# Free General Contractor Estimate Template | Download PDF, Excel, Sheets Canonical URL: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/general-estimate-template/ Plain text: https://www.simplywise.com/blog/general-estimate-template/llms.txt Publisher: SimplyWise, Inc. (https://www.simplywise.com) Published: April 17, 2026 Updated: September 11, 2026 Summary: Download a free general contractor estimate template. Professional PDF, Excel, and Google Sheets formats for residential and commercial bids. --- Templates > Estimating > General Estimate ## Free General Contractor Estimate 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. CONTRACTOR ESTIMATE Precision Contracting LLC Client: The Rodriguez Family 5612 Sunset Blvd, San Diego, CA 92101 Date: April 15, 2026 | Valid for 30 days Demo + site prep $3,200 Materials (lumber, hardware, fixtures) $8,500 Subcontractors (electrical + plumbing) $6,400 Finish work (drywall, paint, trim) $4,800 Labor (GC crew, 12 days) $9,600 Permits + dumpster + cleanup $1,500 TOTAL $34,000 Trusted by 10,000+ contractors ⭐ 4.8 Stars πŸ“± App Store πŸ“± Google Play ## What Every General Contractor Estimate Should Include βœ“ Company name, license number, and contact info βœ“ Client name and project address βœ“ Detailed scope of work broken down by phase and trade βœ“ Materials, fixtures, and finish selections with allowances βœ“ Labor hours and crew size with daily rates βœ“ Subcontractor costs itemized by trade βœ“ Markup and profit margin (typically 15-25%) βœ“ Subtotal, tax, and grand total βœ“ Payment schedule (deposit, progress, final) βœ“ Estimate validity period (30-60 days) βœ“ Terms, warranty, insurance, and permits βœ“ Signature line for client approval ## How to Write a General Contractor Estimate in 5 Steps ### Step 1: Walk the Project with the Client Meet on-site and go room by room. Understand exactly what the client wants changed, kept, or improved. Take measurements, photos, and notes on finishes they like. A thorough walkthrough prevents 80% of scope disputes. ### Step 2: Break Down by Trade Organize your estimate by trade: demo, framing, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall, paint, flooring, trim. Get sub quotes for each specialty trade. For work your crew handles directly, itemize materials and labor separately. ### Step 3: Calculate Materials and Labor Pull material quantities from your takeoff. Get current pricing from suppliers since prices change monthly. For labor, estimate hours by task. A kitchen remodel typically takes 3-4 weeks with 2-3 crew members. Be realistic, not optimistic. ### Step 4: Add Overhead and Profit Include supervision time, truck and tool costs, insurance, and general conditions. Then add your profit margin (15-25% for residential). On a $35,000 remodel, 20% margin is $7,000. Do not forget permit costs and dumpster rental. ### Step 5: Present It Professionally Send a clean, itemized PDF within 48 hours. Walk the client through it in person or on a call. Don’t just email and hope. Explain each line item. Clients who understand the costs are more likely to accept the price. ## Average Remodel and Renovation Costs to Guide Your Estimates Use these benchmarks as starting points. Actual costs vary by region, materials, and job complexity. | Job Type | Material Cost | Labor Cost | Total Range | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Kitchen remodel (mid-range) | $12,000 – $25,000 | $10,000 – $18,000 | $25,000 – $50,000 | | Bathroom remodel (full) | $5,000 – $12,000 | $5,000 – $10,000 | $12,000 – $25,000 | | Basement finishing (800 sq ft) | $8,000 – $15,000 | $8,000 – $12,000 | $18,000 – $30,000 | | Deck build (300 sq ft composite) | $4,500 – $9,000 | $3,000 – $6,000 | $9,000 – $18,000 | | Home addition (200 sq ft) | $18,000 – $35,000 | $15,000 – $25,000 | $35,000 – $65,000 | | Interior renovation (whole home) | $30,000 – $60,000 | $20,000 – $40,000 | $55,000 – $110,000 | Costs vary by region. Get a location-specific estimate in 6 seconds with SimplyWise Cost Estimator β†’ ## Estimating Best Practices for General Contractors ### Use allowances for client-selected items Fixtures, tile, countertops. Let clients choose. Set an allowance ($3,000 for kitchen counters) and note that overages are additional. It keeps your bid accurate while giving clients flexibility. ### Always include a project timeline Week-by-week schedule alongside your estimate. Clients want to know when it starts, how long each phase takes, and when they get their space back. It shows you’ve planned the job, not just priced it. ### Get sub quotes, don’t guess Your estimate is only as good as your sub numbers. Guessing at electrical or plumbing costs is how GCs lose money. Send plans to 3 subs per trade and use real numbers. ### Include clear payment milestones Tie payments to completed phases: deposit (25%), demo complete (15%), rough-in complete (25%), finishes (25%), final walkthrough (10%). Both parties know what triggers each payment. ### Document everything with photos Before, during, and after. Photos of hidden conditions (mold, rot, outdated wiring) justify change orders. A photo timeline also builds client trust and makes a great portfolio piece. ### Build in a change order process Define how changes are handled: written request, approved price before work starts, signed by both parties. Verbal while-you’re-here changes are the #1 profit killer for GCs. ## 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 quote? How detailed should a contractor estimate be? Should I charge for estimates? What file formats can I download this template in? What’s a typical general contractor markup? ## More Free Templates for Contractors CONSTRUCTION BID Cornerstone Builders Site prep + demolition $12,000 Framing + rough-in $48,000 Materials allowance $35,000 BID TOTAL $142,800 ### Construction Bid Template Competitive bid template with scope, exclusions, alternates, and commercial terms built in. 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. PAINTING ESTIMATE Premier Painting Co. Interior walls (1,200 sq ft) $1,440 Primer + 2 coats latex $960 Labor (2-person crew) $3,200 TOTAL $7,450 ### Painting Estimate Template Interior and exterior painting with sq ft calculator, prep work line items, and regional paint pricing. ## 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