What goes on a general contractor estimate
General contractor estimates have to explain two things homeowners often misread: allowances and the payment schedule. The template has an allowance line with a note that the difference between allowance and actual cost is added or credited on the final invoice, and terms that set out deposit, progress payments and balance.
Subcontracted plumbing and electrical sit on their own lines, so the customer sees the whole job in one document even when other trades do the work.
The lines in this template
| Line | Unit | Taxable by default |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition and disposal | lot | No |
| Framing | sq ft | No |
| Plumbing (subcontract) | lot | No |
| Electrical (subcontract) | lot | No |
| Drywall, tape and finish | sq ft | No |
| FlooringMaterial and pattern | sq ft | Yes |
| Cabinets and countertops | lot | Yes |
| Fixtures and finishes allowanceBilled at actual cost against the allowance | allowance | Yes |
| Project management | lot | No |
| Permits | each | No |
10 lines, prices left blank for yours. “Taxable” is only the starting tick, so match it to your state’s rules.
Tips from the trade
- Use allowances for anything the client still has to choose, and say how differences are settled.
- Set a deposit on the estimate; it becomes “deposit received” on the invoice.
- For progress billing, duplicate the invoice for each milestone and edit the lines.
Questions people ask
What is an allowance on a contractor estimate?
A budget for something the client hasn’t picked yet, such as tile or light fixtures. If the final choice costs more or less, the difference is added to or taken off the final invoice. The template’s notes say this in plain words.
How do I bill progress payments?
Turn the estimate into an invoice for the first milestone and edit the lines or use a percentage discount, then use Duplicate in My documents for the next milestone. Each one keeps its own number.
Should subcontracted work appear on my estimate?
Yes, as its own lines, like the plumbing and electrical subcontract lines in this template. The customer sees the whole job in one document, and you can still decide whether to show the sub’s name in the detail field.
How long should a remodel estimate be valid?
Long enough for the customer to decide, short enough that material prices still hold. The template’s terms say 30 days. For long projects, say which prices are fixed and which are allowances.
Can I turn the estimate into an invoice when the job is done?
Yes. Click “Turn into invoice”. The client, scope and prices carry over, the estimate number is noted on the invoice, and any deposit you asked for is shown as received so the invoice shows the balance due.