How to write a bid that gets signed
Seven things that separate the bids homeowners accept from the ones they leave sitting in their inbox.
Many bids are lost because the customer never replies: they meant to get back to you, the email got buried, they could not tell what was included, and a week later they hired the guy who called. Here is what the signed ones have in common.
1. Send it the same day
The customer is most interested in the hour after you leave. A bid that arrives that evening feels like you want the job. One that arrives Thursday feels like you are busy. Type it on your phone if you have to. Rough notes are fine; the layout is not what they are judging.
2. Say exactly what is included, in plain words
"Replace 50-gallon gas water heater, haul off the old one, new expansion tank, permit included." That is a scope. "Water heater install" is not. Every specific item you list is one less thing they have to ask about, and one less reason to compare you to a cheaper bid that quietly leaves it out.
3. One number, or a clear choice
Homeowners do not want a spreadsheet. They want to know what it costs. Put the total where they cannot miss it. If there are two ways to do the job, such as repair or replace, put both on the same proposal with a price on each and let them pick one. Do not make them do math across three columns.
4. Tell them when
A timeline turns a price into a plan. "Two days, week of the 6th" is enough. It also shows you keep a schedule.
5. Make the payment terms obvious
Deposit, balance on completion, or due when done. Put it on the proposal so it is never a conversation at the end of the job. If you take a deposit at signing, say so, and make paying it as easy as accepting.
6. Make accepting a one-minute job
If accepting means printing, signing, scanning, and emailing, half your customers will put it off. A link they open on their phone, read, type their name, and tap Accept is the difference between "I will get to it" and done.
7. Follow up twice, then once more before it expires
Day 3: "Wanted to make sure this did not get buried." Day 7: "Happy to answer questions." Five days before it expires: "This price is good through Friday." If you cannot bring yourself to send them, use a tool that sends them for you.
BidWriter Pro does all seven from a rough note typed on your phone, including the follow-ups and the deposit. Try the writer without signing up, or see what your customer would receive. There are also free proposal templates for 24 trades.
Free, no account: job price calculator, markup vs margin, hourly rate, and 84 sample estimates.
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