What is a quote generator?

A quote generator is a simple app that helps you produce professional price quotes quickly. Add your business and customer details, line items with taxes/discounts, and an optional deposit—then the tool calculates totals, applies locale‑correct currency formatting, and outputs a clean, printable PDF. This generator works offline, stores data locally (privacy‑first), supports sample data and JSON import/export, includes validity dates and status tracking, and has an acceptance section to help you move from estimate to approval faster.

How to create a quote (step‑by‑step)

1. Open the Quote Generator and click ‘Fill Sample Data’ to see an example setup.
2. Enter Your Business details and upload a logo (stored locally in your browser).
3. Set Quote Settings: number, date, validity days (auto‑sets ‘Valid until’), status, currency, and locale.
4. Add the Customer’s name, email, address, and optional tax ID.
5. Add Line Items. For each item, you can include/exclude it, set quantity, unit price, discount %, and tax %.
6. Optionally set a Deposit % and due‑in‑days; the calculator shows the deposit due and grand total.
7. Write Notes (context, assumptions) and Terms (validity, scope, exclusions, next steps).
8. Print to PDF or export JSON. When accepted, record the client’s name/title/date in the Acceptance section.

Fields you can customize

• Your Business: name, address, tax ID, and optional logo.
• Customer: name, email, address, and optional tax ID.
• Quote settings: quote number, date, validity days and ‘Valid until’, status (draft/sent/accepted/expired), currency (ISO), and locale (e.g., en‑CA).
• Line items: description, quantity, unit price, include/exclude per line, and line totals.
• Discounts: set a percentage discount per line item (auto‑calculated).
• Taxes: set a tax % per line after discounts (subtotal, tax, and total are calculated automatically).
• Deposits: optional deposit % and ‘deposit due in’ days—handy for phased projects.
• Acceptance: record the client’s name, title/role, and acceptance date for your records.
• Notes & Terms: explain scope, assumptions, timelines, and what’s not included (no legal advice).

Best practices for professional quotes

• Be specific about scope and deliverables—ambiguity leads to mismatched expectations.
• Use validity windows (e.g., 15–30 days) to avoid outdated pricing and reduce risk.
• Show optional items (unchecked or excluded) to present tiered options without pressure.
• If you take deposits, state the amount and due date; include payment instructions in Terms.
• Keep it tidy: upload a logo, use locale‑correct currency formatting, and keep contact info current.

Troubleshooting

• Totals look off: check if any line items are excluded, confirm quantities/prices, and verify tax/discount percentages.
• Wrong currency/formatting: update Currency (ISO) and Locale, then re‑print to PDF.
• Lost data: quotes autosave to your browser. If you cleared storage or switched devices, import from a previously exported JSON.

Privacy & data control

• Local‑first: your data never leaves this browser unless you export it.
• Import/Export JSON to move quotes between devices or back them up.
• Logos are kept as local DataURLs (base64) and aren’t uploaded anywhere.
• You’re in control—no account, no tracking, and no vendor lock‑in.

Printing and PDF tips

• Use ‘Print / Save as PDF’ for a clean, ad‑free layout (navigation is hidden automatically).
• Set paper size and margins in the print dialog; A4 or Letter both work well.
• Rename the file to include the quote number (e.g., Q‑0123) for easier tracking.
• If totals show raw numbers, re‑open the page to let currency formatting initialize, then print again.

Frequently asked questions

• What’s the difference between a quote and an invoice?
  A quote is a price proposal sent before work starts; an invoice is a payment request issued after you deliver goods or services. Quotes often have validity windows and optional items; invoices do not.
• How do deposits work in this tool?
  Set a deposit % and due‑in‑days in Quote Settings. The calculator shows the deposit due amount alongside the total so clients see both figures clearly.
• Can I change currency and locale formatting?
  Yes. Enter a 3‑letter currency code (e.g., USD, EUR, CAD) and a locale like en‑CA or fr‑FR. Totals and unit prices reformat automatically on your device.
• How do I handle optional items?
  Use the Include checkbox per line to show optional add‑ons without affecting the total. This is great for tiered pricing and upsells.