Better ways to say “Can you send me a quote?”

Say this instead

1. 01

   Hi Dylan, could you send me a written quote for designing a one-page poster for our open day? Your team charges us back, so I need the exact amount for our cost center.

   Coworker · Chat

   Fits when an in-house team charges back to your department and you need a firm figure rather than an estimate.

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2. 02

   Hi Isla, could you send me a written quote for your fee to fill this role, including what it covers and when it becomes payable? I'm comparing it with two other agencies.

   Recruiter / HR · Email

   Asking for terms as well as the price helps when you're comparing agencies side by side.

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3. 03

   Could you forward me the quote you got from the printer? I need the figures to finish the cost comparison.

   Boss · Chat

   Your manager already holds the quote here, and you just need the numbers to finish your part.

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4. 04

   Hi Marlowe, can you email me a quote for hiring the van on June 14, 9am to 5pm? I need it before Friday's sign-off.

   Coworker · SMS

   Short enough for a text, and the date, hours and deadline let the other person answer in one go.

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5. 05

   Hi Camila, thanks for looking at the laptop repair. Could you get the quote to me by Monday? Finance approves on Tuesday.

   Coworker · Chat

   Use it when the job is already agreed and you only need the quote by a set day, with the reason given.

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6. 06

   Could you ask the supplier for a written quote for the 50 chairs and send it to me by Monday? I'll compare it with the other two.

   Someone you manage · Email

   Delegation is the point here: your team member gets the quote from a supplier and passes it to you.

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7. 07

   Hi Ravi, could you send me an itemized quote for 10 monitor stands, including delivery and tax? I need the total to raise a purchase request.

   Coworker · Email

   Requesting itemized costs and the all-in total avoids surprise extras when you raise the purchase request.

   Use for my message
   Copy

Examples

What to avoid

• Asking for a “ballpark” or a “rough number” is a mistake when the figure goes into a budget, so request a firm, written quote.
• Leaving out the scope forces guesswork, so say what the quote should cover, such as quantity, dates, delivery and tax.
• Skipping the deadline slows things down, so name a day and give the reason if you can.
• Hinting that you've already decided to go ahead can weaken your position unless it's true, and “just need a quote” is enough.
• Making the other person guess whether you want a quote, an estimate or an invoice invites the wrong document.

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• A kinder way to say “I want a promotion”→
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