Contractor estimate template
A contractor estimate should include a written scope of work, line-item prices for labor and materials, allowances for items the client still has to pick, exclusions, a deposit amount and the date the price expires.
What goes into a contractor estimate
A remodel estimate is the document a homeowner lays next to two or three other bids, so it has to show what you will build, not just a total. Break the job into phases such as demolition, framing, rough-in and finish work, and price each one. A client who can see where the money goes argues less about the number.
This example is set up for a kitchen remodel with cabinet and countertop allowances and a 30 day price hold. Swap the lines for your job, keep the exclusions honest, and send it while the client is still excited about the project.
Not included in this estimate
- Appliances and appliance installation
- Repairs to hidden damage found after demolition, such as rot or old wiring
- Paint and wall finishes outside the kitchen
- Architect or engineering drawings
Northline Remodeling LLC
office.northline@example.com · (555) 010-3172
Estimate
EST-1024
Prepared for
Priya Kessler
Valid until
November 19, 2026
Estimate total
$28,525.00
| Description | Qty | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition of existing kitchen and haul-away | 1 | $2,400.00 |
| Framing and blocking for new layout | 1 | $3,200.00 |
| Electrical rough-in by licensed subcontractor | 1 | $2,800.00 |
| Plumbing rough-in by licensed subcontractor | 1 | $2,200.00 |
| Drywall hang, tape and finish | 1 | $1,850.00 |
| Cabinet allowance (material only) | 1 | $9,000.00 |
| Quartz countertop allowance, per sq ft | 45 | $3,375.00 |
| Cabinet and countertop installation | 1 | $2,600.00 |
| Permit and inspection fees | 1 | $650.00 |
| Final cleanup | 1 | $450.00 |
- Total
- $28,525.00
- Deposit to start
- $2,850.00
Prices hold for 30 days. A 10% deposit on acceptance reserves your start date. Allowance overages or credits are settled at actual cost.
Fill in this contractor estimate online
The lines are already in. Change them to your own job, then download a free PDF. Nothing you type leaves this browser.
Your business
Estimate
EST-0001
Prepared for
Client name
Valid until
November 20, 2026
Estimate total
$28,525.00
| Description | Qty | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition of existing kitchen and haul-away | 1 | $2,400.00 |
| Framing and blocking for new layout | 1 | $3,200.00 |
| Electrical rough-in by licensed subcontractor | 1 | $2,800.00 |
| Plumbing rough-in by licensed subcontractor | 1 | $2,200.00 |
| Drywall hang, tape and finish | 1 | $1,850.00 |
| Cabinet allowance (material only) | 1 | $9,000.00 |
| Quartz countertop allowance, per sq ft | 45 | $3,375.00 |
| Cabinet and countertop installation | 1 | $2,600.00 |
| Permit and inspection fees | 1 | $650.00 |
| Final cleanup | 1 | $450.00 |
- Total
- $28,525.00
- Deposit to start
- $2,850.00
Prices hold for 30 days. A 10% deposit on acceptance reserves your start date. Allowance overages or credits are settled at actual cost.
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How to fill in a contractor estimate template
- 1
Open the template
Fill in the contractor estimate template on this page, or download it for Word or PDF.
- 2
Add your business and client
Enter your business name, contact details and logo, then the client's name and address.
- 3
Set the number and how long it's valid
Give the estimate a number and the date the price is good until, often 30 days.
- 4
List the work
Add each line with quantity and rate, such as demolition of existing kitchen and haul-away and framing and blocking for new layout. Add tax, a discount or a deposit if needed.
- 5
Send it for approval
Download the PDF, or send it from Invoicefy so the client can accept it online and you can turn it into an invoice.
How to price a job as a contractor
Price phases, not one lump sum
List demolition, framing, rough-in and finish work as separate lines. If the client wants to cut cost, they can see which phase to trim instead of asking you to drop the whole price. Phase lines also become natural milestones for billing later.
Use allowances for finishes the client hasn't chosen
Cabinets, tile and fixtures can swing a budget by thousands. Put a clear allowance on those lines and state that the client pays the difference if their pick costs more, or gets a credit if it costs less. Say whether the allowance covers material only or material and install.
Name the hidden-condition risk in writing
Older houses hide rot, bad wiring and undersized framing. Say in the exclusions that repairs found after demolition will be priced as a change order before work continues. That one sentence prevents the hardest conversation on a remodel.
Set a price expiration you can live with
Lumber and subcontractor prices move. A 30 day hold is common for remodels; go shorter if your supplier quotes expire faster. Put the date on the estimate so there is no debate when a client comes back three months later.
Plan how the estimate becomes the invoice
Decide before you send it how you will bill: a deposit on acceptance, draws at rough-in and cabinet delivery, and a final payment at the walkthrough. In Invoicefy the client accepts the proposal online and one click turns it into the first invoice, with approved change orders added as new lines.
Questions people ask
Many remodelers ask for 10% to 30% on acceptance, depending on job size and how much material must be ordered up front. Some states limit how much a home improvement contractor can collect before work starts, so check your state's rules before you set the number.
An estimate is an offer. Once the client signs or accepts it, it usually becomes part of the agreement along with any written terms. Keep the scope and exclusions specific so both sides know what the accepted price covers.
Write a change order for each change with the added or removed work, the price difference and any schedule impact, and get it approved before doing the work. The free change order template covers the wording.
Most contractors give free estimates for standard jobs. For large remodels that need measured drawings or design time, some charge a design fee and credit it toward the job if the client hires them. Say so before you visit.
Keep going
Get the contractor paperwork kit
Estimate, invoice, deposit invoice, change order and final notice templates in one download, sent to your inbox.
Send the proposal, then bill it in one click.
Your client accepts the proposal online and you turn it into an invoice without retyping a thing. Free to start.