Overview
Diesel work is heavier, dirtier, and the injection system is where the bills hide
Diesel mechanics see a different population of vehicles to petrol techs. Light commercial vans, 4x4s, agricultural tractors, plant equipment, and the older diesel cars that haven't been scrapped yet. The mechanical layout is similar; the wear pattern is not. Turbochargers, common-rail injection, particulate filters, EGR valves, and AdBlue systems are the lines that come up again and again, and any one of them can sit at four figures by itself. A diesel quote that hides those lines behind 'service' is a quote that absorbs the cost of cleaning a DPF when the customer expected a $200 service.
QuoteGenio gives diesel mechanics a quoting shape that surfaces the diesel-specific work. Diagnostic with the right scan tool (often manufacturer-specific for trucks and tractors), injection system inspection, DPF and EGR work as named lines, AdBlue or fluid lines where applicable, turbo and intercooler condition as separate items, parts at supplier price (often heavier, often dearer), labour at the diesel rate. Send via WhatsApp from the workshop, take a deposit on parts that have to come from main agents, and the final invoice ties to the actual codes cleared and the actual work done.
Who it is for
Who uses QuoteGenio
Built for diesel workshops working on trucks, plant, and heavy equipment.
The problem
The quoting headaches every diesel workshop knows
A truck off the road costs the customer money every hour. A slow or messy quote means the job goes to a workshop that can answer faster.
Quotes drag while the truck waits
The fleet manager wants a price by lunchtime. You're still waiting on injector pricing and the head skim quote.
Hand-written quotes lose tenders
Fleet customers compare on paperwork. A scribbled quote loses against a properly itemised PDF every time.
Margin lost on parts mark-up
When labour and parts get bundled into one number, the customer haggles the lump and you give up margin you can't recover.
The fix
QuoteGenio makes it simple
A workflow built for diesel work. Itemise labour, parts, machining, and recovery in one place, and send a fleet-ready quote in minutes.
The payoff
What you get with QuoteGenio
The everyday wins that add up across a year of quoting and invoicing.
Built for heavy diesel
Line items for labour hours, parts, machining, recovery, and consumables. Everything a fleet quote needs, nothing it doesn't.
Works from the bay or the cab
Quote from under the truck or out at the breakdown. No need to drive back to the office to type it up.
Quote in under 5 minutes
Templates for common jobs (injector swap, turbo, head gasket) get you to a sent quote before the customer phones again.
Fleet payments tracked
See which fleet invoices are 30, 60, or 90 days out. Chase the right one with one tap.
Built for your trade
Quoting calibrated to how diesel mechanics actually work
Pick your trade in Settings and the entire quote flow switches to fit. Line item presets, compliance fields, on-the-quote calculators, and per-m² / after-hours pricing all change to match your industry.
Trade-specific line items
Quick add picker pre-fills the common items your trade quotes. Skip the blank rows.
Brand-specific catalogues
Pylontech, Hikvision, Canadian Solar, Sunsynk and others pre-named. Pick the brand, the description writes itself.
Compliance fields built in
IOPSA, ECASA, PIRB, PSIRA, NHBRC, SAQCC. Set once. Every quote prints them under FROM.
Registration expiry alerts
Dashboard notification 60 days before your PSIRA, CoC or any dated registration lapses.
Per-m² / hour / day billing
Unit selector on every line item: m², hr, linear m, days. Stop doing the maths externally.
After-hours and emergency
1.5× and 2× multipliers as a one-tap toggle. Customer sees the breakdown on the quote.
Quote-flow calculators
Solar size, battery backup, cable run cost. Compute on the spot, drop straight onto the quote.
Staged payments
Deposit on acceptance + balance on completion as two separate amounts on the quote PDF.
Scope-of-work checklist
Structured Included / Not included lists. Client acceptance = signing the scope.
Site-survey mode
Log a location per line item: camera positions, fixtures by room, sensors by zone.
Regional rate hints
Pricing ranges per item per currency shown as you quote.
Free on every plan
All of the above included on the free plan. Premium is for capacity, not the trade tooling.
Why QuoteGenio
Why Diesel Mechanics choose QuoteGenio
The tools that matter most when you are quoting on-site, under pressure, and between jobs.
Quote from your phone
Most Diesel Mechanics build and send quotes directly from the job site. No laptop, no office, no delays.
Win more jobs, faster
The first professional quote a client receives usually wins. Respond in minutes, not hours.
Quote to invoice in one click
When the job is accepted, convert to an invoice instantly. No retyping, no double entry.
Pricing guide
Typical Diesel Mechanics job pricing
A rough guide to what diesel workshops charge for heavy engine work. Pricing varies by truck make, on-site versus workshop, and whether parts are OEM, exchange, or reconditioned. Use these as a baseline when you build your own rate card.
| Job | Typical range |
|---|---|
| On-site diagnostic call-out | R2,479 - R5,289 |
| Injector replacement (per cylinder) | R4,628 - R10,743 |
| Turbo replacement (medium truck) | R29,749 - R74,372 |
| Head gasket and skim | R39,665 - R112,384 |
| Clutch replacement (heavy truck) | R46,276 - R107,426 |
| Full engine overhaul (medium diesel) | R206,588 - R462,756 |
| Generator service (100 kVA) | R14,048 - R36,359 |
Pricing converted from USD to ZAR at indicative rates. Rates vary significantly by country, region, currency, and market.
Call-out fees
On-site diagnostic call-outs for diesel work typically run R2,479 to R5,289 per hour plus travel. The customer is paying for a qualified diesel tech to drive out, scan the engine, and get the truck moving. Quote the call-out and travel as separate lines so there's no surprise on the invoice.
Hourly vs fixed pricing
Use hourly pricing (R1,570 to R2,644 per workshop hour for diesel) for diagnostic, fault-find, and unknown-scope work. Use fixed pricing for clear jobs like service, injector swaps, and turbos where the labour time is well known. On overhauls, fix the known work and add a provisional sum line for what the strip-down reveals.
See it in action
Example quote breakdown
Here's what a clean, itemised quote for a turbo replacement looks like. Every cost is visible: diagnostic, exchange unit, gaskets, fluids, labour, and the core charge. Fleet managers approve clear quotes faster because their finance team can sign it off without a phone call back.
Try it yourself
Job size
Region
Sample quote
Turbo replacement, medium truck
Diagnostic and removal inspection
Replacement turbo (exchange unit)
Gasket kit, oil feed pipe, sundries
Engine oil, filter, coolant top-up
Workshop labour (strip, fit, prime, road test)
Core charge (refundable on old turbo return)
| Description | Qty | Rate | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Diagnostic and removal inspection | 1 | R2,975 | R2,975 |
| Replacement turbo (exchange unit) | 1 | R39,665 | R39,665 |
| Gasket kit, oil feed pipe, sundries | 1 | R3,636 | R3,636 |
| Engine oil, filter, coolant top-up | 1 | R2,975 | R2,975 |
| Workshop labour (strip, fit, prime, road test) | 8 | R1,818 / hr | R14,544 |
| Core charge (refundable on old turbo return) | 1 | R5,784 | R5,784 |
| Subtotal | R69,579 | ||
| Tax (10%) | R6,958 | ||
| Total incl. tax | R76,537 | ||
Totals recalculate as you change the controls above. Tax rate inferred from the sample quote.
Items often forgotten
Core charges on exchange units, oil and coolant top-up, road test fuel, environmental disposal, recovery if the truck won't start, and the second visit to torque-check after the run-in period. Add these as standard lines on every diesel template.
Peer snapshot
How Diesel Mechanics actually use QuoteGenio
Indicative activity for Diesel Mechanics on the platform. Use it as a benchmark for how often to quote and how fast to respond.
22
Quotes sent per month
62%
Average quote acceptance
2 min
Median time to send quote
R76,537
Typical quote value
Figures are indicative platform averages for this trade segment.
Start quoting Diesel Mechanic jobs like this, free
Build your first quote in under 2 minutes. No credit card, no setup fee, no contract.
Avoid these
Common quoting mistakes
We talk to a lot of diesel workshops. The same margin and approval mistakes come up again and again. Fix these and your fleet work will pay you what it should.
Mistake: Bundling parts and labour into one figure
Better: Always split labour, parts, machining, and consumables into their own lines. Fleet customers haggle the lump but accept itemised numbers.
Mistake: Forgetting the core charge
Better: Exchange turbos, injectors, and starters carry a core. List it as a refundable line on the quote so the customer isn't surprised on the invoice.
Mistake: No allowance for machining
Better: Head skim, crank grind, and bore work get sent out. Quote the machining line at cost-plus so you're never out of pocket waiting on the machine shop.
Mistake: Quoting before the strip-down
Better: On overhauls, quote the strip-down and inspection first, then issue a full quote once the engine is open. Customers respect the honesty and your margin stays intact.
Mistake: Skipping recovery and travel
Better: If you collect the truck or work on-site, recovery and travel are real costs. Quote them upfront, not as a surprise on the invoice.
Mistake: Verbal authorisation from the driver
Better: Always get the fleet manager to accept the quote in writing. The driver doesn't sign the cheque. WhatsApp the quote link and wait for the accept click.
Mistake: No expiry on big quotes
Better: Set a 14 day validity on engine and gearbox jobs. Reconditioned parts and exchange units move in price weekly. Don't honour a month-old quote at a loss.
Mistake: No follow-up after sending the quote
Better: Most quotes that don't close, don't close because nobody followed up. Send a polite check-in 48 hours after the quote lands, and a second nudge at day 7. Two of every three accepted quotes get there because someone followed up.
Step by step
How to quote diesel mechanic jobs
Walk the truck before you quote. Pull the fault codes, check the oil and coolant for contamination, inspect the turbo shaft for play, and note the mileage on the hub. For injector, turbo, and head gasket work, take photos of the serial plate and the part condition so you can justify the exchange unit versus new argument with the fleet manager. On full engine overhauls, never quote the rebuild upfront: quote the strip-down and inspection first, open the engine, then issue a second quote once you know what is worn. Diesel work lives or dies on what you find on strip, and guessing at the price costs you the margin when the crank turns out to need a grind.
Itemise labour, parts, machining, consumables, and recovery as separate lines. Exchange turbos, injectors, and starters carry a core charge, so list it as a refundable line with a note that the credit goes back once the old unit is returned. Send-out machining (head skim, crank grind, bore work) should be a cost-plus line so you are never out of pocket waiting on the machine shop. On 100 kVA generator services, spell out filters, oil, coolant, and the load test separately. For on-site breakdowns, quote a call-out, per-kilometre travel, and recovery on their own lines at $ 150 to $ 320 per hour plus travel, so the fleet manager sees the shape of the invoice before the tech leaves the yard.
Set a 14 day validity on heavy diesel quotes. Exchange units, reconditioned parts, and machining prices move weekly with the rand and supplier stock, and a month-old quote on a full overhaul can destroy the margin. Show VAT as its own line because fleet finance teams reject invoices where VAT is hidden in the subtotal. State your payment terms clearly: most diesel shops take a 50 percent deposit on parts for overhauls and exchange units, net 30 on fleet work against an approved PO. Reference the fleet contract and any agreed hourly rate, and note that after-hours breakdown call-outs carry a 1.5x to 2x premium.
Send the quote straight to the named fleet manager, not to a generic procurement mailbox. A truck off the road costs the customer money every hour, so a quote sitting in a shared inbox stalls the work and costs you the booking to the workshop that answered first. WhatsApp the link to the fleet manager while the tech is still at the breakdown, wait for the accept click, and only then pull the injectors. If a strip-down reveals extra work, send a variation quote in writing before fitting any part. Driver verbal authorisations never hold up at payment time.
FAQ
Common questions from diesel mechanics
Everything you need to know before getting started.
Yes. Add the exchange core as its own line with a note that it's refunded once the old unit is returned. Customers expect to see it.
Yes. Every quote can be sent as a branded PDF or a public link, by WhatsApp or email, whichever the fleet manager prefers.
Add the machining as its own line, marked as a sub-contracted cost. Customers accept this when it's clearly noted.
Yes. Every quote has a unique public link. The fleet manager opens it on their phone or laptop and clicks accept. No signup needed.
Yes. One click converts the accepted quote to an invoice. All line items carry over.
Yes. The free plan gives you 5 quotes and 2 invoices per month with no credit card required. Upgrade to Premium for unlimited quotes, invoices, statements, and reports.
Quote the strip-down and inspection as a fixed price first. Once the engine is open, send a second quote for the rebuild with all the parts, machining, and labour itemised. Fleet customers prefer this because they aren't asked to approve a guess. QuoteGenio makes it one click to duplicate the original quote and add the new findings.
Hourly for breakdowns and diagnostics where the time depends on what you find. Fixed for known jobs like generator services and scheduled maintenance. Always quote travel as a separate line at a per-kilometre or fixed call-out rate, especially for trucks broken down out of town.
Most diesel workshops charge a fixed call-out for the first hour plus travel at a per-kilometre rate. After-hours and weekend call-outs typically carry a 1.5x to 2x premium. Reference your call-out terms on every quote so the customer signs off on the rate before the tech leaves the yard.
Yes. Always show VAT as a separate line. Fleet customers claim it back and their finance team won't process an invoice where VAT is hidden in the subtotal. If you are under the VAT threshold, state clearly on the quote that prices are VAT exempt.
Still have questions? We would rather answer them now than after you have signed up.
Explore more
Related trades in Mechanical & Automotive
QuoteGenio is built for a whole family of trades. Explore other pages that might fit how you work.
Reviews
Trusted by tradespeople
Real feedback from people who quote for a living.
"Everything is in one place now. Quotes, invoices, and payments. I do not have to chase paperwork anymore, which saves me a lot of time."
Liam Smith
Builder · New York City
"Steel fabrication quotes are technical. Clients appreciate when line items are clear and VAT is shown properly. Feels more like dealing with a real business."
Matthias Schulz
Steel Fabricator · Hamburg
"Simple, fast, and easy to use. I can create and send quotes in minutes without overcomplicating things."
Sophie Williams
Freelancer · Glasgow
Guides
Guides for Diesel Mechanics
Practical advice to help you quote better, get paid faster, and grow your business.
Free forever plan
Start quoting faster. Win more jobs.
Create professional quotes in minutes, send instantly, and stay on top of your work without the admin slowing you down.
Free to start. No credit card required.