Free Construction Bid
Template
Professional estimate template used by 50,000+ contractors. Download instantly in PDF, Excel, or Google Sheets. Fill it out in under 3 minutes.
No signup required. Just download and start estimating.
Downloaded 12,000+ times
7800 Industrial Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60607
Bid #: 2026-0415 | Valid for 60 days
$223,500
⭐ 4.8 Stars
📱 App Store
📱 Google Play
🏆 #1 Estimating App
What Every Construction Bid Should Include
How to Write a Construction Bid in 5 Steps
Step 1: Study the Plans and Specs
Review architectural drawings, structural plans, and specifications cover to cover. Note any ambiguities, missing details, or conflicts between drawings. Submit RFIs early. Assumptions kill profit margins.
Step 2: Get Subcontractor Quotes
Send bid packages to 3+ subs per trade. Include plan pages, specs, and your schedule. Set a firm deadline 5-7 days before your bid is due. Late sub quotes are the #1 cause of rushed, inaccurate bids.
Step 3: Build Your Estimate
Compile material takeoffs, labor hours, equipment costs, and sub quotes. Organize by CSI division for commercial or by phase for residential. Double-check quantities against plans. A 5% takeoff error on a $200K job is $10,000.
Step 4: Add Overhead, Profit, and Contingency
General conditions (supervision, temp facilities, insurance) typically run 8-15% of hard costs. Add your profit margin (5-12% for competitive commercial, 15-25% for negotiated work). Include 3-5% contingency for unknowns.
Step 5: Submit and Follow Up
Submit your bid package with the required forms, insurance certs, and bond letter. Follow up 2-3 days after the deadline to confirm receipt and ask about the timeline. A professional follow-up shows you want the work.
Average Construction Project Costs to Guide Your Bids
Use these benchmarks as starting points. Actual costs vary by region, materials, and job complexity.
| Job Type | Material Cost | Labor Cost | Total Range |
|---|---|---|---|
| Custom home build (2,500 sq ft) | $125,000 – $250,000 | $100,000 – $175,000 | $250,000 – $450,000 |
| Commercial tenant improvement | $40 – $80/sq ft | $30 – $60/sq ft | $80 – $150/sq ft |
| Multi-family (per unit) | $80,000 – $150,000 | $60,000 – $100,000 | $150,000 – $275,000 |
| Restaurant buildout (2,000 sq ft) | $80,000 – $150,000 | $60,000 – $120,000 | $160,000 – $300,000 |
| Warehouse/industrial (10,000 sq ft) | $50 – $100/sq ft | $30 – $60/sq ft | $80 – $160/sq ft |
| Site development (1 acre) | $30,000 – $80,000 | $20,000 – $50,000 | $60,000 – $150,000 |
Costs vary by region. Get a location-specific estimate in 6 seconds with SimplyWise AI Estimator →
Bidding Best Practices for Construction Contractors
Never bid from incomplete documents
If the plans are missing structural details, MEP specs, or finish schedules, submit RFIs before bidding. Assumptions become disputes. If the owner will not clarify, add contingency and note your assumptions explicitly.
Get at least 3 sub quotes per trade
One quote is a guess. Two quotes show a range. Three quotes give you confidence in your number. The lowest sub is not always the best. Factor in their track record, insurance, and ability to meet your schedule.
Include clear exclusions
State what is NOT in your bid. Furniture, low-voltage, landscaping, permits, owner-furnished items. Spell them out. Unclear exclusions lead to scope disputes that eat your profit.
Build in material escalation protection
Lumber, steel, and copper prices swing 10-30% annually. For bids valid 60-90 days, include a material escalation clause or add 3-5% to cover price movement. The alternative is eating the difference.
Submit early, not at the deadline
Early submission shows organization and confidence. Last-minute bids suggest desperation or disorganization. For public bids, arriving early avoids the panic of traffic, printer issues, or upload failures.
Track your bid-to-win ratio
If you are winning less than 1 in 5 bids, you may be too high. Winning more than 1 in 3? You are likely leaving money on the table. Adjust your markup based on data, not gut feeling.
Estimate Template vs. Estimating Software
Free
- ✓ Pre-filled line items
- ✓ PDF, Excel, Google Sheets
- ✓ Print or email to clients
- ✓ Manual updates required
- ✓ No cost database
SimplyWise App
- ✓ Photo-to-estimate in 6 seconds
- ✓ Live material pricing by ZIP code
- ✓ Professional PDF estimates + invoices
- ✓ Send directly to clients
- ✓ Track all your estimates
Frequently Asked Questions
More Free Templates for Contractors
Contractor Invoice Template
Professional invoice template with progress billing, retainage tracking, and change order support.
General Contractor Estimate
All-purpose contractor estimate for remodels, additions, and multi-trade projects.
Roofing Estimate Template
Asphalt shingles, metal, flat roofs with tear-off, materials, labor, and warranty line items built in.
Ready to save hours on every estimate?
SimplyWise turns a photo into a professional estimate in 6 seconds.