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Free construction estimate template
A construction estimate broken down by trade, from demolition through framing, rough-ins, drywall and finishes, with a contingency line. Fill it in and print it or save it as a PDF, free.
Worked example
Construction estimate example
Basement finish, 800 sq ft, one bathroom. The rates are round example figures to show the layout, not a price for your area or ours.
| Line | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition and disposal | 1 lot | $2,400.00 | $2,400.00 |
| Framing, labour and materials | 800 sq ft | $6.00 | $4,800.00 |
| Electrical rough-in and finish, licensed | 1 lot | $5,200.00 | $5,200.00 |
| Plumbing rough-in and fixtures, bathroom | 1 lot | $6,800.00 | $6,800.00 |
| Insulation and vapour barrier | 800 sq ft | $2.40 | $1,920.00 |
| Drywall, tape and finish | 2600 sq ft | $3.20 | $8,320.00 |
| Flooring, supplied and installed | 800 sq ft | $9.00 | $7,200.00 |
| Permits and inspections | 1 lot | $900.00 | $900.00 |
| Contingency, 10%, used only with your approval | 1 lot | $5,000.00 | $5,000.00 |
| Subtotal | $42,540.00 | ||
| Tax 13% | $5,530.20 | ||
| Total | $48,070.20 |
How do you write a construction estimate?
Go through the job in the order it gets built: demolition, framing, mechanical rough-ins, insulation, drywall, finishes. Give each stage its own line with the quantity and rate, or a lump sum where a subcontractor quoted one. Then add permits, site supervision and a contingency. The order matters, because it is also the order the client will see the money go.
Why is there a contingency line?
Renovations open walls, and walls hide things: old wiring, a sagging joist, a drain at the wrong slope. A contingency of 10 to 15 percent, written on the estimate and spent only with approval, turns the surprise into a decision the client already agreed could happen. Hiding it inside other rates gives you the same money and a worse conversation.
Construction estimate or quote?
On anything with hidden conditions, estimate. On new work where you control every variable, quote. Plenty of builders do both on one job: a fixed quote for the known scope, and estimated allowances for the unknowns. The template handles either. Change the word at the top of the sheet.
How do I turn this into a PDF?
Fill in the sheet, press "Print or save as PDF", and pick "Save as PDF" (or "Microsoft Print to PDF") as the printer. Only the sheet prints: the page around it, the buttons and the remove marks are left off. On a phone, the share button in the print preview sends the PDF straight to email or WhatsApp.
When a PDF is not enough
Know when the client opened it
- A quotation portal: send a link, see when it is opened, take the deposit online
- The other free tools
- Send the address of your current site and get a direction and a basic build back in 48 hours.