Instant Book or Request Quote? How to Choose the Right Option for Your Job

When posting a job on EketSupply, you will encounter two options: Instant Book and Request Quote. Both are designed to connect you with verified professionals, but they work differently and suit different types of jobs. Understanding the distinction will help you get faster results and better value.

What is Instant Book?

Instant Book allows you to browse verified artisan profiles, view their service rates, and book them directly without waiting for a quote. The artisan has pre-listed their availability and pricing, so you can confirm a booking in minutes. This is the fastest way to hire on EketSupply.

Best for: Jobs with a well-defined scope where pricing is relatively standard — a tap replacement, an AC service, a ceiling fan installation, or a painting job with a known square footage. If you already know what you need and roughly what it costs, Instant Book removes the back-and-forth and gets someone to your door faster.

What is Request Quote?

Request Quote allows you to post a description of your job and receive competitive quotes from multiple verified professionals. You review the quotes, compare profiles, and choose the artisan you want to hire. This process typically takes 24 to 48 hours.

Best for: Jobs with an uncertain scope, larger projects, or situations where you want to compare prices. A roof repair, a full bathroom renovation, a custom carpentry project, or any job where you are not sure of the exact cost — these are all better suited to Request Quote. Getting multiple quotes also gives you a market reference point, which protects you from overpricing.

Which should you use for an emergency?

For genuine emergencies — a burst pipe, a power fault, a broken lock — use Instant Book. The speed advantage is critical when you need someone at your property immediately. Browse profiles filtered by your trade category, check availability, and book the highest-rated available professional. You can also use the emergency dispatch feature, which alerts multiple professionals simultaneously and connects you with the first one to respond.

A note on pricing

EketSupply charges zero commission on any transaction. The price you agree with your artisan is the price you pay. There are no hidden platform fees added to your bill. The artisan's earnings are also their full earnings — we do not deduct a percentage from their payment. This is by design: it means artisans on EketSupply are not inflating their prices to cover a platform cut, which keeps rates competitive for clients.

For more detail on how the platform works and how artisans are verified, visit the pricing page.