Professional estimate templates that get you paid faster

A job estimation is a file that outlines the scope and projected costs of an assignment.

Its intended audience is the client who requested the service. A representative of a small business is responsible for creating the document and discussing it with the client.

Estimation serves as a foundational tool for businesses and contractors to communicate the expected scope, timeline, and cost of a job before any work begins. It helps set clear expectations with clients, allowing them to make informed decisions, compare service providers, and plan budgets accordingly.

A well-crafted estimate demonstrates professionalism and transparency — both essential for building trust and winning new work.

1. Preliminary Estimate: A rough, early-stage estimate typically created before detailed project information is available. It helps stakeholders decide whether to pursue the project further and allocate an initial budget.
2. Detailed Estimate: A comprehensive estimate that breaks down all aspects of a job — materials, labor, time, permits, and overhead. It's used when the full scope is known and is often the version presented to clients or decision-makers.
3. Quantity Estimate (Quantity Takeoff): Focuses on the specific quantities of materials and labor required for a job. Common in construction, it helps calculate direct costs based on itemized components.
4. Analogous Estimate (Top-Down): Based on historical data from similar past projects. It uses expert judgment and comparative analysis rather than precise data, making it useful when speed is more important than accuracy.

An estimating software is an online tool or mobile app that helps businesses, contractors, and freelancers create accurate job estimates or quotes quickly and efficiently.

Instead of building an estimate manually, estimating software automates the process—calculating costs, adding markups, including taxes, and organizing itemized details in a professional, printable format.

Some common features are:

• Templates: for different job types (construction, repairs, cleaning).
• Item libraries: for labor, materials, and service costs.
• Tax and markup calculators.
• Customization: with logos, business info, and client details.
• Conversion to invoice: once the estimate is approved.

1. Unit Price Estimating: This method breaks down the job into individual tasks or components (units), each with a specific cost. You calculate the total by multiplying the number of units by the unit price. It's commonly used in construction, where pricing per square foot or per item (like outlets or fixtures) is standard.
2. Lump Sum Estimating: Also known as a fixed-price estimate, this method provides a single total price for the entire job based on a detailed scope of work. It’s useful when the job scope is well-defined and unlikely to change, making it ideal for smaller projects or clients who prefer knowing the full cost upfront.
3. Time and Materials (T&M) Estimating: This approach calculates the estimate based on the expected labor hours and material costs. The client is typically billed for actual time spent and materials used. It offers flexibility and is commonly used when project scopes are uncertain or may change during execution.