Free template
General contracting estimate template
A clear general contracting estimate says what you will do, how much of it, and what it costs, so the customer can say yes without a phone call. Use the example below as a starting point. You can copy it, or build and send it from GetProSpace in a few minutes.
Example: home addition
Lines marked optional are add-ons the customer can choose, and they are not in the total until chosen.
| Item | Quantity | Price each | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation and framing | 1 | — | $28,500 |
| Roofing, windows and siding | 1 | — | $16,500 |
| Plumbing, electrical and HVAC rough-in | 1 | — | $13,800 |
| Interior finish and paint | 340 sq ft | $45 | $15,300 |
| Flooring allowance Optional | 340 sq ft | $15 | $5,100 |
| Total | $74,100 | ||
These numbers are only an example to show the layout. They are not a price list and not advice on what to charge. Use your own costs and your local rates.
What to put in a general contracting estimate
- The scope by trade, with exclusions
- Allowances for anything not chosen yet, and how overages are handled
- Permits, plans and inspections, and who pays
- A schedule with the main phases
- Payment stages tied to progress
- How changes are written and approved
Mistakes that cost general contractors money
- No allowances, so choices become price disputes
- Changes agreed on site and never written down
- Payment stages that do not match the work
- Subcontractors with no written scope
Send it from GetProSpace
In GetProSpace you build the estimate from lines like these, with packages and optional add-ons, and add your logo, license number and contact details. You send it by text from your business line or by email. The customer opens a link, chooses their options and accepts it online, with no account. You get a PDF as well.
When it is accepted, you can bill the deposit in one step, and the same job holds the contract, photos and invoices. See the general contracting page for how a whole job runs, or the general contracting invoice template.
Questions
How long should a general contracting estimate be good for?
Long enough for the customer to decide, but short enough that material prices have not changed. A common choice is two to four weeks. In GetProSpace you set how many days an estimate is valid, and it stops being open after that.
Can the customer accept it online?
Yes. They open the link, review the estimate, choose any options and accept it with their name. You are told when they do.
Is this template really free?
Yes. Copy the example, or use the Markdown version of this page at the same address plus .md. You do not need an account.
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