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- Estimate generator
Free Estimate Generator
Give your client a clear idea of the cost before you start. Break down labor and materials, set how long the estimate is valid, and download a PDF.
Your recent documents
Open My documents →Private by design
No sign-up, no upload. Your documents are stored in your own browser.
Autosaves everything
Close the tab, come back tomorrow: your work is still here, with a full history.
Real PDFs
Crisp, searchable PDF files that print well, in A4 or US Letter.
Remembers you
Your details, logo, tax and bank info carry over to the next invoice.
How to make an estimate
- Add your business details, license number if your trade needs one (as a custom field), and your logo.
- Add the client under “Prepared for”, and the job name or site address under “Project”.
- Set the valid-until date. Material prices move, so an estimate should not stand forever.
- List labor and materials separately. For example “Labor – demolition, 16 hours” and “Drywall sheets, 24”. It makes the total easier to understand and easier to adjust.
- Add tax and any discount. Rules on taxing labor and materials differ by place, so set the rate per line if you need to.
- Spell out assumptions in the notes. Access, permits, what happens if you find hidden damage.
- Download the PDF. It includes an acceptance line so the client can sign to go ahead.
What a good estimate includes
- Estimate number and date: so revisions are easy to tell apart.
- Job description: where the work is and what it covers.
- Labor: hours or days and the rate, or a price per task.
- Materials: quantities and unit prices, or an allowance where the client has not chosen yet.
- Exclusions: what is not included, such as disposal, permits or finish work.
- What could change the price: for example, a contingency for unknowns, or a note that changes requested later are billed extra.
- Valid until: usually 14–30 days.
Estimate vs quote
Both come before the work, but they promise different things.
| Estimate | Quote | |
|---|---|---|
| What it gives | An approximate cost | A fixed price |
| Final bill | Can differ, ideally within an agreed range | Should match unless the scope changes |
| Best when | The job has unknowns (repairs, renovation) | The scope is clear and well defined |
If you are confident in the scope and want to commit to a price, use the quote generator instead. Either way, tell the client how you will handle changes before you start.
From estimate to invoice
When the job is done, open My documents and choose Turn into an invoice on the estimate. The client and line items are copied into a new invoice, so you only adjust the quantities that changed. For longer jobs billed in stages, see the contractor invoice template.
Estimates are saved in your browser as you type and nothing is uploaded. Item descriptions you use often, such as your standard labor lines, autocomplete next time.
Questions people ask
Is the estimate generator free?
Yes. There is no account, no watermark and no limit.
Is an estimate legally binding?
Usually less so than a quote, because it is understood to be approximate. Some places limit how far a final bill may exceed a written estimate, so check local rules if you work in a regulated trade.
How do I show labor and materials separately?
Add them as separate lines, or group them with descriptions like “Labor – …” and “Materials – …”. You can also rename column labels, for example “Qty” to “Hours”.
Can the client sign the estimate?
Yes. The PDF has an “Accepted by” line with space for a name, signature and date.
How long should an estimate be valid?
Often 14–30 days. Use a shorter period when material prices are volatile.
Can I turn an estimate into an invoice?
Yes. Choose Turn into an invoice in My documents and a new invoice is created from it.
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