Understanding quotes

When a tradesperson responds to your job, they send you a formal quote through TruePro. You can receive up to five quotes before the quoting window closes. This article explains what is in a quote, how to compare them, and what it means to invite a specific pro.

What a quote contains

Every quote on TruePro is structured so you can compare them fairly:

• Line items — a breakdown of what is included, such as labour, parts, and call-out fees. Each line shows the amount.
• VAT — if the tradesperson is VAT-registered, VAT is shown separately so you can see the VAT-inclusive total.
• Scope of work — a description of exactly what is covered by the quote.
• Exclusions — anything that is not included, for example "wall reinstatement after pipe repair is excluded". Read these carefully.
• Terms — any conditions that apply, such as payment terms or warranty details.
• Validity — quotes are valid for 48 hours. After that they expire and the tradesperson may need to requote.

Occasionally a tradesperson withdraws a quote before you've accepted it — usually because they can no longer take on the job. A withdrawn quote simply disappears from your comparison screen, the same as an expired one, and frees up a slot for another tradesperson to quote instead.

Comparing quotes

TruePro shows all quotes on a single comparison screen. Look beyond the total price — check what each quote includes and excludes. A lower quote that excludes materials you expected to be covered may end up costing more. Also compare each pro's trust score and reviews.

The 5-quote cap and 48-hour window

A maximum of five tradespeople can quote on your job. Once five quotes are in, the job is closed to new quotes. This keeps the process fast and manageable for you. If your identity isn't yet verified (see Identity verification), the cap on new job posts is 3 quotes instead of 5 — verifying raises it to 5, including on requests you've already posted.

Inviting a specific pro to quote

If you find a tradesperson you like on TruePro but they have not yet quoted on your job, you can invite them directly. Browse to their profile and select your open job from the "Invite to quote" dropdown. They receive an invitation and have 48 hours to respond with a quote. This is especially useful if you already have a trusted pro in mind, or if you want to get a quote from someone a friend recommended. Direct invitations count toward the 5-quote cap — if your job already has five quotes, you cannot send further invitations.

How does payment protection work?

TruePro's payment protection is simple. When you accept a quote and pay, your money does not go straight to the tradesperson — it is held securely by TruePro. The tradesperson knows the money is there and cannot be taken back without reason, so they have confidence to do the work. Once you confirm that the work is complete and you are satisfied, TruePro releases the payment to the tradesperson. If there is a problem, you can report an issue before the money is released. Think of TruePro as a trusted middleman holding the money until both sides are happy.