Can you give me a quote?
pre-ven-TEE-vo — stress the third syllable; 'v' is labio-dental.
Use this before agreeing to any work. In Italy, getting a written preventivo (quote/estimate) before work begins protects you legally and helps avoid disputes about price when the job is done. Always ask for it in writing.
Preventivo (quote/estimate) is the document a tradesperson provides before starting work, listing the scope of work and cost. A verbal quote (preventivo verbale) has limited legal standing. A scritto (written) preventivo protects both parties. For significant work (over a few hundred euros), always insist on a written preventivo before the job starts.
Può metterlo per iscritto?
Can you put it in writing?
Essential follow-up; a written quote gives legal protection if the final bill is higher.
Il preventivo è vincolante?
Is the quote binding?
Vincolante (binding) — some preventivi are firm, others are indicative; important to clarify.
Posso avere il preventivo dettagliato?
Can I have a detailed quote?
Dettagliato (detailed) lists each element of the work separately; easier to compare quotes.
Italian consumer law (Codice del Consumo) requires that preventivi be provided before significant work begins and that the final bill does not substantially exceed the quoted amount without prior agreement. In practice, many tradespeople still work without written quotes, and consumers who accept this have limited legal recourse. The best protection is always a written, signed preventivo.