Guides · Updated 2026-10-17
Quoting software for tradesmen (UK, 2026): prices and who each suits
This compares quoting software for tradesmen in the UK: the job apps most trades use to send quotes from their phone, chase them and turn them into jobs and invoices. Prices were checked on each provider's own page between 14 and 17 October 2026. If you only send a few quotes a month, our free AI quote generator and quote template may be all you need.
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Prices at a glance
| App | Price we recorded (1 person) | How it's priced | Free option |
|---|---|---|---|
| ServiceM8 | Free; Starter £25 a month (50 jobs) | By jobs a month, unlimited users on paid plans | Free plan: 1 user, 30 jobs a month |
| Powered Now | Business £28 a month excl. VAT | Per user (Professional £32, Premium £40) | No free plan |
| YourTradebase | £29 a month + VAT | Flat, +£15 per extra user; two months free paying annually | 30-day trial, no card |
| Tradify | Lite £34 per user a month | Per user (Pro £37, Plus £44) | 14-day trial |
| Fergus | Essentials from £39 a month | Plan plus timesheet and contractor users | 14-day trial |
| Jobber | Core $49 a month, or $29 billed annually | Includes one user; extra users $29 each | 14-day trial of Grow, no card |
| Commusoft | Not published, by quote | 12-month contract | Free trial |
Which one suits you
- Sole trader, a few jobs a week: ServiceM8's free plan if you do 30 jobs a month or fewer; Powered Now (£28) or YourTradebase (£29) if you want a flat UK price.
- Small team, per-user pricing is fine: Tradify for simple quotes, scheduling and timesheets; Fergus if you want price books and job cards for bigger jobs.
- Busy team, many short jobs: ServiceM8's paid plans charge by jobs, not users, which can work out cheaper for a team doing many small jobs.
- Heating and plumbing firm with engineers: Commusoft, built for service firms with stock and service reminders, on a quoted 12-month contract.
- You want online booking and card payments built in: Jobber, priced in US dollars; confirm UK support before you sign.
Side-by-side comparisons: Tradify vs ServiceM8, Tradify vs Fergus, Tradify vs Jobber, Fergus vs YourTradebase, ServiceM8 vs Powered Now, and the full field service apps list.
What good quoting software should do
| Feature | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Quote from your phone on site | Same-day quotes win more work |
| Saved items and price lists | Faster, more consistent pricing |
| VAT at 20%, 5% and the reverse charge | Construction jobs between VAT-registered firms often need the reverse charge |
| Online acceptance and deposit | The customer says yes before they go cold |
| Automatic follow-up reminders | Customers often go quiet; a polite reminder brings some back |
| Quote to job to invoice in one place | No retyping |
| Links to your accounts app | Xero, QuickBooks or similar, for Making Tax Digital |
Where AI fits in
Jobber and Powered Now sell AI receptionist add-ons ($29 and from £29 a month). For the quote itself, you can paste your quote into ChatGPT or Claude to tidy the wording. Two rules: work out the price yourself (AI doesn't know your costs), and tell it not to change any figures or add promises. Prompts that stay tied to your numbers: AI quote and follow-up tools for trades. For the wording itself, the free AI quote generator adds the 14-day cancellation notice that homeowners must get when a job is agreed at their home (GOV.UK).
Free ways to quote
- Price the job with the quote and VAT calculator.
- Write it up with the AI quote generator or print it with the quote template.
- Add terms and conditions and, for long jobs, a price-change clause.
- Follow up after 3 to 5 days. See how to write a quote that wins.
Quoting software by trade
- Plumbers: best AI tools for plumbers · quotes for plumbers
- Builders: best AI tools for builders · quotes for builders
- Electricians: best AI tools for electricians · quotes for electricians
- Roofers: best AI tools for roofers · quotes for roofers
- Cleaners: best AI tools for cleaning businesses · quotes for cleaners
Hub: best AI tools for tradesmen.
For formal bids rather than quotes, see how to use ChatGPT for tenders.
Sources
- Provider pricing pages linked from each tool page, checked 14 to 17 October 2026: ServiceM8, Powered Now (17 October), YourTradebase, Tradify, Fergus, Jobber, Commusoft (15 October).
- Cancellation rights: GOV.UK doorstep selling regulations.
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FAQ
What is the best quoting software for tradesmen in the UK?
It depends on your size. ServiceM8 is free for 1 user and 30 jobs a month; Powered Now (£28 excl. VAT) and YourTradebase (£29 + VAT) are flat-priced UK apps for one person; Tradify and Fergus suit small teams; Commusoft suits heating firms with engineers.
Is there free quoting software for tradesmen?
ServiceM8 has a free plan for 1 user and 30 jobs a month. Our free quote template and AI quote generator work in your browser with no sign-up.
Can I send quotes from my phone?
Yes. The job apps here are built for use on site from a phone or tablet. Check the features you need, such as photos, saved items and online acceptance, during the free trial.
Does quoting software handle the VAT reverse charge?
Check the app's VAT settings during the trial for the domestic reverse charge wording, and use our reverse charge checker to see whether it applies.
What is the difference between a quote and an estimate?
A quote is a fixed price the customer can accept, and it usually becomes a contract at that price. An estimate is a best guess that can change. Say clearly which one you're giving.
Is Tradify or ServiceM8 cheaper?
For one person, ServiceM8 is free up to 30 jobs a month and £25 for 50, against Tradify Lite at £34 per user. For a team doing many jobs, compare ServiceM8's job-based price with Tradify's per-user price: Tradify vs ServiceM8.