Free Technical Writer Quote Template
Technical writers quote per deliverable or per day because the research phase for a user manual can take as long as writing it. A quote pins down the page count, subject matter expert access, and review cycles before any document is started.
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How does a technical writer write a quote?
A technical writing quote sets out the planned documents and the price before it starts, such as a user manual, API documentation, and an editing pass. List each deliverable, the page or endpoint count, and the included revisions, and note what added scope would cost. The figure is an estimate until accepted.
Typical line items
- User manual (10 pages, fully formatted)
- API documentation (per endpoint chapter)
- Editing and final formatting pass
- Research and subject-matter interviews
- Diagrams and screenshots
- Revision rounds included
- Per-page or per-hour rate
- Final format and delivery
How the work is charged
Technical writers usually quote a fixed price per document scaled to page or endpoint count, sometimes a per-hour rate, with research and extra revisions itemised. A larger scope raises the figure.
Payment terms and deposits
A quote often proposes a deposit to begin, with the balance on delivery of the final documents. The price holds for a stated period and is an estimate until accepted, so note what added pages would add.
Tax and compliance
If you are registered for sales tax or VAT, show it as a separate line with your registration number. Confirm the tax treatment that applies to writing services where you work.
Frequently asked questions
How much does technical writing cost?
Freelance technical writers charge €450 to €1,200 per day or €0.05 to €0.15 per word for content-heavy work. A 20-page user manual typically costs €1,500 to €4,000. API documentation for a developer product with 20 endpoints runs €2,000 to €5,000. Complexity and subject-matter depth affect the rate significantly.
What information does a technical writer need before quoting?
Provide a sample of the product or system, existing documentation if any, the intended audience (developers, end users, support teams), the required output format (PDF, HTML, DITA), and access to subject-matter experts. Without access to SMEs, the writer can't quote accurately.
Should technical writers charge for review rounds?
Yes. Each review cycle requires incorporating technical feedback from engineers or product managers. Include two review rounds in the quote price. Each additional round typically costs €150 to €350 per round. Define a review round as one consolidated set of written comments, not multiple emails.
Related quote templates
Read the complete quoting guide to see how to price a job and turn an accepted quote into an invoice.
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