Updated 19 October 2026. An estimate is a price you can still revise. A quote is a price you hold after the client accepts it. Alder & Co's fence, issued 19 October 2026: the estimate says about $1,800 and is good until 2 November if the posts might be rotten. The quote says $1,800 fixed, valid until 18 November, accepted in writing or by deposit.
Sometimes, in some jurisdictions — but extremely difficult to enforce. Always follow up a verbal quote with a written one (email or PDF) the same day.
If the client hasn't accepted yet, simply withdraw and reissue. Once work is underway, you're generally bound to the original quoted price.
Not strictly — written acceptance via email, payment of a deposit, or even unambiguous verbal acceptance can all create a binding contract in most jurisdictions.
Depends on jurisdiction. In many places, consumers have a 'cooling-off' period (typically 3-14 days). After that, cancellation usually requires the client to pay for work already completed.
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