Free estimate generator for contractors
Build itemized construction estimates online. Add your cost to each line and see your total profit before you send. Your customer sees the price, not your costs. Print or save as PDF, no account required.
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Create your estimate
Open the free generator to add your job details, customize the pricing, and prepare an estimate you can print or save as a PDF.
Create a free estimateNo signup. No usage limits.
Create an estimate in three steps
- 1
Enter your details
Add your business and customer information, upload your logo, and enter the estimate details.
- 2
Build your estimate
Describe the work, add quantities and prices, and include taxes, discounts, notes, and terms. Add your costs to each line to see your margin and profit. Your customer never sees them.
- 3
Review and share
Check the finished document, then print it or save it as a PDF. Reopen saved estimates from My documents, or copy one to an invoice.
What should a contractor estimate include?
A good estimate makes it clear what work you’re proposing, what it will cost, and what the customer can expect. The details vary by job, but most contractor estimates should include the following.
Customer and project information
Include your business name and contact information, the customer’s details, and enough information to identify the job. Add an estimate number and date so the document is easy to reference later.
Scope of work
Describe the proposed work in clear terms. Identify the major tasks and materials, and explain any important assumptions or exclusions. A detailed scope helps prevent confusion when the job begins.
Labor, materials, and pricing
Break down the work into understandable line items. Include quantities, unit prices, and applicable taxes or discounts. Make sure the total reflects the work you’ve described.
Use the job pricing calculator to work out what to charge based on your costs and target profit.
Dates and terms
Include an expiration date if the pricing is valid for a limited period. Add any relevant payment terms, scheduling assumptions, or other conditions the customer should understand.
Know your profit before you send an estimate
See how a bathroom vanity replacement breaks down. Your customer sees the price of each item. You see your costs, profit, and margin—all in one place.
| Line item | Qty | Price | Your cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove and dispose of old vanity | 1 | $175 | $70 |
| 36" vanity cabinet with quartz top | 1 | $1,150 | $820 |
| Faucet and drain assembly | 1 | $240 | $150 |
| Installation labor (hours) | 6 | $570 | $270 |
| Plumbing reconnection | 1 | $225 | $90 |
| Total | $2,360 | $1,400 |
Total profit: $960 · Profit margin: 41%
See where your profit is going
The estimate shows a healthy 41% profit margin, but not every item is equally profitable. The vanity cabinet costs $820 and sells for $1,150, leaving $330 in profit.
By tracking costs alongside prices, you can spot low-margin items, adjust your pricing, and protect your profit before sending the estimate.
Estimate vs. quote vs. bid
Contractors often use these terms interchangeably, but customers can read them differently.
- An estimate is your expected cost based on what you know now. The final price can change if the scope or conditions change.
- A quote is a firmer price for a defined scope.
- A bid is a formal price submitted for a specific project, often in competition with other contractors.
Whatever you call it, spell out the scope, what the price assumes, and your terms.
The estimate is the easy part
You send the PDF, then you wait. The customer asks for a change, you send a new version, and a week later nobody's sure which one they agreed to. When the job's done, you retype the same line items into an invoice and start chasing payment.
Cinderblock takes over from there. Send the estimate as a link. Your customer approves and signs it online. Turn it into an invoice without retyping a line, and get paid online.
| Capability | Estimate generator | Cinderblock |
|---|---|---|
| Professional estimate | ✓Available | ✓Available |
| Print or save as PDF | ✓Available | ✓Available |
| Save and edit estimates | Saved in your browser | Saved in the cloud |
| Customer and job profiles | –Not available | ✓Available |
| Send estimates by email or web link | –Not available | ✓Available |
| Collect digital signatures | –Not available | ✓Available |
| Create invoices from estimates | Copy to Invoice | Integrated invoicing |
| Progress invoicing and payment tracking | –Not available | ✓Available |
| Collect payments online | –Not available | ✓Available |
| Job management | –Not available | ✓Available |
Stop retyping estimates into invoices.
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Create an estimate now
Build a contractor estimate for free, with no account required.