見積(みつ)もり

A calculation of cost, time or quantity made before the work begins; in business, a price quotation.

Common patterns

• 見積(みつ)もりを取(と)る: to get an estimate (from a company)
• 見積(みつ)もりを出(だ)す: to provide an estimate
• 見積(みつ)もりを依頼(いらい)する: to request an estimate
• 見積書(みつもりしょ): written estimate, quotation document
• 見積(みつ)もり金額(きんがく): estimated amount

Usage

In business, it is standard practice to request a 見積(みつ)もり before committing to a purchase or service. The expression 見積(みつ)もりは無料(むりょう)ですか ("Is the estimate free?") is very common. Getting quotes from several companies to compare them is 相見積(あいみつ)もり.

Related words

• 見積(みつ)もる: to estimate (verb form)
• 請求書(せいきゅうしょ): invoice (issued after work is done)
• 予算(よさん): budget

Writing

Also written 見積(みつも)り, with less okurigana; both spellings are standard, and documents use both. The compound for a written estimate usually drops the okurigana altogether: 見積書(みつもりしょ).