Free Construction Bid Template

How to write a construction bid template

Save time and write better bids with our free construction bid form template. Here’s how to use it:

1. Download the free construction bid template PDF file and save it to your computer. Include “construction bid” and the client’s name in the file name to keep your documents organized.
2. Add your construction business name, office address (if you have one), phone number, email, and website so clients can reach out if they have any questions.
3. Enter your client’s contact info, including their name, address, phone number, and email.
4. Outline the project timeline and list the services provided. Provide a summary of the work you plan to do and when you’ll do it.
5. Include pricing details such as labor, materials, and permit fees. List payment timelines and describe your terms and conditions so customers know how much they’ll pay and when.
6. Highlight any certifications, licenses, and/or awards your team has earned.
7. Save the bid as a PDF file and send it to the prospective client via email or text for review and sign-off.

To make your bid proposals more convincing, attach images of past construction projects and supporting documents like customer reviews, warranties, and permits. These additions will build credibility and show the quality of your work upfront.

What’s included in the construction bid template?

This template helps you create detailed, clear bids that stand out and earn trust. It’s easy to customize and includes everything you need to show you’re the right pro for the job.

This construction bid template includes the following easy-to-edit structured sections:

• Your business name and contact details
• Client contact information
• A high-level project summary
• Detailed information about the construction timeline, offered services, and pricing
• Relevant certifications, licenses, and/or awards
• Terms and conditions the client should know about
• A signature page for both you and your prospective client to sign
  

RELATED TOOL: Try our free construction proposal template

Construction bid best practices 

Looking to score new projects and reduce back-and-forth with potential clients? Follow these best practices when writing your next construction bid:

• Keep it simple and professional. Use plain language and clear formatting so it’s easy for clients to read and understand.
• Include the correct contact details. Ensure your company information and client details are accurate. It should be clear who the bid is for and how to reach you.
• Be specific about the work. Outline the project timeline and list what construction services are included (and which ones aren’t) to avoid confusion and disputes later on.
• Break down your service pricing. Factor in materials, labor, and extras (like permits and dump fees) so clients get the full picture on costs.
• Separate subcontractor and line-item costs. List major costs individually, including subcontractor work, materials, labor, equipment, and other project expenses.
• Price your services right. Overbidding can lose you the job, and underbidding can cost you money. Ensure your pricing is accurate to protect your construction profit margins.
• Attach social proof. Customer reviews and before-and-after images of past projects can easily boost your credibility and give you a competitive edge.

With our construction project bid template, you’ll save time and send more professional, polished bids. Or, try Jobber’s quoting software to automate your entire bidding process.

Bid vs. estimate: what’s the difference?

Bids and estimates are similar ways to share pricing with a customer, but they have different purposes.

A construction bid is a formal quote with your best price for a specific project. It’s often used for competitive bidding situations where clients are reviewing multiple bids from different contractors before deciding who to hire.

A construction estimate gives a rough ballpark price on your service. It’s flexible, not final, and it’s not legally binding. That’s good news for clients who are still exploring their options.

When to send a bid vs. an estimate

As a general rule, send an estimate at a potential client’s request to help them understand what a project might cost. This is best when the project is in the planning stages and details are still being finalized.

When you’re competing with other general contractors for a project, you can send a bid once the project scope, pricing, timeline, and terms are defined. At that point, you have enough information to provide a specific price so the client can make a decision.

Types of construction bids

Construction bids can take different forms, depending on how project costs are calculated and how much pricing certainty the client needs. This can include bid types like the ones below:

• Lump-sum (fixed-price) bids give the client one fixed price for completing the defined scope of work. They’re commonly used when the project scope and costs are clear enough to set a total price upfront, such as a kitchen remodel or new home construction.
• Unit-price bids list a set price for each unit of work or material, with the final project cost based on unit quantities. They’re useful when the exact quantity is difficult to determine upfront, like excavation and grading or concrete work priced by cubic yard.
• Cost-plus bids charge the client for the actual project costs, plus an agreed-upon markup or fee for your services. This type of bid makes sense when project costs are uncertain or the scope might change, like large renovation or restoration projects.

Quoting software like Jobber lets you save a template for each bid type, so you can build and send the right format faster.