6 Best strategies for creating service quotes on Oneflare

You pull up your standard quote template, fill in the blanks, hit send, then… crickets. Sounds painfully familiar? With dozens of businesses vying for the same project on Oneflare, even established companies with solid track records are seeing their quote-to-win rates plummet. 

The biggest culprit? Most quotes sound exactly the same! They’re generic, impersonal, and fail to address what the customer is actually looking for. Worse yet, some quotes dump an “I can do it!” message with a random price tag and call it a day.

In this guide, we’ll reveal the six proven strategies most successful Oneflare businesses use to turn quotes into booked projects. Whether you’re new to the platform or frustrated with your current conversion rate, these simple tweaks will help you connect better and seal the deal faster.

Reach out within 60 minutes

A Harvard Business Review study revealed that businesses responding to leads within one hour are seven times more likely to have meaningful conversations with decision-makers. However, only 37% responded within an hour, which means there’s a huge opportunity to stand out simply by being faster.

To do this, check Oneflare for new posts every few hours, review the job description, send a quick response introducing yourself, and confirm your interest in their project. Don’t feel pressured to provide an estimate right away because there’s always a chance you might need to adjust pricing based on their specific situation.

Build trust with experience and qualifications

Customers receive dozens of quotes that all look the same, so your first message needs to establish credibility immediately. Focus on demonstrating why you’re qualified for their specific project by mentioning relevant previous work, certifications, and years of experience directly related to their needs.

For example, if they need bathroom renovations, mention how many bathrooms you’ve completed and any plumbing certifications you hold. Don’t forget to also include a portfolio or link to your website showing examples of similar work. You may also offer references from past customers who have completed similar projects.

Once you’ve established your credentials, suggest a quick phone call to discuss their project in detail. Phone conversations have much higher success rates than text exchanges, allowing you to build rapport while understanding their specific requirements.

Ask questions to give a better quote

Whether you connect by phone or through Oneflare’s messaging system, ask specific questions that help you understand exactly what’s involved. Many customers don’t have a clear idea of what they really need, so your questions help guide them toward the best solution while demonstrating your expertise.

Example questions:

• Project scope – What’s the exact size, area, or number of items involved?
• Timing expectations – Do you have a preferred start date or completion deadline?
• Access and logistics – Is parking available? Any stairs or access challenges?
• Materials and design – Do you have specific materials in mind, or are you open to recommendations?
• Budget range – What’s your expected investment for this project?

It also helps if you explain why you’re asking these questions. Be transparent with the customers and tell them that detailed information will help you provide accurate pricing and tailored recommendations rather than rough estimates that might change drastically once work begins.

Explain your price

Now that you understand their project requirements, provide a detailed breakdown so your customer understands exactly what they’re paying for.

To do this, break down your final quote into clear categories. For handyman services, add specific factors like labour costs, materials, equipment rental, permits if required, and any additional services like cleanup or disposal.

Example of a bad quote	Example of a great quote
Bathroom renovation – $6,500	Bathroom Renovation – $6,500 – Labour: $3,200 (includes demolition, tiling, plumbing adjustments) Materials: $2,500 (tiles, fixtures, fittings, grout) – Equipment rental: $300 (specialty saws, scaffolding) – Permits & inspections: $200 – Cleanup & disposal: $300

Depending on the complexity of the task, you should also explain the factors that influenced your total price based on the information they provided. If they mentioned tight access that requires smaller equipment, explain how this affects costs. If they chose premium materials or have a rushed timeline, show how these decisions impact pricing as well.

Lastly, be transparent about how you’ll handle and price additional requests or unforeseen issues that may arise during the work.

Tip: When you itemise your quote, customers focus less on the total price and more on the value they’re getting for each part of the project.

Confirm timeline and next steps

After providing your detailed quote, clearly outline the project timeline and next steps so customers know what to expect. Break down your timeline into clear phases with realistic completion dates based on the project scope and their preferred start date. For outdoor projects like adding a verandah, mention factors that could affect timing, such as weather delays or permit approval times.

More importantly, clearly state what happens next if they want to proceed and give them a specific timeframe for their decision. For example: “This quote is valid for 14 days, and I can book your project for [specific start date].” This creates appropriate urgency while showing you have professional scheduling processes in place.

Follow up within 2-3 days

Oneflare notifies you when customers view your quote, giving you the perfect follow-up time. It is highly recommended that you wait at least 2 to 3 days after they’ve seen your quote before reaching out to give them time to review all their options.

When you follow up, offer additional value rather than just asking for a decision. Mention a recent similar project you completed, provide additional references, or clarify any details that need explanation. You can also end with your availability: “I have space in my schedule starting next week if you’d like to proceed.”

Start winning more jobs today

And there we have the six best strategies guaranteed to boost your Oneflare quote-to-win conversion rate. As you can see, the difference between blending in with generic quotes and standing out as the obvious choice often comes down to treating each quote as a professional opportunity rather than a quick admin task.

Ready to test these out? Your next customer might be posting their biggest project on Oneflare right now! Check for new job postings, implement these techniques, and make sure you’re the first to reach them with a quote that wins.