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How to Request a Custom Quote on a Freelance Marketplace (Buyer's Guide)

Tap through each step to see how to request and compare custom quotes.

  1. Find the right category for a custom request

    When an off-the-shelf listed package doesn't quite match what you need, most categories offer a "request a custom quote" option that lets you reach multiple freelancers at once.

  2. Write your request with as much detail as possible

    Spell out your goal, desired outcome, budget range, and timeline -- attaching a reference file or example link speeds up getting an accurate quote.

  3. Compare quotes from several freelancers

    Interested freelancers will respond with pricing, timeline, and approach -- weigh reviews, ratings, and response speed alongside price, not price alone.

  4. Clarify details over chat before committing

    Before agreeing, use messaging to confirm scope of work, number of revisions included, and who owns the rights to the final deliverable.

  5. Choose a freelancer and pay through the platform

    Once terms line up, pay through the platform's own payment system -- being steered toward paying the freelancer directly, outside the platform, usually means giving up its buyer protections.

Custom Quotes vs. Off-the-Shelf Packages

When a listed package doesn't fit your exact situation, a quote request lets you describe custom requirements and get tailored pricing from several freelancers at once, which is useful if you're not in a rush and want to compare options first.

Be cautious about deals made off-platform

If a freelancer asks to be paid directly outside the platform, think twice -- see our guide comparing freelance marketplace platforms for more on what you give up by working outside a platform's protections.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I send one request to multiple categories at once?

Usually not directly -- a request generally needs to be posted separately in each relevant category, and is only shown to freelancers in that category.

What if none of the quotes I receive feel right?

You're not obligated to accept any of them. Compare the quotes you've received and only move forward with a freelancer whose terms actually work for you.