Home / Bid Proposal Template / Contractor

Free Contractor Bid Proposal Template

General contractors juggle materials, subcontractors, permits and labor on every job. A clear document that separates each cost line keeps the client informed and protects your margin when the scope changes. The template below is pre-filled with sample contractor line items — replace the prices with your own and download a PDF.

Loading editor…
Your Business
Bid Proposal
No. BID-1001
Date Oct 3, 2026
Valid until Nov 2, 2026
Prepared for
—
Job
Contractor bid proposal
DescriptionQtyRateAmount
Site preparation and demolition 1 job $1,850.00 $1,850.00
Framing labor 40 hr $65.00 $2,600.00
Lumber and fasteners 1 lot $2,400.00 $2,400.00
Electrical subcontractor 1 job $1,600.00 $1,600.00
Building permit and inspection fees no tax 1 ea $450.00 $450.00
Debris removal and dumpster rental 1 ea $525.00 $525.00
Subtotal$9,425.00
Total$9,425.00
Terms
This bid is based on the scope described above. Changes to the scope will be quoted separately.
Customer signature
Date
Made with HardHat Quote · hardhatquote.com

What to include in a contractor bid

  • A scope of work that names every phase, from demolition to final clean-up
  • Separate lines for labor, materials and subcontractors so changes are easy to price
  • Permit and inspection fees listed on their own, usually without tax
  • A payment schedule: deposit, progress payments and final balance
  • A change-order clause stating that extra work is billed separately

Sample contractor bid line items

Sample prices for illustration only. Your rates depend on your market, materials and labor costs.

Line itemQtyRateAmount
Site preparation and demolition1 job$1,850.00$1,850.00
Framing labor40 hr$65.00$2,600.00
Lumber and fasteners1 lot$2,400.00$2,400.00
Electrical subcontractor1 job$1,600.00$1,600.00
Building permit and inspection fees1 ea$450.00$450.00
Debris removal and dumpster rental1 ea$525.00$525.00

How to fill out this template

  1. Add your company details and license number
  2. Enter the project name, owner and site address
  3. Break the scope into line items
  4. List exclusions and assumptions in the notes
  5. Set how long the bid is valid, then download or send it

More contractor templates

Contractor Invoice TemplateContractor Estimate TemplateContractor Quote Template

Frequently asked questions

Should a contractor estimate include a payment schedule?

Yes. Most contractors ask for a deposit (often 10–30%) before ordering materials, progress payments at milestones, and the balance at completion. Put the deposit on the estimate so the client sees it before they approve.

What is the difference between a contractor estimate and a bid?

An estimate is an approximate price that can change as the job is better understood. A bid is a firm price submitted to win a job, often in competition with other contractors, and is usually binding once accepted.

Do I charge sales tax on labor?

It depends on your state. Many states tax materials but not labor, so mark labor lines as non-taxable when that applies to you. Check with your state revenue department.

What is included in a construction bid?

The project details, a detailed scope of work, pricing, exclusions, schedule, payment terms, how long the bid is valid and a place for acceptance.

How do I make my bid stand out?

Be specific about scope and exclusions, respond quickly, and make it easy to accept. A bid the owner can approve online often gets an answer faster.

Bid Proposal Templates for other trades

HVACRoofingPlumbingElectricalLandscapingLawn CarePaintingCleaningConcrete