Free Contractor Estimate Template

A professional construction job estimate you can edit in the browser and hand to the client as a PDF. Pre-filled with typical remodel phases — demo, framing, drywall, electrical, finish — so you can quote by phase like a GC.

Free foreverNo sign-upInstant PDF downloadPrivate — data stays on your device

What to include in a contractor estimate

2026 pricing guide

Sanity-check the numbers in your estimate against typical market ranges:

Job / serviceTypical price (US, 2026)
Kitchen remodel (mid-range)$15,000 – $50,000
Bathroom remodel$8,000 – $25,000
Basement finish$30,000 – $60,000
Drywall, hung & finished (per sq ft)$2.00 – $4.00
Interior painting (per sq ft)$2.00 – $6.00
Composite deck build (per sq ft)$30 – $60
General contractor markup10% – 25%

2026 national ranges for planning conversations — actual bids depend entirely on scope, finishes and local labor.

How it works

1

Edit the pre-filled template

The line items above are a realistic starting point — replace them with your job, quantities and rates.

2

Check the live preview

The estimate updates as you type, formatted the way clients expect.

3

Download the PDF

One click. Your draft also auto-saves in your browser, so you can come back and duplicate it for the next job.

Frequently asked questions

What should a contractor estimate include?
Phase-by-phase line items (demo, framing, mechanical rough-in, finish), material allowances for client-selected items, stated exclusions, a payment schedule, your change-order policy, license and insurance details, and a validity window. An estimate that reads like a plan wins over a single mystery number every time.
What's the difference between an estimate, a quote and a bid?
An estimate is your best professional approximation and may shift with conditions; a quote (or fixed bid) is a committed price for a defined scope. For remodel work with unknowns behind walls, most GCs issue detailed estimates with clear exclusions and allowances — exactly what this template produces.
How much should a contractor ask for up front?
A common residential schedule is 30% at signing, 40% at rough-in, 30% at completion — but several states cap the initial deposit (California famously limits it to $1,000 or 10%, whichever is less). Check your state's rules and spell the schedule out in the notes.
Should I show markup on a construction estimate?
Usually no — price each phase with your overhead and profit built in. The exception is cost-plus contracts, where the agreed markup percentage is disclosed by definition.
Is this contractor estimate template free?
Yes. Unlimited estimates, unlimited PDF downloads, no account. Everything you type stays in your browser.

More free tools

Need to quote a different trade?

The estimate maker works for any service business — plus free invoice, purchase-order and work-order generators.

Open the free estimate maker