Pricing construction work accurately is one of the most important steps before any project begins. A well-prepared construction quote helps set expectations, protect margins and establish trust with clients from the start. By clearly outlining costs, assumptions and scope, contractors can reduce disputes, speed approvals and move confidently from proposal to contract without misunderstandings.
What Is a Construction Quote?
A construction quote is a formal document that details the estimated cost of completing a specific construction project or scope of work. It itemizes labor, materials and other expenses, defines assumptions and provides clients with a clear price reference before work is authorized.
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Construction Quote Template
Use this free Construction Quote Template to manage your projects better.
When to Make a Construction Quote
Construction quotes are not limited to a single stage of the project lifecycle. They are used in multiple situations where cost clarity, formal approval or pricing commitment is required before work begins or decisions are finalized.
- Before submitting a bid for a private or negotiated project, when clients need a clear price breakdown to compare options and decide whether to move forward.
- After completing a site visit or reviewing drawings, once sufficient information is available to estimate costs accurately and reduce the risk of pricing assumptions.
- When a client requests pricing for a specific scope of work before signing a construction contract or issuing a formal notice to proceed.
- During project changes or additional work requests, where a revised construction quote is needed to price new scope before approving variations.
- For small or short-duration construction jobs that do not require a full proposal but still need documented pricing and client acceptance.
ProjectManager helps create a construction quote by turning estimates into structured, data-backed and defensible pricing. Task lists and Gantt charts, for example, allow construction teams to break down the job into detailed activities like site prep, framing, finishes and more. Each task becomes a clear cost line item, making it easier to explain and defend to owners. Get started today with a free 30-day trial.
What Should Be Included in a Construction Quote?
To be effective, a construction quote must do more than list prices. It should clearly identify the parties involved, define accountability and provide enough context to avoid confusion, disputes or misinterpretation before work begins.
Contractor and Client Information
At the top of any construction quote, contractor and client information establishes who is responsible for the work and who is authorizing it. This section creates legal and commercial clarity, ensuring the quote is traceable, verifiable and tied to the correct project and parties.
- Legal business name of the contractor
- Contractor address and contact details
- License number and registration information
- Client name or company name
- Client address and contact details
- Quote reference number or ID
- Date the construction quote was issued
Project Description
Rather than focusing on pricing, the project description provides context for what the construction quote applies to. It summarizes the nature of the work so clients understand what is being priced, helping align expectations before reviewing scope details or costs.
- Project name or reference
- Site location or address
- Type of construction work
- High-level overview of objectives
- Relevant drawings or document references
Scope of Work
Clarity matters most when defining responsibilities. The scope of work section spells out what tasks are included in the construction quote, preventing assumptions that could later lead to disputes, change orders or disagreements about what was priced.
- Detailed list of included construction activities
- Explicit exclusions
- Materials and finishes covered
- Labor responsibilities
- Referenced plans or specifications
Cost Breakdown
Clients often focus first on this section because it explains how the total price was built. A clear cost breakdown increases transparency, supports trust and helps clients understand where money is being allocated across construction activities.
- Labor costs
- Material costs
- Equipment or rental expenses
- Subcontractor costs
- Total quoted price
Payment Terms
How and when payments are made can impact both cash flow and project momentum. This section defines financial expectations upfront, reducing confusion and ensuring both parties agree on timing and payment structure before work begins.
- Payment schedule or milestones
- Deposit or upfront payment requirements
- Accepted payment methods
- Late payment conditions
- Retainage, if applicable
Project Assumptions and Constraints
Every construction quote is based on certain conditions. By documenting assumptions and constraints, contractors protect themselves against unforeseen changes while giving clients visibility into the factors that could affect pricing or delivery.
- Site access assumptions
- Working hours or scheduling limits
- Permits or approvals assumed
- Client-provided materials or information
- Validity period of the quote
Related: 39 Construction Documents (Templates Included)
Terms and Conditions
This section defines the legal framework governing the construction quote. While often overlooked, it establishes protections, limitations and expectations that apply if the quote is accepted and converted into a contract.
- Quote acceptance requirements
- Liability limitations
- Warranty or guarantee statements
- Dispute resolution terms
- Conditions for changes or cancellation
Construction Quote Template
This construction quote template captures vendor details, site information and pricing by material, labor and miscellaneous costs, presenting subtotals, taxes and totals to document scope, pricing assumptions and expiration terms. Download this free construction quote template for Excel to get started.
Construction Quote Example
To better understand construction quotes and to see what sections to include when putting one together, consider this construction quote example below.
Contractor and Client Information
| Contractor name | BuildRight Construction LLC |
| Contractor address | 789 Builder Lane |
| Client name | Oakwood Residential Development |
| Project location | 456 Residential Avenue |
| Quote reference | CQ-2025-014 |
| Quote date | 15/07/2025 |
Project Description
This quote covers construction works for a five-story residential building, including structural works, exterior envelope and interior fit-out. The project will be executed in accordance with approved drawings, specifications and applicable building codes.
Scope of Work
| Work category | Description | Included |
| Site preparation | Mobilization, temporary fencing and site setup | Yes |
| Structural works | Concrete structure, slabs, columns and beams | Yes |
| Exterior works | Facade, insulation, windows and roofing | Yes |
| Interior finishes | Drywall, flooring, painting and fixtures | Yes |
| MEP systems | Electrical, plumbing and HVAC installation | Yes |
Cost Breakdown
| Cost item | Description | Amount (EUR) |
| Labor | All trades and site supervision | 820,000 |
| Materials | Concrete, steel, finishes and fixtures | 1,050,000 |
| Equipment | Cranes, lifts and temporary equipment | 210,000 |
| Overhead | Project management and site facilities | 140,000 |
| Contingency | Unforeseen conditions allowance | 90,000 |
| Total quoted amount | — | 2,310,000 |
Payment Terms
| Payment milestone | Percentage | Timing |
| Mobilization payment | 10% | Upon contract signing |
| Progress payments | 80% | Monthly, based on progress |
| Final payment | 10% | Upon practical completion |
Project Assumptions and Constraints
| Assumption/constraint | Description |
| Design completeness | Quote based on issued-for-construction drawings |
| Site access | Normal working hours and unrestricted access assumed |
| Exclusions | Land acquisition, financing and furnishings excluded |
Terms and Conditions
This quote is valid for 30 days from the issue date. Any changes to scope, design or schedule may result in a revised quote. Work will commence upon written acceptance of this quote and execution of a formal construction contract.
More Free Construction Project Management Templates
We’ve created dozens of construction project management templates for Excel, Word and Google Sheets you can download for free.
Construction Scope of Work Template
One of the most important steps when making a construction quote is to clearly define the work that will be executed, to then identify the resources that will be needed and estimate their costs accordingly. This construction scope of work for Excel is ideal for this task as it helps identify project tasks, their resource requirements and costs.
Construction Estimate Template
As established above, costs are the core component of a construction quote, so the more accurate the cost estimation is, the more competitive the construction quote will be. This free construction estimate template is ideal for breaking down the costs associated with the different stages of a construction project and comparing planned vs. actual costs.
Construction Schedule Template
The schedule of a construction project greatly affects its labor and equipment costs as these are usually time-based, so when making a construction quote, it’s very important to have a clear, realistic and accurate construction schedule first. This free construction schedule template allows you to make a construction schedule using ProjectManager’s Gantt chart features such as critical path analysis, task dependencies, resource allocation and much more.
How ProjectManager Helps Make Accurate Construction Quotes
From in-depth scheduling to documentation, ProjectManager makes it seamless to create accurate construction quotes. Once the project starts, the software tracks actual labor hours, schedule performance, cost trends and more. Use this data to improve future construction quotes, ensuring each one is more accurate than the last.
Assign Resources and Estimated Hours to Tasks
Our built-in resource management tools, such as timesheets, the team page, the workload page and more, make it easy to adjust resources in real time. With these real-time insights, it’s easier to validate whether your quote is realistic based on workload.
Capture Risk & Contingency Drivers
The RAID log is the ideal place to track high-risk tasks, tight dependencies and potential project bottlenecks. If action needs to be taken, use the risk card to assign a priority, owner and plan to help mitigate the risk before it unfolds into a larger issue.
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ProjectManager is online construction project management software that connects teams, whether they’re in the office or on the job site. They can share files, comment at the task level and stay updated with email and in-app notifications. Get started with ProjectManager today for free.
