Free Freelance Quote Template

Short answer

A freelance quote defines the deliverables, whether you charge by the hour or the project, the rounds of edits included, the deadline and the payment terms.

Freelance work covers everything from copywriting to bookkeeping to video editing, but the same few things decide whether a project goes smoothly: a scope both sides can read the same way, a clear choice between hourly and fixed pricing, and payment terms agreed before the work starts. A freelance quote is where those get written down. It is also your best defence against the project that quietly doubles in size while the fee stays the same.

Sample freelance 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.

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What to include in a freelance quote

  • Deliverables in plain words

    Describe each output as the client will receive it: "12 product descriptions, up to 150 words each", not "copywriting". Counted deliverables make extra requests visible.

  • Hourly or fixed price, stated

    If you charge by the hour, give the rate and an estimated range of hours. If you charge by the project, say that the price covers the listed deliverables only.

  • Rounds of edits or revisions

    Say how many rounds of changes are included and what further rounds cost, so feedback has a natural end.

  • Timeline and dependencies

    A delivery date, and what you need from the client to meet it: a brief, access, feedback within a set number of days.

  • Payment terms and late payment

    Deposit, when the rest is due, and how late payment is handled. If you add a late fee, state how it is calculated and keep it within the rules where you work.

  • Ownership and confidentiality

    When the client owns the work (often on payment in full), whether you may mention them as a client, and any confidentiality they need.

How to write a freelance quote, step by step

  1. Restate the brief

    Open the quote with two or three sentences describing the project as you understand it. Misunderstandings surface before any work is done.

  2. Choose your pricing model

    Fixed price for well-defined deliverables, hourly for open-ended or ongoing work. Mixing them is fine if each line says which it is.

  3. List and count deliverables

    One line per type of deliverable, with a quantity and unit price, so the client can scale the project up or down.

  4. Add revision limits and extras

    Write down the included rounds and the rate for extra work, before anyone needs it.

  5. Set terms and dates

    Deposit, due dates, delivery date and how long the quote stays valid.

  6. Ask for a clear yes

    End with how the client confirms: accepting the quote, replying in writing or signing it. Start work only once that has happened.

Deposits and payment terms

A deposit before you start is reasonable for a new client or a project longer than a couple of weeks; it confirms the client is serious and keeps you from carrying all the risk. For ongoing work, billing monthly for the previous month, or in advance for a fixed retainer, keeps the amounts predictable.

Net 30 is common with businesses, and shorter terms such as 14 days are increasingly normal for freelancers. Whichever you choose, put it on the quote so the client's accounts team sees the same term on the quote and on every invoice.

Frequently asked questions

Should a freelancer quote hourly or per project?
Per project works when the deliverables are clear and you can estimate the effort; the client gets certainty and you are rewarded for working efficiently. Hourly suits work where the scope is genuinely unknown. You can also quote a project price with an hourly rate for anything outside it.
How do I stop scope creep on a freelance project?
Count the deliverables and revision rounds on the quote, and price additional work before you do it. When a new request arrives, reply with a short add-on quote rather than absorbing it.
Should I ask a new client for a deposit?
For a new client, a deposit is a sensible way to share the risk. Put the amount and the due date on the quote, and start work once it has been paid.

More templates and guides

Job done? Bill it with the matching invoiceFree Freelance 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.