Free contractor estimate template
Contractor estimate template
A written estimate is the difference between a job you get paid for and an argument you lose. This is the structure that holds up: who you are, what the work is, what each piece costs, and what the customer is agreeing to.
From
[Your business name]
[Phone] · [Email] · [License #]
Estimate #
[0001]
Date: [__/__/____]
Prepared for
[Customer name]
[Job address]
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Labor — 2 crew, 8 hrs | 16 | $65.00 | $1,040.00 |
| Materials (see attached list) | 1 | $780.00 | $780.00 |
| Equipment rental — 1 day | 1 | $195.00 | $195.00 |
| Permit + inspection fee | 1 | $145.00 | $145.00 |
| Debris removal and haul-off | 1 | $180.00 | $180.00 |
| Estimated total | $2,340.00 | ||
Terms
- Estimate valid for 30 days from the date above.
- 50% deposit due on acceptance; balance due on completion.
- Price assumes work during normal business hours.
- Hidden damage or code-required work found after opening walls is quoted separately before proceeding.
Customer signature
Date
Copy the block above into a document, or skip the copy-paste — QuoteFlow fills it in, totals it, and gets it signed on the customer's phone.
Stop re-typing the same estimate
QuoteFlow keeps your line items, builds the PDF, and gets an e-signature before you leave the driveway. First 10 quotes free, then $29/month for unlimited.
Start using QuoteFlowWhat has to be on a contractor estimate
Your business name, licence number and contact details; the customer's name and the job address; a dated estimate number; one line per item of work with quantity, rate and amount; a clear total; and terms covering how long the price holds and when payment is due. Leaving off the expiry date is the single most common mistake — it lets a customer accept a price six months later when your material costs have moved.
Estimate, quote or bid?
In everyday use contractors mix these up, but the distinction matters if there is ever a dispute. An estimate is your best judgement of likely cost and can move. A quote is a fixed price you are offering to stand behind. A bid is a quote submitted in competition with others. If you intend the number to be firm, write 'quote' and say so in the terms — vague language is what turns a small overrun into an argument.
Why the signature line matters
An unsigned estimate is a piece of paper. A signed one is evidence the customer saw the scope and the price and agreed to both. You do not need a lawyer for this — a name, a date, and a copy sent to the customer covers the overwhelming majority of disputes before they start.
More free templates: browse all trades