How to write an offer (Angebot) that actually wins the job

A tradesperson's offer is a sales pitch, not a price list. Here's the structure that gets the job — and the fields you're legally required to include.

The difference between a tradesperson who wins the job and one who gets "we'll think about it" is usually the offer (Angebot). Most offers read like a bare price list. The ones that win read like a plan the customer already trusts.

Start with the customer's problem, not your service

Before any price, write one or two lines that show you understood what they need. "Repair the kitchen wall after the leak, including drying, replastering and repainting — done within 5 working days." That's an offer. "Plastering and painting, €1,400" is a price tag.

Then structure it in four blocks

1. Scope — exactly what's included, and just as important, what isn't. This is where disputes are born, so be explicit.
2. Materials and timing — list materials separately from labour, and give a start/completion window, not a vague "as soon as possible".
3. Price — net, VAT, and gross. If you're a Kleinunternehmer, state the 0% VAT reference explicitly (§19 UStG).
4. Validity and terms — how long the offer stands and your payment terms.

The legal minimum (Germany and Austria)

Your name and address, the customer's name and address, a clear description of the work, the price, and the validity period. Miss any of these and the offer isn't binding — or worse, causes trouble later when the customer claims you promised something you didn't.

Make it easy to say yes

End with the next step: "Reply to this offer and we'll confirm your start date." The fewer decisions the customer has to make, the faster they sign.

Write the offer right at the job site, while you're still there, and hand it over before you leave. Speed wins more jobs than a perfect PDF sent three days later.

Bilal Shadid

Founder of The One Hand — builds privacy-first tools for solo businesses, freelancers, and tradespeople.