AI · 6 min · 8 July 2026
AI quotes for tradespeople: how it works
AI quoting has gone from buzzword to everyday tool. Here is what it is, how it works, and where the limit lies for what you can hand over to the machine.
"AI quotes" is one of those phrases being used for everything and nothing right now. But behind the noise lies a real change in how tradespeople write quotes. Here is what it means in practice, how it works, and where you should draw the line on what you leave to the machine.
What is an AI quote?
An AI quote is a quote where you describe the job - in text, by voice or with a photo - and the software suggests line items, quantities and prices, so you have a draft in minutes instead of hours. You adjust and send. The AI does not replace your professional judgement; it removes the manual lookup and typing work in front of it.
How does it work in practice?
- You describe the job in plain language - speak, type or take a photo on site
- The software recognises what needs to be done
- It finds the products in your price files and calculates quantities plus labour hours
- You check the lines, fix what needs fixing, and send
Where do the prices come from?
This is the decisive quality question. A good AI quoting tool is built on YOUR actual wholesaler price files (Brødrene Dahl, Ahlsell, Solar and the like), not guessed standard prices. That way the quote matches your actual purchase prices, and your margin is protected. If the tool is built on general average prices, the numbers are only approximate - and approximate costs money on the bottom line.
Can you trust the numbers?
The tool produces a draft, not an answer key. The rule is simple: automate lookups and writing, but verify quantities and prices before you send. A serious tool makes it easy to see and edit every single line, and builds on deterministic prices from your own files - not on guesses.
What AI does not do
- It does not replace authorisation or your professional judgement
- It does not guarantee you win the job
- It does not remove the need to know your own margin
Is it for you?
If you spend evenings writing quotes, do recurring job types, and lose jobs because your reply arrives too late - then AI quoting is probably the biggest time saver you can give yourself right now. Start small: try it on a couple of real jobs and see whether the draft holds up, before making it part of your regular workflow.
Frequently asked questions
- Are AI quotes accurate enough to send to the customer?
- As a draft, yes - if the tool uses your real prices and you check the lines before sending. The tool removes the manual work; the final professional check is still yours.
- Do I need technical skills to use it?
- No. You describe the job in plain language - in text, by voice or with a photo. There are no formulas or templates to set up.
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