Quoting software for plasterers
TradeKwote helps UK plasterers turn notes from a site visit into a clear, professional quote in about 60 seconds, from skimming a ceiling to replastering a whole house. You set the prices; TradeKwote writes up the job. Review it and send it as a professional PDF from your phone.
Last updated · by John Parlanti, founder of TradeKwote
Customers often don't know the difference between a skim and a full replaster, or why boarding a ceiling costs more than skimming it. A quote that explains what you'll do, and why, makes your price easier to accept.
What should a plastering quote include?
- The rooms or areas, with the area in square metres where it helps.
- The method: skim coat, overboarding and skim, or hacking off and replastering with backing coat and finish.
- Prep: removing old coverings, PVA or bonding, beading on corners and making good around sockets and frames.
- Protecting floors and furniture, and whether the room needs to be empty.
- Drying time before decorating, and advice on a mist coat for new plaster.
- Waste removal, and what isn't included, such as removing coving or electrics that need moving.
How do plasterers price work?
Many plasterers price per room or per job, based on the area, the method and the prep. Day rates are common on building sites and for bigger jobs. Ceilings, stairwells and high walls take longer, so they're often priced higher per square metre than a standard wall.
What health and safety should a plastering quote mention?
- Textured coatings such as Artex applied before 2000 can contain asbestos. They should be tested before being scraped or sanded, and skimming over is sometimes the safer option.
- Hacking off old lime plaster in older properties creates a lot of dust, so say how you'll control it.
- If walls have damp problems, plastering over them without fixing the cause can fail. Say so on the quote if you've seen signs of damp.
How does TradeKwote help plasterers?
- Dictate each room and the method as you go round, and TradeKwote writes a clear scope of work.
- You enter each line, such as rooms, boarding or materials, with your prices. The AI never adds items or changes prices.
- Add up to 5 photos of the walls and ceilings so the scope reflects their condition. Photos stay private.
- Add notes to the customer about drying times and preparing the room.
- VAT is handled, including the domestic reverse charge for work you do for contractors.
- Customers can accept online on every plan with no account needed. On Pro, accepted quotes become invoices in one click.
How can plasterers win more plastering work?
- Explain the method in plain English. "Overboard and skim" means little to most customers until you say why it's needed.
- Give the drying time and when the room can be decorated, so the customer can book their decorator.
- Mention dust control and floor protection, as they're common worries.
- Send the quote the same day while the customer is still comparing prices.
Example
Job note: Front bedroom, overboard artex ceiling 12m², skim walls, new angle beads. Your lines: ceiling board and skim £420, walls skim £380, materials £110.
A quote explaining the overboarding and skim, with your prices, drying-time advice and VAT.