Quote: what is a soumission in Quebec?
Quebecers ask for a soumission before hiring a painter or a roofer. Here is what it means and what it commits you to.
A quote is a written offer in which a business describes the work or services it proposes to provide and the price it asks. In Quebec French it is called a soumission, a word used both for answering a formal call for tenders and for the estimate given to a homeowner.
In short
- Strict sense: a written bid answering a call for tenders.
- Everyday Quebec usage: the same as an estimate or devis.
- An estimate is not a final price, but price increases must be justified.
- A quote the customer asked for can be emailed without prior consent under CASL.
What is the official meaning of soumission?
Quebec's terminology bank defines a soumission as the written document in which a candidate for a contract states its conditions and commits to supplying goods or services according to the specifications. It usually answers a call for tenders, and its English equivalents are bid and tender [1].
That is the situation of a contractor bidding on work for a municipality or a condo board. The same word also means the act of submitting that bid.
Is soumission also used for a homeowner's estimate?
Yes. Éducaloi, Quebec's legal-information organization, says estimates, estimés and soumissions are simply different names for the same thing from a consumer's point of view: the detail of the work to be done and the price asked [2].
French-language forms should avoid cotation in this sense: Quebec's language office treats it as an anglicism for estimate, quote or price [4].
| Term | Best use | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Quote / soumission | Written offer, tender reply or everyday Quebec estimate | Roof replacement quote |
| Estimate / devis | Detailed scope with an approximate price | Estimate to paint three rooms |
| Bid / tender | Formal response to a call for tenders | Snow-removal tender for a condo |
| Offer / offre | Broader proposal, written or verbal | Annual maintenance offer |
On bilingual documents, pair quote with soumission so both audiences recognize it.
Is a quote a binding final price?
Not exactly. Éducaloi explains that an estimate is not a final price but an honest evaluation of the approximate cost. The provider still can't raise the bill for any reason: an increase has to be justified, and the customer is entitled to a reduction if the real costs come in lower [2].
Before the contract is concluded, the provider must also share useful information about the nature of the job, the materials and the time required [2]. A detailed quote followed by a work order that records any additions prevents most disputes. This is general information, not legal advice.
How many quotes does it take to win a job?
Do you need consent to email a quote?
Under Canada's anti-spam legislation, the consent requirement does not apply to a message that solely provides a quote or estimate requested by the person receiving it, under paragraph 6(6)(a) [3]. Follow-up marketing after that falls under the general rules described on our CASL page.
Which mistakes lose quotes?
- Replying too late; customers often request several prices at once.
- Sending one lump sum with no breakdown of labour, materials and timeline.
- Leaving out how long the price is valid.
- Never tracking the conversion rate from quotes to signed jobs, or why customers said no.
- Not logging the quote in the customer's CRM record, which makes orderly follow-up impossible.
Does Pilotiko write quotes?
Pilotiko does not offer a quoting module. What it offers today is online booking, handy for scheduling the estimate visit, and AI agents that prepare work from your data, always waiting for a person's approval before anything goes out to a customer.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a quote and an estimate?
In everyday Quebec usage they usually mean the same document: the planned work and the price. Strictly speaking, a soumission answers a call for tenders, while an estimate can go to a single customer.
Should I charge for the estimate visit?
That's a business decision; many companies offer it free, others charge for large projects. If you charge, tell the customer clearly before you travel.
How long is a quote valid?
The business sets the validity period and should write it on the quote. Material prices move, so a short period such as 30 days avoids honouring an outdated price.
Can the final bill exceed the quote?
Only for justified reasons, such as extra work the customer asked for or unforeseeable expenses, and the customer must be told promptly. That is how Éducaloi describes the rules for estimates given to consumers.
Is cotation correct in French?
Not in the sense of a price or quote; Quebec's language office advises against it. Use soumission, devis, estimation or prix instead.
Sources
- Office québécois de la langue française (Vitrine linguistique), soumission (GDT) (accessed on October 15, 2026).
- Éducaloi, Les estimations, estimés et soumissions (accessed on October 15, 2026).
- Justice Canada (Justice Laws), An Act to promote the efficiency and adaptability of the Canadian economy (S.C. 2010, c. 23) (accessed on October 15, 2026).
- Office québécois de la langue française (Vitrine linguistique), Emploi déconseillé de l'emprunt cotation (BDL) (accessed on October 15, 2026).
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CASL: what does Canada's anti-spam law allow?
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