Sending a vague quote without itemized pricing. Clients want to understand what each component costs, not just see a lump sum total.
- Forgetting to include a validity period. Without an expiry date, clients may try to lock in pricing months later when your costs have changed.
- Omitting payment terms. Ambiguity about when and how payment is expected leads to awkward conversations and delayed payments after the project starts.
- Not explaining the value behind the price. A quote that only lists numbers without context feels impersonal and makes it easy for clients to compare you on price alone.
- Failing to follow up. Many deals are lost not because the quote was wrong but because the sender never circled back to keep the conversation moving forward.
Subject Line Suggestions
- Quotation for [Project/Service] - [Your Company]
- Price Quote: [Service Description] - [Date]
- Your Requested Quote from [Your Company] - [Reference Number]
- Quotation Enclosed: [Project Name] - [Your Company]
- [Your Company] Pricing for [Service/Product] - Valid Until [Date]
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Frequently Asked Questions
- How long should a quotation email be?
- A quotation email should be comprehensive enough to answer the client's key questions but concise enough to be read in two to three minutes. For simple quotes, the email body with an itemized list is sufficient at 200 to 400 words. For complex projects, summarize key figures in the email and attach a detailed PDF document. The goal is clarity, not length.
- Should I include discounts in my initial quotation?
- Generally, present your standard pricing in the initial quotation. If the client pushes back on price, you then have room to negotiate and offer a discount as a concession. If you start with a discounted price, you have nowhere to go when the client negotiates. An exception is when you have a genuine time-limited promotion or when the project volume justifies a volume discount.
- How long should a quotation remain valid?
- Most quotations are valid for 14 to 30 days. This gives clients reasonable time to evaluate and make a decision while protecting you from cost fluctuations. For projects involving volatile material costs or subcontractor pricing, a shorter validity of 7 to 14 days may be appropriate. Always clearly state the expiry date in your quotation.
- What if a client asks me to lower my quote?
- Rather than simply dropping your price, explore what the client's budget actually is and consider adjusting the scope to match. You can offer a reduced package at a lower price point, suggest phasing the project into stages, or explain the value behind your pricing with specific examples of quality and results. Protecting your pricing protects the quality of your work.
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