CIS registration for subcontractors: how to do it
Who needs to register for CIS, how to do it, what gets deducted and how you get it back.
· 5 min read
YOUR FIVE-MINUTE TOOLKIT
Free quote template for trades
Build a clear quote with your business details, job costs and payment terms. Edit the sample to suit your trade, then print it for your customer.
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Sample details shown. Update the builder before sharing a printed quote.
Sample Flooring
QUOTE
Q-0001
Date: 10 November 2026
Valid until: 10 December 2026
Prepared for
Sample customer
Flooring quote
Sample quote for vinyl flooring.
| Description | Qty / unit | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fit vinyl flooringLabour | 20 m² | £25.00 | £500.00 |
| Subfloor preparationLabour | 1 job | £150.00 | £150.00 |
| Flooring materialsMaterials | 20 m² | £30.00 | £600.00 |
| Labour subtotal | £650.00 |
|---|---|
| Materials subtotal | £600.00 |
| Subtotal | £1,250.00 |
| VAT (20%) | £250.00 |
| Total | £1,500.00 |
| Deposit due on acceptance (25%) | £375.00 |
| Balance due on completion | £1,125.00 |
Payment: Balance due on completion
Exclusions and assumptions
- Moving furniture is not included.
- Price assumes a sound, level and dry subfloor. Extra preparation is quoted separately.
- Removal of old flooring is not included unless listed.
Terms
This quote covers the work and materials listed above. Any changes must be agreed in writing before additional work starts.
Acceptance
I accept this quote and the terms above.
Customer name: Sample customer
Signature: ____________________
Date: ______________
Made free at teabreaktools.co.uk
How the sample totals work
Line totals £500.00 + £150.00 + £600.00 = £1,250.00. Discount £0.00. Net £1,250.00 + VAT £250.00 = total £1,500.00. Deposit £375.00 + balance £1,125.00 = £1,500.00.
Reverse charge wording checked 10 November 2026: GOV.UK technical guide.
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How to make a quote in five steps
A useful quote tells the customer what you will do, what it costs and what happens next. Start with the measured job, not the sample figures. Check every description and amount before you send it.
- Add your business and customer details. Use your trading name, address and contact details. Include the customer name and the job address if it differs from their address. Add a unique quote number and the date so both sides can identify the right version.
- Describe the work. Explain the finish, area and preparation included. Name important products or specifications. List exclusions clearly, such as lifting existing flooring, moving furniture or repairing hidden damage. Do not rely on a short job title to explain the scope.
- Price each line. Enter the quantity, unit and unit price for labour and materials. Allow for access, delivery, waste and other agreed costs. Use the day rate calculator to check your labour budget, then compare the result with your own completed jobs.
- Set the money and timing. Check any discount, the VAT treatment and the final total. Choose a deposit that matches the job. State payment dates or milestones, how long the offer lasts and any assumptions about the start date.
- Review before sharing. Read the preview as a customer would. Check names, measurements, totals and exclusions. Explain how to accept the quote and keep a copy of the version accepted. Put later changes in writing before carrying them out.
What a good quote should contain
Include business and customer details, the job location, quote number, date and expiry date. Describe the scope, quantities, materials and exclusions. Show the price, any discount, VAT treatment, total payable, deposit and remaining payment terms. Add an expected programme if known, but distinguish an agreed date from a provisional one.
Make responsibilities clear. Say who arranges access, permits and waste disposal where relevant. Explain how you will agree variations. After acceptance, use job sheets to record work completed and changes discussed. A job sheet supports the record; it does not replace agreement on an extra charge.
Quote or estimate?
A quote is a fixed price for a defined scope. An estimate is an approximate cost when details remain uncertain. Do not call an uncertain figure a fixed quote. Identify provisional items and explain how their final price will be agreed.
Citizens Advice guidance for England explains that accepting a quote can create a contract. Extra work should be agreed with its price, not added to the bill without discussion. Consumer rights and cancellation rules may also apply.
VAT and the domestic reverse charge
Do not charge VAT if you are not VAT registered. If registered, use the correct treatment for the work; not all construction has the standard 20% rate. Show domestic customers the total including any VAT. This template is a quote, not a VAT invoice.
The domestic reverse charge can apply to eligible construction services between VAT-registered businesses within CIS. The customer accounts for VAT instead of paying it to the supplier. It does not apply to ordinary private household customers. Check customer status and any written end-user notification using the GOV.UK technical guide before selecting it.
Deposits and quote validity
Agree a proportionate deposit and explain what it covers. For longer jobs, link payments to clear stages. State cancellation terms fairly; calling a deposit non-refundable does not remove consumer rights. An expiry date limits the offer period, not the duration of an accepted contract.
This is general information, not legal advice. Last checked: .
Quote questions
Is a quote legally binding?
An accepted quote can form a binding contract, including when acceptance is verbal. Keep written evidence of the agreed scope, price and terms. Agree changes and their cost before doing extra work, and check any consumer cancellation rights that apply.
What is the difference between a quote and an estimate?
A quote offers a fixed price for the work described, while an estimate is an approximate cost. An estimate may change as the details become clearer. Label the document accurately and explain any assumptions, exclusions or provisional sums.
Do I have to show VAT on a quote?
If you are VAT registered, make the VAT treatment clear and show a domestic customer the total they will pay, including any VAT. If you are not registered, do not add VAT as a separate tax charge. Eligible construction reverse charge work needs different wording and treatment; a quote is not a VAT invoice.
How much deposit should I ask for?
There is no universal deposit percentage for every job. Base the request on reasonable upfront commitments, such as ordered materials, and agree when it is due. Keep it proportionate and use staged payments for longer work rather than asking for the whole price upfront.
How long should a quote be valid?
Choose a period that reflects supplier prices and your workload; 14 or 30 days are practical examples, not legal rules. Show a clear expiry date so the customer knows when to respond. If it expires before acceptance, confirm the price and availability again rather than assuming the old offer still applies.
Can I use this as a builders quote template?
Yes, use it to describe building work, separate labour and materials, and set payment terms. Replace sample details and exclusions with the actual scope, including access, waste removal and who supplies materials. Larger or complex projects may need a separate contract, drawings and a detailed schedule alongside the quote.
Quote total
£1,500.00
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