Customer-facing tools span a commitment spectrum: directional estimator → instant quote → configurator → eligibility checker

Claim: Customer-facing web tools group into four commitment levels: (1) a directional / ballpark estimator returns an approximate range with disclaimers; (2) an instant quote returns a specific price that can, depending on wording, constitute a binding offer on acceptance; (3) a product/service configurator lets the user assemble options (features, dimensions, quantities) and prices the result; (4) a sizing or eligibility checker returns a non-price result (recommended quantity, fit, qualification).

Source: Builder/vendor taxonomies — Elfsight https://elfsight.com/calculator-form-widget/templates/cost-calculators/ ; Stylish Cost Calculator https://wordpress.org/plugins/stylish-cost-calculator/ ; ConvertCalculator https://www.convertcalculator.com/use-cases/price-quote-calculator/

Confidence: Industry-consensus.

Caveat: Source incentive — these vendors sell the builders. The taxonomy itself is uncontroversial and predates them.

Why this matters for Candid: The first question to ask a client is which level are you actually committing to? — the legal exposure and the upkeep burden scale with commitment. See Estimate vs quotation — the legal distinction and why "it's just an estimate" may not save you and R2 — Default to a directional range, ungated, with a loud "this is a ballpark" — not a precise gated quote.