# Free Construction Bid Template | Download PDF, Excel, Sheets Canonical URL: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/construction-bid-template/ Plain text: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/construction-bid-template/llms.txt Publisher: SimplyWise, Inc. (https://www.simplywise.com) Published: April 17, 2026 Updated: September 11, 2026 Summary: Download a free construction bid template. Professional PDF, Excel, and Google Sheets formats with scope, pricing, timeline, and terms. --- Templates > Bidding > Construction Bid ## Free Construction Bid Template Professional estimate template used by 10,000+ contractors. Use the PDF, Excel, or Google Sheets layout below. Fill it out in under 3 minutes. πŸ“„ PDF Excel Google Sheets No signup required. Start estimating in the SimplyWise Cost Estimator app. CONSTRUCTION BID Ironclad Builders Inc. Submitted to: Greenfield Development Corp 7800 Industrial Pkwy, Chicago, IL 60607 Bid #: 2026-0415 | Valid for 60 days General conditions + mobilization $12,000 Concrete + foundation work $45,000 Structural framing + carpentry $68,000 MEP rough-in (mechanical, electrical, plumbing) $52,000 Finishes (drywall, paint, flooring, trim) $38,000 Site work + cleanup $8,500 BID TOTAL $223,500 Trusted by 10,000+ contractors ⭐ 4.8 Stars πŸ“± App Store πŸ“± Google Play ## What Every Construction Bid Should Include βœ“ Company name, license number, and contact info βœ“ Client name and project address βœ“ Detailed scope of work by CSI division with inclusions and exclusions βœ“ Material specifications, allowances, and unit pricing βœ“ Labor breakdown by trade with crew size and daily rates βœ“ Equipment, mobilization, and general conditions costs βœ“ Overhead, profit, and contingency percentages βœ“ Subtotal, bonds, insurance, tax, and grand total βœ“ Payment schedule tied to milestones with retainage terms βœ“ Bid validity period (30-90 days) and escalation clause βœ“ Bonds, insurance certificates, and permit responsibilities βœ“ Authorized signatures with bid acceptance terms ## 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 Cost Estimator β†’ ## 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 Template ### Free - βœ“ Pre-filled line items - βœ“ PDF, Excel, Google Sheets - βœ“ Print or email to clients - βœ“ Manual updates required - βœ“ No cost database Free to Try ### SimplyWise App - βœ“ Photo-to-estimate in 6 seconds - βœ“ Live material pricing by ZIP code - βœ“ Professional PDF estimates + invoices - βœ“ Send directly to clients - βœ“ Track all your estimates ## Frequently Asked Questions What’s the difference between an estimate and a bid? How long should a construction bid be valid? Should I include a bond in my bid? Should I include alternates in a bid? How do I win more construction bids? ## More Free Templates for Contractors CONTRACTOR INVOICE Apex Construction LLC Phase 1: Foundation $18,500 Phase 2: Framing $32,000 Materials + fixtures $22,000 BALANCE DUE $96,451 ### Contractor Invoice Template Professional invoice template with progress billing, retainage tracking, and change order support. GENERAL ESTIMATE Foundation General Contracting Project scope of work $24,000 Materials + permits $18,500 Labor (4-person crew) $16,800 TOTAL $62,300 ### General Contractor Estimate All-purpose contractor estimate for remodels, additions, and multi-trade projects. ROOFING ESTIMATE Johnson Roofing Co. Tear-off existing shingles (30 sq) $2,400 GAF Timberline HDZ shingles $4,200 Labor (3-person crew, 2 days) $3,600 TOTAL $15,940 ### 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. SimplyWise Templates Blog Privacy (https://simplywise.com/privacy) Terms (https://simplywise.com/terms) --- ## About SimplyWise SimplyWise, Inc. (New York, NY) builds mobile apps for contractors, tradespeople, and small business owners. The SimplyWise Cost Estimator turns a job site photo into an itemized estimate with labor and material costs in about 6 seconds, and the client signs the branded quote to approve it. It is rated 4.8 on the App Store. It is free to try with a 7-day free trial, then $29.99 per month or $239.99 per year (about $20 per month on the annual plan), and one subscription includes every app in the SimplyWise suite. - Download: https://www.simplywise.com/download - App Store: https://apps.apple.com/us/app/simplywise-cost-estimator/id6670619664 - Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.simplywise.costestimator - Every SimplyWise page as plain text: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/llms.txt