How to price a job without undercutting yourself
By the GlowUpp team · 27 October 2026
BeforeAfter‹›An AI-generated example. Real results depend on your own space.
Many tradespeople underprice because they compare themselves with the cheapest quote they hear about. The result is a busy diary and a thin profit. Pricing well starts with knowing what you actually need to earn.
Know your real costs
Add up what it costs to run your business for a year: the van and fuel, insurance, tools and repairs, phone, software, accountant, training, and tax. Many people forget the time spent quoting, travelling, buying materials and doing paperwork, none of which is billed directly.
Work out the day rate you need
Decide what you want to take home, add your running costs and tax, and divide by the number of days you can realistically bill, not the number of days in the year. Allow for holidays, sickness, bad weather and gaps between jobs. That gives you a minimum day rate to price from.
Price the job, not just the day
- Estimate the days of work honestly, including preparation and clearing up.
- Price materials at cost plus a sensible handling margin, and say how you charge for them.
- Allow for risk: access, older properties, hidden problems and awkward clients.
- Put your price in an itemised quote so clients see the value.
Do not compete only on price
There is always someone cheaper. Clients also pay for reliability, tidy work, clear communication and being able to see the result before they commit. Show recent work and reviews, and help the client picture the finished job.
Say no sometimes
Some jobs are not worth taking at the price a client wants to pay. Turning one down politely leaves space for a better one, and can lead to the client coming back.
Review your prices regularly
Costs change. Review your rate at least once a year, raise prices gradually, and track how many quotes you win. If you win nearly every quote, you are probably too cheap.
Mistakes to avoid
- Pricing by guessing what the client will accept.
- Forgetting unbilled time and tax.
- Giving a total with no breakdown, so the client sees only the number.
- Starting without agreeing how changes will be charged.
Fees on lead sites and GlowUpp
Remember to count what you pay to find work. With GlowUpp, a profile is free. For jobs from clients who come through your own link, your first 3 are free and after that GlowUpp charges 2% of the accepted quote (capped at £250). For marketplace jobs, you pay 2% (capped at £250) only if the client picks you. Allow for it in your price so it does not come out of your profit.
Show clients the job before you quote
Free profile, your own link and QR code, and a redesign of the client's own space. You only pay when a job is won.
See how it works for tradespeopleCommon questions
- How do I work out my day rate?
- Add the income you want to take home to your running costs and tax, then divide by the number of days you can realistically bill, allowing for holidays, sickness, weather and gaps between jobs.
- Should I include materials in my price?
- Either is fine as long as it is clear. State how you charge for materials, itemise them in the quote and say how any change will be handled.
- How do I know if I am too cheap?
- If you win almost every quote, or you are busy but have little left after costs and tax, your prices may be too low. Track your win rate and profit.