Quote

A quote is a priced list of line items for a defined scope of work. It answers what something costs, not why it is worth buying.

A quote is a precision instrument: it breaks work into items, assigns quantities and rates, and lets both sides check exactly what is being paid for. In contracting and manufacturing it is often a required document with a prescribed format.

The trouble starts when a quote replaces a proposal. The buyer receives a table with no context, and the only thing they can do with it is compare your total against a competitor's total. The sensible arrangement is a proposal that justifies the decision, with the quote attached for whoever wants to check the detail.