Free Contractor Proposal & Bid Template
A winning construction bid does two jobs: it proves you understood the project, and it protects you when the project changes. This template covers both — scope, exclusions, allowances, and payment schedule — the four sections where contractors lose money.
What a winning contractor proposal includes
1.Project Overview
Restate the job in your own words — the client is checking whether you actually listened during the walkthrough. Include the address, structures affected, and the outcome the client wants.
2.Scope of Work
Itemize by phase: demo, rough-in, finish. Every line here is something you've committed to; anything not listed belongs in Exclusions.
3.Exclusions & Allowances
The section that prevents disputes. Name what's NOT included (permits, disposal, unforeseen structural issues) and set dollar allowances for materials the client hasn't chosen yet.
4.Timeline
Start window, major milestones, weather/inspection caveats. A range beats a date you'll miss.
5.Pricing & Payment Schedule
Tie payments to milestones (deposit, rough-in complete, final walkthrough) — never to calendar dates. State your change-order rate up front.
6.Terms & Signature
License and insurance numbers, warranty period, and a signature block. Bids signed on the spot close at a much higher rate.
Skip the template — generate a finished proposal in 30 seconds
BidSimple writes a complete, branded proposal from a short description of the job — your services, your rates, ready to send and e-sign. Free, no credit card.
Generate My Proposal — FreePricing tips for contractors
- ✓Price change orders in the original bid (e.g. "work beyond scope billed at $95/hr + materials") — it's ten times easier than negotiating mid-project.
- ✓A 10% deposit filters out non-serious clients without scaring off good ones.
- ✓Show the total AND the phase breakdown; clients accept big numbers more readily when they can see where each dollar goes.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a bid and a proposal?
A bid is a price for a defined scope; a proposal also sells your approach, timeline, and qualifications. For competitive residential work, send a proposal — you're rarely the cheapest, so give the client a reason to pick you anyway.
Should I itemize my construction bid?
Itemize by phase, not by line item. Full line-item transparency invites nickel-and-diming; phase-level pricing shows structure while protecting your margins.
How fast should I send a bid after a walkthrough?
Within 24–48 hours. Bid speed is one of the strongest predictors of close rate — clients read slow bids as a preview of slow work.
Skip the template — generate a finished proposal in 30 seconds
BidSimple writes a complete, branded proposal from a short description of the job — your services, your rates, ready to send and e-sign. Free, no credit card.
Generate My Proposal — Free