Free guide · works with ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini
How to write a tradie quote with ChatGPT
Turn rough site notes into a clear, itemised, priced quote with options in about 10–20 minutes, using your own rates. You’ll also get a repeatable library and follow-up plan that reduces underpricing and ghosted quotes.
Step 1, free.
Copy this, paste it into your AI, and swap the [BRACKETS] for your own details.
Setup: Define job and client
Provide: [CLIENT NAME] [CLIENT ROLE (homeowner/PM/architect)] [CONTACT DETAILS] [SITE ADDRESS] [JOB TITLE] [JOB TYPE/TRADE (e.g., electrical, plumbing, roofing)] [WORK SUMMARY IN ONE PARAGRAPH] [WORKING HOURS & ACCESS (keys, alarms, neighbours)] [YOUR CREW & SKILL MIX] [PREFERRED UNITS (e.g., mm/m, m2, m3, LM, qty)] [TARGET START/FINISH WINDOWS] [KNOWN RISKS/CONSTRAINTS (easements, heritage, asbestos, heights)] [YOUR BASE RATES SOURCE (own rate book/date)] [GST STATUS (registered/not)] [NOTES/PHOTOS LINKS]. Act as a NZ tradie estimator and turn rough info into a tight Job Profile that sets clear scope, units, and pricing context. Work through it like this: 1) Clarify the client, site and job intent in plain terms (what’s being delivered and why). 2) Define the working footprint: spaces/areas affected, access, hours, site rules. 3) Set the measurement system and conventions from your preferences (units, rounding, typical measure sources). 4) Summarise crew capabilities relevant to this job and any plant you typically use. 5) Capture time windows and sequencing constraints that affect productivity. 6) List known risks and assumptions to be tested later, plus where your base rates come from. Give me the output as: Job Profile with sections: A) Client & Site, B) Job Intent & Deliverables, C) Measurement Conventions, D) Crew & Resources, E) Timeframes, F) Risks & Assumptions, G) Pricing Context (base rates source, GST status). Include a one-line Job Tag for later linking. Quality bar: Specific, measurable, and site-referable; no jargon or fluff; nothing implied. If any field is missing or unclear, mark MISSING and list targeted questions needed to complete the Job Profile.
How to get a good answer.
- 01Fill every [BRACKET] with real detail. Vague in, vague out.
- 02Read the answer, then reply with what's wrong or missing. The AI fixes it in seconds.
- 03Check facts, prices and anything legal or safety-related yourself before you use it.
The rest of the workflow.
Step 1 gets you started. The full Tradie Quote Builder takes you all the way, 14 steps in order:
- 01Setup: Define job and client (free above)
- 02Setup: Select trade templates and units
- 03Capture: Extract site facts from notes/photos
- 04Capture: Draft measured scope of work
- 05Build & Price: Quantities and allowances register
- 06Build & Price: Labour, materials, and plant rate sheet
- 07Build & Price: Price build-up and contingencies
- 08Review & Risk: Inclusions, exclusions, assumptions
- 09Review & Risk: Compliance and subcontract checks
- 10Review & Risk: Margin, GST, and price sanity check
- 11Deliver: Customer-ready quote document
- 12Deliver: Options and alternates sheet
- 13Deliver & Reuse: Follow-up plan and CRM log
- 14Deliver & Reuse: Update templates and item library
Pay once, keep it. Delivered instantly with a copy button on every prompt.
Questions
Does this work with the free version of ChatGPT?
Yes. The prompt works in the free versions of ChatGPT, Claude and Gemini, on a phone or a computer.
What do I put in the [BRACKETS]?
Your real details: notes, numbers, names, whatever the bracket asks for. The more specific you are, the better the answer.
Is the AI's answer always right?
No. Treat it as a strong first draft: check facts, figures and anything legal or safety-related before you use it.
What's in the full Tradie Quote Builder?
14 steps run in order, a system prompt that sets the AI up for the job, worked examples, fix-it prompts and a quality checklist. It's NZ$24.50 once, no subscription.
Know someone who'd use this?
Send them the free prompt: