Free general contractor proposal template
A proposal needs six parts. This template has all six, filled in with a sample general contractor job so you can see how it reads. Download it, or write your own from a few typed notes.
What is in it
Typed by the general contractor: "bathroom remodel, demo to studs, new tub surround, tile floor customer supplies tile, new vanity and toilet, paint"
- Bathroom remodel.
- Demo to studs.
- New tub surround.
- Tile floor, customer supplies tile.
- New vanity and toilet.
- Paint.
Warranty: 1 year on all labor and workmanship
Deposit at signing: $1,150
Signature block: typed name, date, and the E-SIGN Act line.
Or fill it in from your notes
Type the job the way you would text it. It comes out in this format in about five seconds. No account needed.
30 days free, then $29 a month. No card to start.
Finished general contractor estimates to copy from
- Bathroom remodel estimate example, $11,500, 2 weeks
- Kitchen remodel estimate example, $32,000, 3 weeks after cabinets arrive
- Room addition estimate example, $58,000, 8 weeks after permit
- Water damage repair estimate example, $4,300, 7 days including dry-out
How to use it
Replace the company block with yours, keep the structure, and write the scope as a short list of what you will do, one item per line. Put one total price on it. Add a timeline and payment terms every time. Date it and give it an expiry, usually 30 days.
The parts most general contractors leave out
- Payment terms. "10% deposit, balance net 30" on the proposal means it is never a conversation at the end of the job.
- A valid-through date. Prices move. Without one, an old bid can be accepted months later.
- A way to accept on the spot. A printed PDF has to be signed, scanned, and emailed back, and plenty of customers put that off. A link they can tap and type their name on takes a minute.
What to fill in on a general contractor proposal
- The job in phases: demo, rough, finish
- Allowances for anything the customer still has to pick
- How change orders work and what they cost
- Progress payments tied to milestones, and who pulls permits
Dumpster, site protection, and daily cleanup are the items customers assume and contractors forget to write down.
Questions about general contractor estimates
What should a contractor estimate include?
Six parts: who it is from and who it is for, the scope of work as a short list, one total price, a timeline, payment terms with any deposit, and a way for the customer to accept. A warranty line and a valid-through date keep it from being argued over later.
Is an estimate legally binding?
Once the customer accepts it in writing, yes, for the scope and price on it. A typed name and e-signature on a phone counts under the E-SIGN Act. A number texted back and forth is much harder to hold anyone to.
Can I use this template as is?
Yes. Download the PDF, replace the company block with yours, and keep the structure. Or type your own job below and it is laid out for you in a few seconds.
Is this a replacement for Jobber or Housecall Pro?
If you have crews to dispatch and payroll to run, no. If you write your own bids and just need them written, sent, and signed, yes, at a fraction of the price.
Can I use my own terms?
Yes. Payment terms and warranty are yours to write, once in your profile or per bid.
Or skip the template
BidWriter Pro turns notes like "bathroom remodel, demo to studs, new tub surround, tile floor customer supplies tile, new vanity and toilet, paint" into this proposal, sends it by text or email, collects the deposit by card when the customer accepts, and follows up if they go quiet. Free for 30 days, no card. See how it works for general contractors or open the sample your customer would see.
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