Free Contractor Estimate Template
Enter your line items, set a markup on each one, and this template does the math: extended cost, marked-up price, subtotal, tax, and total. Download the finished estimate as a CSV or print it straight to PDF.
Estimate Details
| Description | Qty | Unit cost | Markup % | Price | Remove |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $89.00 | |||||
| $297.00 | |||||
| $48.40 | |||||
| $241.80 |
Subtotal
$676.20
Tax
$49.02
Estimate total
$725.22
Your cost
$400.00
Gross profit
$276.20
Gross margin
40.8%
On the discounted subtotal
What Belongs On Every Estimate
A price alone is not an estimate. The documents that hold up are the ones that state the scope precisely, name what is excluded, put a date and an expiration on the price, and set payment terms before the work starts. Nearly every billing argument in the trades traces back to a missing exclusion.
Include your license number, the specific equipment or fixture models where they matter, and a short note on how change orders will be handled. Written change-order terms cost nothing to add and settle the conversation when a wall opens up and the job changes.
Markup Versus Margin
The markup column above adds a percentage to your cost. Margin is the share of the final price that is profit, and it is always the smaller number: a 50 percent markup produces a 33 percent margin, and a 100 percent markup produces 50 percent. Set targets in margin and enter markup here to reach them.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What has to be on a contractor estimate?
- At minimum: your business name and license number, the customer and job address, a dated scope of work, itemized or grouped pricing, what is explicitly excluded, payment terms, and how long the price is valid. Many states also require specific contract language above a dollar threshold, so check your local rules.
- Should I show line-item pricing or one total?
- Grouped pricing with a clear scope usually closes better than a fully itemized parts list, because an itemized estimate invites the customer to price-shop each part. Itemize when the customer is a property manager or general contractor who expects it.
- What markup should I apply to materials?
- Enough to cover procurement, stocking, warranty handling, and the risk of price changes — commonly 30 to 100 percent on parts depending on the item and the trade. Remember that markup and margin are different: a 50 percent markup is a 33 percent margin.
- How long should an estimate stay valid?
- Thirty days is the common default, and shorter when equipment or commodity pricing is volatile. Print the expiration on the estimate so a price from six months ago does not become an argument.
Stop Rebuilding These Numbers By Hand
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