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Free General Contractor Quote Template

Short answer

A general contractor quote splits the project into stages with trade costs, allowances and permits, plus a payment schedule, change-order terms and expiry.

A general contractor quote is really a small contract. It covers several trades, weeks of work and a budget the client has probably saved for, so the arguments it prevents are about scope, allowances and changes, not the headline number. A quote organised by stage, with each subcontracted trade visible and every allowance labelled, gives the client something they can follow week by week and gives you a clear basis when they ask for something extra halfway through.

Sample general contractor 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.

Stonebridge Builders

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

Quote

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

Prepared for

Elena and Tom Haverford

[Client address]

Job

Bathroom remodel, second floor

Example prices: replace with your own

DescriptionQtyAmount
Demolition and removal of existing bathroom fixtures and tile1 stage× $1,400.00$1,400.00
Dumpster rental and disposal1 week× $450.00$450.00
Plumbing rough-in and fixture connection (subcontractor)1 stage× $2,600.00$2,600.00
Electrical: fan, lighting and outlets (subcontractor)1 stage× $1,350.00$1,350.00
Cement board, waterproofing and tile installation85 sq ft× $22.00$1,870.00
Vanity, toilet and shower valve (allowance)1 allowance× $2,200.00$2,200.00
Drywall, prime and paint1 stage× $950.00$950.00
Project management and site supervision3 week× $600.00$1,800.00
Building permit (as charged by the local authority)1 fee× $380.00$380.00
Subtotal
$13,000.00
Tax (example rate 6%)
$780.00
Total
$13,780.00
Deposit due on acceptance (20%)
$2,756.00
  • Allowances are estimates; selections above or below the allowance are adjusted on the next stage invoice.
  • Changes to scope are priced as written change orders and agreed before work proceeds.
  • Removal of any hazardous material found during demolition is excluded and quoted separately.
  • This quote is valid until Nov 23, 2026.

Accepted by: Date:

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What to include in a general contractor quote

  • Stages, not one lump sum

    Demolition, rough-in, inspections, finishes. Stages match how the job runs and make a stage-based payment schedule natural.

  • Subcontracted trades

    Show plumbing, electrical and other trades as their own lines, so the client sees the whole job and you can swap or remove a trade cleanly.

  • Allowances for client choices

    Where the client has not chosen fixtures or tile yet, set an allowance figure and say that choices above it are billed as the difference.

  • Change orders

    Explain how changes work: any change to scope is priced in writing and agreed before the work is done, and may move the finish date.

  • Schedule and site rules

    Expected start, approximate duration, working hours, where the dumpster goes and how the site is protected and cleaned each day.

  • Permits, insurance and exclusions

    Who pulls the permits, that the work is inspected, and a short list of what is excluded, such as hazardous material removal or work outside the room.

How to write a general contractor quote, step by step

  1. Walk the site with the client

    Agree the scope in person, take measurements and photos, and note anything that could change the price, such as old wiring or a soft subfloor.

  2. Get your subcontractor prices

    Collect firm prices from each trade before you finalise, so your quote is not built on guesses.

  3. Build the quote stage by stage

    Group labour, materials and subcontractors under each stage, with your supervision and overhead as a visible line.

  4. Set allowances and exclusions

    Label every allowance, list what is excluded, and state your assumptions about what is behind the walls.

  5. Write the payment schedule

    Tie each payment to a stage the client can see completed, not to dates on a calendar.

  6. Review it together

    Go through the quote with the client before they sign. Questions answered now are disputes avoided later.

Deposits and payment terms

Stage payments suit most remodel work: a deposit on acceptance to secure the start date and order long-lead items, then payments as each stage is completed and inspected, with a final payment after the walk-through and punch list. The client pays for progress they can see, and you are never far ahead of the money.

Many places cap the deposit a contractor may take on home improvement work, or require particular wording and cancellation rights in the contract. Check the rules where you work, and set your default deposit and schedule to fit them.

Frequently asked questions

What is an allowance on a contractor quote?
A set amount for items the client has not chosen yet, such as tile or a vanity. If their choice costs more, they pay the difference; if it costs less, they get a credit. Allowances let you quote before every decision is made.
How should a general contractor handle change orders?
In writing, every time. Describe the change, its price and any effect on the schedule, and get the client's agreement before you start it. Then bill it on the next stage invoice as its own line.
Should I show my markup on subcontractors?
You do not have to show a markup percentage, but showing supervision and overhead as a line explains why your total is more than the sum of the trades. Clients accept a cost they can see more readily than one buried in every line.
How long should a remodel quote be valid?
Long enough for the client to decide, short enough that your subcontractor prices still hold. Thirty days is a common middle ground; tie it to how long your trades will hold their prices.

More templates and guides

Job done? Bill it with the matching invoiceFree General Contractor 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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