Used loosely, "estimate," "quote," and "proposal" sound interchangeable. Legally and commercially, they aren't — and the difference decides whether you're bound to a price and how you come across to the client.
The three, precisely
- Estimate — an approximate figure, offered when the scope isn't fully pinned down. It signals a likely range, not a commitment.
- Quote — a fixed price for a defined scope. Once accepted, you're generally held to it, so it should only follow a solid estimate.
- Proposal — the full client-facing document: scope, price, terms, timeline, and why you. Use it when the decision needs context, not just a number.
The costly mistake
Sending an estimate that the client reads as a fixed quote. If your rough figure becomes the price you're held to — minus the buffer you'd have added — you eat the difference. Label what you send, and don't hand over a "quote" until the scope justifies a fixed number.
EstiWright takes you from estimate to client-ready quote or proposal, clearly labelled at each step.