What the Trade2Base AI Assistant Can Do
Trade2Base includes four AI-powered features designed to save you time on writing tasks — from drafting quotes to replying to customer messages. This article explains what each one does and how to access it.
The four AI features
Enter your site notes or job description and the AI generates a structured quote with line items — labour, materials, call-out fee, and VAT. You review and edit before sending. Works best with detailed notes.
The AI reads the customer message and suggests a professional reply. You can regenerate if you don't like the first draft, or edit freely before sending.
Describe your offer and target audience, and the AI writes email subject lines, body copy, and ad headlines. Useful when you know what you want to say but not how to say it.
The AI drafts a professional response to a customer review — positive or negative. Personlised to the review content. You always approve before it goes live.
Accessing AI features
All AI features are accessed from within the relevant screen — there's no separate “AI” section to navigate to. Look for the AI or Draft with AI button wherever it's relevant. If you don't see these buttons, your OpenAI API key may not be connected yet — see Connecting OpenAI.
No AI output is ever sent to a customer without you reviewing and approving it first. You are always in control. The AI suggests; you decide.
Privacy — your data and AI
Trade2Base uses the OpenAI API to power its AI features. Here is what that means for your data:
When you use the OpenAI API (as opposed to ChatGPT directly), OpenAI does not use your data to train their models, by default. Your job notes, customer messages, and business data remain private.
When you use an AI feature, the relevant text (e.g. job notes, customer message) is sent to OpenAI to generate a response. It is not sent anywhere else. OpenAI retains API data for up to 30 days for abuse monitoring only, then deletes it.
You connect your own OpenAI API key to Trade2Base. Charges for AI usage go directly to your OpenAI account, not through Trade2Base. Set a monthly spend cap in your OpenAI dashboard to stay in control of costs.
OpenAI key requirement
To use any AI feature in Trade2Base, you need to connect your own OpenAI API key. This takes about 5 minutes to set up. Go to Connecting OpenAI — API key setup for a step-by-step guide.
For a typical trade business using all four AI features regularly, expect to spend £3–£10 per month on OpenAI API calls. We recommend setting a £10/month cap in your OpenAI account when you first set up.
Usage limits
Trade2Base does not impose its own usage limits on AI features — you can use them as often as you like. The only limit is the spend cap you set in your OpenAI account. If you hit your cap, AI features will stop working until the next billing cycle or until you raise the cap.
Quote drafting uses the most tokens per request (because it generates structured line items). Reply suggestions and review responses use fewer. Campaign copywriting is typically mid-range. All are well within a £10/month cap for normal usage.
Next steps
Connect your OpenAI key to unlock all four features, then try AI quote drafting on your next job — it's the fastest way to see the value.
Still need help? Contact support
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