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Sample carpentry estimate

Pergola estimate example

A pergola bid is a lumber list with a finish. Name the sizes and the customer sees the difference from a kit.

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What the carpenter typed

"freestanding pergola 12x12 over existing patio, 6x6 cedar posts on post bases anchored to slab, 2x8 cedar beams, 2x6 rafters 16 oc, 2x2 slats, stain customer picks, no electrical"

What the customer got
Oak & Nail Carpentry
Proposal #2474 · September 13, 2026
Prepared for David Chen
Scope of work
• Freestanding 12 by 12 foot cedar pergola over the existing patio.
• 6x6 cedar posts on metal post bases anchored to the slab.
• 2x8 cedar beams, 2x6 rafters on 16-inch centers, 2x2 top slats.
• Stained, customer picks the color.
• Electrical for lights or a fan is not included.
Total
$4,600
Timeline
3 days
Payment
50% upfront, 50% on completion
Warranty: 2 years on workmanship · Deposit at signing: $2,300
Type your full name to accept this proposal. This is a legally binding electronic signature.
Full name
Accept and pay $2,300 deposit

Example figures for a typical pergola job. Not a quote. Every line on the estimate came from the notes above. Nothing was added.

What to spell out on a pergola bid

  • Footprint and height.
  • Lumber species and sizes for posts, beams, rafters, and slats.
  • How it is anchored.
  • Finish, and that stain on cedar needs recoating every few years.

A deck over a certain height, or one attached to the house, often needs a permit. A deposit for special-order material is normal.

The parts of this estimate

  • Scope of work. 5 lines, one thing each, in the order the work happens. What is not included is on the list too.
  • One price. $4,600. Not a formula, not a range. The scope explains the number.
  • Timeline. 3 days. Including dry time, cure time, or permit time, so the customer plans around it.
  • Payment terms. 50% upfront, 50% on completion. The $2,300 deposit is paid by card when they sign.
  • Warranty. 2 years on workmanship.
  • A way to accept. The customer types their name and signs with a finger on their phone. Legally binding under the E-SIGN Act, and recorded with the date, time, and the exact estimate they agreed to.

Questions carpenters ask about this bid

Permit?

Many cities exempt small freestanding structures. Say on the bid whether this one needs it.

Kit versus built?

If the customer mentions a kit, name the lumber sizes on your bid. A kit is 4x4 posts and thin slats. That is the comparison.

Is this a real quote?

No. The numbers are example figures for a typical job so you can see how a complete estimate reads. Your price is yours.

Can my customer sign this on their phone?

Yes. An estimate sent from BidWriter Pro opens as a link. The customer reads it, types their name, signs with a finger, and pays the deposit by card. You get an alert when they open it and when they sign.

Write your own pergola estimate

Type the job the way you would text it. It comes out like the one above, in about five seconds. No account needed.

Only what you type goes on the estimate. Nothing gets added.
No account needed to try it.

30 days free, then $29 a month. No card to start. Carpentry estimate template · BidWriter Pro for carpenters

More carpentry estimate examples

Guides: what to include in an estimate · how to price a job · how to follow up · how much deposit to ask for · the warranty line

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