Free download
Free Contractor Estimate Template (PDF)
A professional estimate your customer can sign. Includes scope of work, labor and materials with markup built in, fuel or trip charges, payment terms, and dual signature lines. One page, letter size, ready to print.
Works as either an estimate or a fixed-price quote — write the word you want across the top. The structure is the same: spell out exactly what you’re doing, what you’re not doing, and what it costs. Then both sides sign.
PDF · 1 page · Letter size · No signup, no watermark
What’s on the template
- Scope of work section so nothing gets misunderstood
- Labor lines with role and hourly rate
- Materials lines with quantity and sell price (markup already in)
- Fuel / trip charge line
- Subtotal, sales tax, and total
- 30-day validity and deposit terms
- Payment schedule (deposit / progress / balance)
- Customer + contractor signature lines
When to use this template
Send an estimate before you ever swing a hammer. Verbal pricing on a job site is how contractors end up doing $4,000 of work for $1,500 — the customer “heard” something different. If it’s not on paper and signed, it didn’t happen.
For repeat customers you trust, a one-line text quote is fine for small jobs. For anything over a few hundred dollars or anything with materials, use the template — it takes 10 minutes and saves the “but you said” argument later.
How to use it
- 1
Walk the job
Measure, note materials, ask the customer what they want and what they don't. Write the scope before you write the price.
- 2
Price it honestly
Hours × your rate, plus materials × markup, plus fuel. Don't lowball to win — you'll resent the job halfway through.
- 3
Get it signed
Both parties sign before you start. If the customer wants changes mid-job, that's a separate change order — not a free add-on.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between an estimate and a quote?
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An estimate is your best guess at the cost — it can change. A quote is a fixed price you're committing to. This template can be used as either: write 'Estimate' across the top if pricing might change, 'Quote' if it's locked in. Either way, getting it signed protects both sides.
What should be on a contractor estimate?
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Scope of work (exactly what you're doing and what you're not), labor breakdown by role and rate, materials with quantities, any fuel or trip charges, sales tax, total, validity period (usually 30 days), and signature lines for both parties.
Is this contractor estimate template really free?
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Yes. Download the PDF — no email, no signup, no watermark. Use it on real jobs.
How long should a contractor estimate be valid?
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30 days is standard. Material prices move, your schedule fills up, and customers shop around. A 30-day validity gives them a reason to decide without locking you into stale numbers.
Should I include cost prices or markup on the customer estimate?
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Never. The customer sees the sell price for each line — material cost plus your markup is your business. Showing the markup gives them a reason to negotiate it down.
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