Free Construction Estimate Template
A construction estimate has to survive the lender, the client and the change order. This template separates materials from labor on every line, carries markup and tax as their own rows, and leaves room for exclusions and a schedule so the number you sign is the number you build to.
Download the template
- PDF
Print or attach; fixed layout.
- Word (.docx)
Editable in Word, Pages or LibreOffice.
- Excel (.xlsx)
Spreadsheet with the line table and totals.
- Google Docs
DOCX that opens in Google Docs after upload to Drive.
Skip the spreadsheet: fill in this construction estimate on your phone →
Sample prices are national estimates at a $42/hr labor rate and 15% markup (sample total $61,104); replace them with your own.
Fill it in online
The same template as a working estimate: edit lines, add from the construction library, download a draft PDF, or save it to reuse (free account: unlimited drafts, five tracked sends a month).
| Description | Qty | Unit | Material/unit | Labor hrs/unit | Rate | Line | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1,711.20 | |||||||
| $4,923.84 | |||||||
| $11,310.48 | |||||||
| $4,620.70 | |||||||
| $10,416.70 | |||||||
| $4,876.00 | |||||||
| $10,350.00 | |||||||
| $10,531.70 | |||||||
| $2,363.25 |
What the construction estimate template contains
- Contractor and client block with license number
- Scope summary and site address
- Line items: description, quantity, unit, material, labor hours, rate, line total
- Subtotal, markup, tax, total
- Exclusions and allowances
- Payment schedule tied to milestones
- Validity period and signature lines
Sample lines in this template
| Line | Qty | Material/unit | Hours/unit | Line total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Site clearing and rough grading | 2400 sq ft | $0 | 0.01 | $1,711 |
| Foundation stem wall, 8 in CMU | 320 sq ft | $8 | 0.14 | $4,924 |
| Floor framing and subfloor | 1200 sq ft | $6 | 0.063 | $11,310 |
| Exterior wall framing, 2x6 | 140 linear ft | $14 | 0.35 | $4,621 |
| Roof trusses and sheathing | 1400 sq ft | $5 | 0.035 | $10,417 |
| Windows, double-hung vinyl | 10 ea | $340 | 2 | $4,876 |
| Siding, fiber cement | 1500 sq ft | $4 | 0.05 | $10,350 |
| Drywall, hung and finished | 3800 sq ft | $1 | 0.03 | $10,532 |
| Dumpster and temporary facilities | 3 month | $685 | 0 | $2,363 |
Tips for this kind of estimate
- Put allowances (fixtures, flooring, lighting) on their own lines with the dollar amount in the description.
- List exclusions: permits, engineering, utility fees, landscaping. Silence is read as included.
- Tie payments to milestones (foundation, dry-in, drywall, final) rather than dates.
Questions
Is a construction estimate a contract?
Not by itself. Once the client signs the acceptance block it becomes an offer they have accepted; attach your terms or a separate contract for anything larger than a small job.
How long should the estimate stay valid?
Thirty days is typical; lumber and steel move, so shorter is reasonable in a volatile market. The template prints a validity date.
Rather send it than print it? The construction estimate goes out as a link your customer approves.
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