A Quote Builder Designed for Haulage Pricing Reality
Flat-rate transport quoting loses money on complex jobs and leaves margin on the table on simple ones. PricedQuote gives haulage operators a structured cost model built around vehicles, mileage, drivers, and job-specific extras — so every quote reflects what the job actually costs to run.
Why Flat-Rate Transport Quotes Miss True Cost
A single rate per mile looks like a simple, consistent way to price haulage work. In practice, it applies the same economics to a local 50-mile delivery and a long-distance overnight run — and gets the margin wrong on both.
The problem isn't the rate itself. It's that a flat rate can never capture the full stack of costs that vary by job, vehicle, driver, route, and circumstance. Here's what typically gets missed:
- Driver on-costs beyond basic wage — NIC, pension, holiday pay add 20–25% to apparent hourly cost
- Vehicle class differences — a 44t artic costs nearly twice per mile to operate as a 7.5t box
- Waiting time and access delays — regularly unquoted, regularly absorbed at zero charge
- Overnight accommodation and driver subsistence on multi-day runs
- Toll costs, permit fees, and specialist access equipment for abnormal loads
- Return leg positioning costs when collection and delivery aren't balanced
- Fuel price volatility — a rate set in January may be loss-making by June
Vehicle, Mileage, and Delivery Cost Structure
How to build a complete, accurate haulage job cost in PricedQuote — layer by layer.
Vehicle Class Configuration
Configure each vehicle you operate with its specific operating cost structure. This becomes the base cost layer for any job using that vehicle.
Driver Labour Cost
Set your true effective driver cost — base hourly rate plus all employer on-costs, then enter the hours for the job. PricedQuote calculates total driver cost automatically.
Mileage Input
Enter the job distance. PricedQuote applies your vehicle's per-mile cost rate and calculates total mileage cost as a separate, visible line in your cost model.
Job-Specific Extras
Add any extras that apply to this specific job as individual expense lines. These feed into your total cost and can also be presented as itemised lines in your client quote.
Margin & Surcharge Logic
Set your target margin as a percentage or fixed amount. Add fuel surcharge conditions. PricedQuote calculates the recommended quote price and shows your profit on the job before you send anything.
Generate & Send Quote
Export a professional transport quotation document with job details, scope, inclusions, surcharge terms, and your price. Client-facing — never shows your internal cost model.
How to Present Value Clearly to Clients
Haulage clients — especially logistics buyers and procurement teams — expect structured, professional quotation documents. A proper quote separates you from operators who send a number in a text message, and gives clients the information they need to approve and file your invoice without disputes.
What a good haulage quote document includes — and what PricedQuote generates for you:
- Job reference, date, and valid-until period
- Collection and delivery locations with postcode
- Vehicle type and load specification
- Services included — loading, unloading, escort if applicable
- Waiting time allowance clearly stated
- Surcharge conditions — fuel threshold, additional waiting rate
- Exclusions — specialist equipment, permits if not included
- Payment terms and invoice schedule
- Your company details, VAT number, insurance confirmation
Recommended PricedQuote Setup for Haulage
Get fully operational in PricedQuote in a single session. Here's the fastest path to accurate, professional haulage quotes.
Configure your fleet
Add each vehicle class you operate with its operating cost structure. Do this once and every quote using that vehicle class is instantly accurate.
Set driver rates with on-costs
Enter your driver rates including NIC, pension, and holiday allocation. Set different rates for Class 1, Class 2, and van drivers where applicable.
Save route playbooks for regular corridors
Save templates for your most common routes — vehicle class, standard extras, and typical distance pre-filled. Clone and adapt in minutes for every booking.
Quote, export, send, track
Generate a professional PDF quote, send to client, track status in pipeline. Set follow-up reminders. Know your total quoted pipeline value at any time.
Want the full haulage industry guide?
The haulage industry page covers vehicle-level costing in depth, with a full playbook setup guide and client output examples.