Can you increase the price after quoting?
The quoted price no longer works
An electrician sends a quote, then discovers a missing item in the estimate. The customer has replied that they accept and has booked other trades around the start date. The electrician wants to correct the price. Before assuming a revised document replaces the first one, the business needs to check what was agreed and discuss any proposed change through the proper process.
Establish the agreement’s status
Keep the original quote, its expiry date, terms and the customer’s response. Check whether there were conditions, later revisions or unresolved scope questions. An accepted quote can form a binding contract.
If acceptance or the terms are unclear, obtain advice on the actual communications. Do not decide solely from whether a formal contract was signed. Emails, conduct and other records can matter to the position.
Source: business.gov.au — Prepare quotes
Separate a pricing mistake from a change in work
Identify why more money is now sought. Is the customer requesting extra scope, has a stated allowance changed, or did the business omit a cost from its own estimate?
Those situations should not be presented as interchangeable. Prepare a clear comparison showing the original inclusion and proposed change. A customer is more able to assess a specific variation than an unexplained increase described as unavoidable.
Check the permitted variation process
Read the agreement for price-review and variation requirements. For building work, check the relevant state rules with an adviser. Do not assume a clause allows any increase merely because it uses broad wording.
Explain the proposed amount, work and timing to the customer and record any agreement appropriately. Avoid starting disputed extras on the assumption that payment can be argued about later. The cost of an unresolved change can exceed the amount originally omitted.
Manage the result and improve future quotes
If the customer does not agree, assess the available options and obligations before cancelling or withholding performance. A loss-making estimate does not automatically create a right to walk away.
For future work, use a review checklist for quantities, scope, exclusions, validity and payment terms. Business.gov.au recommends clear and complete quotes. A careful pre-send check is easier than trying to renegotiate after the customer has planned around an accepted price.
Check acceptance before changing price
Collect the original quote and all acceptance or revision messages.
Identify whether the increase comes from changed scope, a permitted adjustment or an estimating error.
Check the agreement and applicable rules, then document any agreed variation before relying on a new price.
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