Guide · 4 min · 15 September 2026
Extra work: how to get paid for what wasn't in the quote
Almost no job stays exactly within the quote. Something turns up behind the wall, or the customer wants more. Here is how to get the extra work written in and paid for - before you carry it out.
Extra work is not the problem - unpaid extra work is. It happens when something gets done before the price is agreed, and afterwards you are left with a conversation about money that nobody wants. The fix is simple: agree the extra before you start on it.
Write it down before you do it
As soon as the job grows - hidden rot, an extra radiator, a change the customer wants - describe it as a small addition with its own price, and get a yes before the tools come out. A quick written yes is enough; it is not about distrust, but about being in agreement.
Turn the add-on into a revised price
Instead of working out the extra in your head, you edit the quote: describe the change and let Calco recalculate only the lines it affects. The rest of the quote stays untouched, and the customer gets an updated price that is easy to follow - what was agreed, and what was added.
Why it pays off
- You get paid for all the work you actually carry out
- The customer is never surprised by the bill
- You avoid the argument, because the price was agreed before, not after
Frequently asked questions
- How do I settle extra work correctly?
- Agree it before you carry it out: describe the add-on with its own price and get a yes. Then both the work and the payment are in place before you start.
- Does extra work have to be agreed in writing?
- Yes, as far as possible. A short written yes on the extra price protects you both and removes the argument afterwards.
- Can I update the quote without starting over?
- Yes. With Recalculate you simply describe the change, and Calco edits only the affected lines, so the customer gets a clear, updated price.
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