The RFQ template that gets you a quote in 48 hours

Why most RFQs get ignored

Suppliers receive 30+ RFQs a week. The ones that get fast, accurate quotes have one thing in common: they are unambiguous.

The nine fields

1. Project name & site address — for logistics costing.
2. Required delivery date — not "ASAP".
3. Quantity & unit of measure — sqm, linear m, piece.
4. Material specification — brand, model, finish, colour code.
5. Substitution policy — "equivalent OK" or "this SKU only".
6. Sample requirement — pre-quote or post-award.
7. Payment terms — your standard terms, stated up front.
8. Inco-terms — DDP site, EXW warehouse, etc.
9. Submission deadline — and who the quote goes to.

What to leave OUT

• Your target budget. (They will quote to your budget, not their best price.)
• Long preambles about your studio. (Suppliers do not care.)
• Multiple line items in the same email. One RFQ, one category.

The bonus field

Add a single sentence: "Quotes returned in under 48h will be prioritised in award." It works.