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Free Carpentry Quote Template

Short answer

A carpentry quote sets out the design, timber and hardware, workshop and fitting hours, finish, and a deposit for materials, with a date the price holds until.

Custom carpentry is sold on a picture in the client's head, and the quote is where that picture meets your cutting list. Shelving that "goes up to the ceiling" might mean scribing around a crooked cornice; cupboards "painted to match" might mean a primed finish or a full spray. A carpentry quote that names the materials, the finish and the drawing it is based on stops the job turning into a negotiation halfway through the build, and lets the client compare your price with a flat-pack alternative on what actually matters.

Sample carpentry quote

Copy the text, print it, or fill it in online with your own business details, prices and logo. The business and client below are made up.

Oak & Ash Joinery

[Street address, city]
[Phone] · [Email]

Quote

Number
Q-1042
Date
Oct 24, 2026
Valid until
Nov 23, 2026

Prepared for

Helen Kowalczyk

[Client address]

Job

Built-in alcove shelving and cupboards, living room

Example prices: replace with your own

DescriptionQtyAmount
Measure, design drawing and material list1 job× $120.00$120.00
Birch plywood sheets, 18mm6 sheet× $92.00$552.00
Hardwood lipping and face frames1 lot× $145.00$145.00
Soft-close hinges, handles and shelf pins1 set× $85.00$85.00
Workshop build: carcasses and doors14 hour× $60.00$840.00
On-site fitting and scribing to walls8 hour× $60.00$480.00
Fill, sand and prime ready for painting1 job× $180.00$180.00
Delivery and removal of offcuts1 trip× $65.00$65.00
Subtotal
$2,467.00
Tax (example rate 8%)
$197.36
Total
$2,664.36
Deposit due on acceptance (40%)
$1,065.74
  • Based on drawing rev. B dated with this quote; changes after cutting are priced as extras.
  • Finish: filled, sanded and primed, ready for the client's decorator.
  • Estimated lead time: three weeks from deposit to fitting.
  • This quote is valid until Nov 23, 2026.

Accepted by: Date:

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What to include in a carpentry quote

  • The drawing or description it is based on

    Reference the sketch, drawing or measurements you agreed, with key dimensions. If the design changes, the quote changes with it.

  • Timber and sheet materials by type

    Say what the job is made from: solid oak, birch plywood, MDF for painting. Clients compare quotes on price; naming the material shows what they are comparing.

  • Hardware and fittings

    Hinges, runners, handles and brackets vary a lot in price and quality. List them, or give an allowance if the client has not chosen yet.

  • Workshop time and site time

    Separate the hours spent building in the workshop from the hours fitting on site. It explains why the job costs more than the materials and helps the client plan for you being in the house.

  • The finish

    Raw, primed, painted, oiled or lacquered: say exactly where your work ends. "Ready for decorating" and "fully painted" are very different prices.

  • Lead time and deposit

    Give the expected build and fit dates and the deposit needed to order materials and book workshop time.

How to write a carpentry quote, step by step

  1. Measure carefully on site

    Measure the space, check walls and floors for level and plumb, and note skirting, sockets and pipes that the piece must work around.

  2. Agree the design

    Sketch or draw the piece with the client and confirm dimensions, door styles and internal layout before you price it.

  3. Build a cutting list and price materials

    Work out sheets, boards and hardware from the design, add an allowance for waste, and price them at what you will pay plus any handling charge.

  4. Estimate workshop and fitting hours

    Price the build and the fit separately, including finishing time and making good around the piece.

  5. Add delivery and clear-up

    Delivery, offcut removal and any fixings or adhesives belong on the quote rather than appearing later.

  6. Write terms and send with the drawing

    Attach or reference the drawing, set the deposit and payment stages, the expiry date, and how design changes after acceptance are priced.

Deposits and payment terms

Bespoke work is made for one client and rarely resellable, so a deposit on acceptance is common, often enough to cover the materials you order. A larger job can be split into a deposit, a stage payment when the piece is built in the workshop, and the balance after fitting.

State on the quote that changes to the agreed design after materials are cut will be priced as extras. If the client wants to supply their own timber or hardware, say who is responsible if it is not suitable. Rules on deposits for home improvement work differ by place, so check what applies where you work.

Frequently asked questions

How do I price a custom carpentry job?
Price materials from a cutting list with a waste allowance, add hardware, then estimate workshop and fitting hours at your rate. Add delivery, finishing and making good. Pricing each part separately helps you see where a job is losing money.
Should I charge for design drawings?
Many carpenters include a simple sketch in the quote and charge for detailed design work, sometimes deducting it from the job price if the client goes ahead. Say which you do before you start drawing.
What if the walls are not straight?
They rarely are. Include scribing and fitting time in the price, and add an assumption to the quote for anything you cannot see, such as the condition of the wall behind the plaster.

More templates and guides

Job done? Bill it with the matching invoiceFree Carpentry Invoice Template

Templates for related trades

Further reading

Send it as a branded quote your client accepts online

i-quote puts your logo on the quote, takes an optional deposit, and lets the client accept or decline online. One click turns the accepted quote into an invoice. The Free plan includes 3 quotes and 3 invoices a month.

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