Playbooks

← Back to home

Good, better, best quote options

Give customers a choice of three, not a yes-or-no on one price.

Try it: 10 minBeginnerSample file included

A single price leaves the customer with one decision: yes or no. Three clear options let them pick the level that suits their budget, and you'd be happy to do the job at any of them. An AI agent can draft the three options and a covering note from your job notes. You set the prices, check every line, and send it yourself.

The steps.

Step 1. Write down the job in plain words: what the customer asked for, what you saw, and anything that could change the price. Leave out private details you don't need to share.

Step 2. Decide your three levels. Good is the essentials, done properly. Better is what you'd recommend for most customers. Best adds the premium extras. Every option must be one you'd be happy to deliver, including Good.

Step 3. Add your own numbers: your hourly rate, your materials costs and your margin. Don't let the agent guess your prices. If it needs a number it hasn't been given, it should leave a marker for you to fill in.

Step 4. Decide how to show GST. When you quote a household, the ACCC says businesses must show consumers a total price that includes GST. If you also show a price before GST, the total must be at least as prominent. If you only quote other businesses, you don't need to include GST in the total. Either way, say clearly which one you're showing.

Step 5. Give your agent the notes, your numbers and the prompt below. It drafts a table of the three options and a short covering note in your voice.

Step 6. Check the draft line by line. Does each option say what's included and what isn't? Do the prices match your numbers, and is the GST right? Is there a valid-until date, and are deposit and timing clear? Then edit it, approve it and send it yourself.

Step 7. Save it as a template. Keep a note of which option customers pick, so next time you know where to pitch Better.

One thing to leave out.

Since 1 October 2026, businesses can no longer add a surcharge for payments made with Visa, Mastercard, American Express or eftpos cards. So don't put a card surcharge line on your options. If card fees matter to you, build them into your prices, and if you put your prices up, do not say it's because of the surcharge change unless that's the only reason.

Here is the prompt to copy and paste. From this job scope [paste your notes], create three quote options for my [type of business] in Australia: Good (the essentials, done properly), Better (what I'd recommend for most customers) and Best (premium). For each option give what's included, what's not included, the price [including GST for a household, or excluding GST for a business customer], and one line on who it suits. Use only these prices and rates: [paste your rates and materials costs]. If you need a number I haven't given you, put [price needed] instead of guessing. Show the three options in a simple table, then write a short, friendly covering note in my voice that explains the differences, asks which option they'd like, and says the quote is valid until [date]. This is a draft for me to check. Don't send anything.

Before you rely on it.

Your agent drafts. Prices, scope and terms are yours, so check every line and make sure each option says what's included and what isn't. This is general information, not legal or tax advice. If you're unsure how to show prices or GST, ask the ACCC, the ATO or your accountant.

Three honest options, and the customer gets to say yes to one of them.

← Back to homeSee the next step