What is the difference between a quote and an invoice?

A seller issues a quote to the buyer before delivering goods or services. The quote includes the estimated cost and terms of provision of goods or services. As for the invoice, the seller issues it after delivering goods or services to inform the buyer on the defacto cost and provide payment details.

What is the purpose of a sales quote?

A seller quotes the buyer to let them know how much their goods or services will cost and how they will provide those goods/services. The provision details may include a deadline, delivery recipient and other relevant facts.

How do you write a sales quote?

The best way to write a sales quote is from a template. Include the quote number, expiration date and client details like company and address. The main part will be the list of goods or services showing their prices and quantities. And don't forget to include provision details like the deadline, intended delivery recipient and anything else the client may need.

[Sender.Company]
[Sender.Address]
[Sender.CityStateZIP]

Sales Quote

[Document.CreatedDate]

Quote No.:
Exp. Date:

[Quote.No]
[Quote.ExpDate]

Prepared for

[Client.Company]
[Client.Address]
[Client.CityStateZIP]

Price	Qty	Subtotal
$0.00	1	$0.00
$0.00	1	$0.00
$0.00	1	$0.00

This quotation is subject to the following terms and conditions:

Delivery will be made within [Days] days following [Sender.Company] receipt of payment.
Delivery will be made f.o.b. [Sender.Company] facility.
The general terms and conditions of purchase at [WebsiteLinkOrPreferenceToAttachment] apply to this quotation contract.
This quotation may be accepted to form a binding contract upon any one of the following options:

Signature below and payment to [Sender.Company] for the items listed in this quote prior to the expiration date.
Issuance of a purchase order to [Sender.Company] referencing this quote and the terms and conditions herein prior to the expiration date above.

[Client.Company]

Name Title

Signature

MM / DD / YYYY

Useful resources

Rental and Lease Agreements

FAQ

A seller issues a quote to the buyer before delivering goods or services. The quote includes the estimated cost and terms of provision of goods or services. As for the invoice, the seller issues it after delivering goods or services to inform the buyer on the defacto cost and provide payment details.

A seller quotes the buyer to let them know how much their goods or services will cost and how they will provide those goods/services. The provision details may include a deadline, delivery recipient and other relevant facts.

The best way to write a sales quote is from a template. Include the quote number, expiration date and client details like company and address. The main part will be the list of goods or services showing their prices and quantities. And don't forget to include provision details like the deadline, intended delivery recipient and anything else the client may need.

Disclaimer

Materials (e.g. templates, educational articles, blog posts and informational content), made available through PandaDoc, including via any integrations, connectors, extensions, plugins, or third-party AI platforms (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude, or similar tools) are for general information purposes only and are provided "as is." These materials do not constitute legal, regulatory, or compliance advice and should not be construed as such. It is your responsibility to ensure materials meet your specific legal requirements. Consult a qualified attorney licensed in your jurisdiction before relying on these materials. PandaDoc disclaims all warranties, express or implied, including fitness for a particular purpose or non-infringement.