Construction estimate
For builders, remodelers and specialty contractors pricing a project from plans or a site visit. It separates labor, materials and subcontracted work, adds contingency and overhead and profit as percentages, lists exclusions in writing, and sets a payment schedule the owner signs.
- Fields
- 132
- Pages
- 4
- Paper
- Letter
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Reviewed
Before you start
What you need to fill it in
- Project address, owner details and the plans or specifications you priced from
- Labor by trade or task with hours and rates
- Material takeoff with quantities and unit costs
- Subcontractor and equipment rental prices
- Your contingency and overhead-and-profit percentages
- Exclusions, permit responsibilities and the payment schedule
What's inside
132 fields, ready to fill
- 103Typed answersnames, addresses, descriptions
- 4Dateschecked as real dates
- 22Calculatedfill themselves from other fields
- 1Choicescheckboxes, options, dropdowns
- 2Signaturessignature and initials
6 required — the editor counts down how many are left while you fill.
Instructions
How to fill out the Construction estimate
- 1
Describe the project
Enter the site address, project type and the drawings or specs you priced from, with their date or revision.
- 2
Price labor and materials
Fill the labor and materials tables. Each subtotal adds itself up.
- 3
Add subcontractors and equipment
Enter subcontractor bids and equipment rentals as lump sums.
- 4
Apply contingency and markup
Enter contingency % for unknowns and overhead & profit %. The estimate total is calculated from direct costs.
- 5
List exclusions
Write out what is not included, such as permits, landscaping or hazardous material removal. Exclusions prevent the most common disputes.
- 6
Set the payment schedule and sign
Fill the deposit and progress payment milestones, sign, and send to the owner for approval.
Fill it online
What filling it looks like
- Edit & fill, Invite to sign and Create form are three modes of the same editor
- Amounts are formula fields: they calculate as you type
- The field navigator counts what's left and jumps to the next field
Shown with our invoice template. Sample content; names are fictional.
Written for: General (US)
This is a general-purpose template. Check that its terms and fields match your situation and any rules that apply where you use it before you rely on it.
Written by PDFBetter and last reviewed October 15, 2026. Spotted a problem? Tell us.
Construction estimate: questions people ask
What is the difference between contingency and overhead and profit?
Contingency covers unknowns in the work itself. Overhead and profit covers your business costs (insurance, office, vehicles) and your margin.
Is the markup applied to contingency?
In this template, overhead and profit applies to direct costs plus contingency. Adjust your percentages if you price it differently.
Are there limits on deposits for home improvement work?
Yes, in some states. California, for example, limits home improvement deposits to 10% or $1,000, whichever is less. Check your state's contractor rules; this is not legal advice.
How long should an estimate be valid?
Material prices move, so many contractors use 30 days. Fill the valid-until date.
Should change orders reference this estimate?
Yes. Use the change order template and quote this estimate number so every change ties back to the original price.
Ready when you are
Fill the Construction estimate now — no account to start.