How long is a quote valid for?
A quote is valid for as long as you say it is. No UK law sets a period, so put a date on every quote. Thirty days is the usual choice for trade work, and it's sensible to go shorter when material prices are moving.
Is there a legal time limit on a quote?
No. A quote is an offer, and you decide how long the offer stays open. If you don't say, the general rule is that it lapses after a reasonable time, which depends on the job and is exactly the sort of thing people fall out over. A date removes the argument.
How long should I make it?
Long enough for the customer to get other quotes and talk it over. Short enough that your costs won't have moved by the time they say yes.
| Type of job | Sensible validity |
|---|---|
| Most domestic work | 30 days |
| Jobs heavy on materials whose prices are moving | 7 to 14 days |
| Small repairs and call-outs | 14 to 30 days |
| Large projects the customer needs time to finance | 30 to 60 days, with a materials clause |
For longer periods, add a line that protects you: "Material prices are correct at the date of this quote and may be revised if suppliers' prices change before the work is booked."
How should I word it?
Use a date. "Valid for 30 days" makes the customer count from a date they have to find. "This quote is valid until 11 November 2026" doesn't.
It also helps to say what happens next: "To go ahead, accept this quote by 11 November and I'll confirm a start date."
Can I withdraw a quote before it runs out?
Generally yes, as long as the customer hasn't accepted it yet and you tell them. Until someone says yes, an offer can normally be taken back. Once they've accepted, you have an agreement and the price stands.
If you've made a mistake on a quote, the sooner you correct it the better. Send the corrected version and say plainly that it replaces the first.
What happens when a quote expires?
The offer has ended, so the customer can't hold you to the old price. If they come back a week late and nothing has changed, most tradespeople honour it anyway, and that's your call. If your costs have gone up, send a fresh quote with a new date and a line explaining what changed.
An expiry date is also a good reason to get in touch. A message a few days before it runs out is one of the easiest ways to follow up a quote without feeling like you're chasing.
Does the date matter once the customer has accepted?
No. The date is the deadline for saying yes, not for doing the work. Once the quote is accepted in time, the price is agreed even if the job doesn't start for two months. If a long wait is likely, that's what the materials clause is for.
How does QuoteMate handle quote validity?
Every QuoteMate quote shows the date it's valid until. It's set to 30 days from the day you create the quote, and you can change it on any quote before you send. The customer sees the date in the quote email and on the PDF.
The date is there to tell the customer where they stand. QuoteMate doesn't switch the accept button off when it passes, so if your price has changed, edit the quote and send it again, or use Quote again to start a new one from the old. More on sending and accepting quotes.
This guide is general information for UK tradespeople, not legal or tax advice. Rules and thresholds change, so check the linked official pages, or ask an accountant or solicitor about your own situation.