A sales quote allows a prospective buyer to see the

cost In Production (economics), production, research, retail, and accounting, a cost is the value of money that has been used up to produce something or deliver a service, and hence is not available for use anymore. In business, the cost may be one o ...

s that will be involved for desired work. Many businesses provide services that cannot have an upfront price because the costs involved can vary. This can be due to the materials used, which can differ depending on the individual needs of the

customer In sales, commerce, and economics, a customer (sometimes known as a client, buyer, or purchaser) is the recipient of a good, service, product or an idea - obtained from a seller, vendor, or supplier via a financial transaction or exchange f ...

, and the necessary manpower. Therefore, it is common practice for these

companies A company, abbreviated as co., is a legal entity representing an association of people, whether natural, legal or a mixture of both, with a specific objective. Company members share a common purpose and unite to achieve specific, declared ...

to provide the potential customer with an estimate of the cost. This quotation will be made by the company using the information that the potential customer provides, regarding relevant elements that may affect the price. A quote assists a prospective buyer in deciding a company or service. Because quality and professionalism within a company is usually considered along with price, most companies provide prospective customers with portfolios and examples of previous work.

See also