Carpentry estimate template

Download the Carpentry estimate template

The same sample document in two formats. The PDF is what a finished estimate looks like; the spreadsheet has live formulas, so change a quantity or a rate and the totals follow.

No signup, no email, no watermark. Sample figures — edit everything. Opens in Excel, Numbers and Google Sheets.

See this estimate filled in, in the builder — the same sample, editable.

What a Carpentry estimate needs on it

Carpentry estimates cover two different jobs at two different rates. Rough framing is priced by the crew day and measured in feet; finish work is priced by the piece and judged by the eighth of an inch. Say which one you are bidding, name the material grade, and carry rot and structural findings as a stated allowance — because on any repair to an existing structure, what you find behind the trim is the part that moves the number.

Estimate any repair to existing structure. Rot at a sill, a header that was never sized, and framing hidden behind finished surfaces are all found rather than predicted — so price the visible scope, carry an allowance, and state that structural findings are quoted before the work continues.

• Whether the work is rough or finish, since the rate and tolerance differ
• Material grade and species by name — paint-grade poplar and stain-grade oak are different bids
• Rot and structural repair as an allowance with a unit rate, on any work to existing structure
• Whether painting, staining and finishing are included, because usually they are not
• Hardware: hinges, slides, fasteners — the parts that quietly add a day to a built-in
• Disposal of removed material and site cleanup

And what every estimate needs

Use an estimate when the scope is clear but the final number can still move — concealed damage, a substrate you cannot see until demo, or material prices that change between bid and start date.

• An expiry date, so a months-old number cannot be held against you
• Scope written plainly enough that a homeowner knows what is excluded
• A deposit or payment schedule if you need money before mobilising
• A signature line, so acceptance is recorded rather than remembered

Carpentry line items included in this template

These load into the builder ready to edit. Prices are starting points, not our opinion of what you should charge — set your own and they save to your price book.

Rates are illustrative US figures and vary widely by market. Price your own work.

How carpenters price this work

Rough carpentry prices by crew day or per linear/square foot of framing; finish carpentry prices per piece or per linear foot with a much higher effective rate, because the labor is in the fitting rather than the fastening. Custom built-ins are best priced as a shop rate plus install day. The most common underbid in carpentry is trim on out-of-square walls — old houses cost more per foot and the estimate should say so.

Questions

How should I price finish carpentry versus rough carpentry?

As different work at different rates. Rough framing is production work measured by the day; finish carpentry is fitting work measured by the piece, and the effective hourly rate is often half again as high because tolerances are tighter. Quoting both at a single "carpentry" rate reliably loses money on the finish half.

How do I bid trim work in an old house?

Higher per foot than new construction, and say why on the estimate. Out-of-square walls, uneven floors and plaster mean every piece is scribed rather than cut to length. A line noting that the price reflects an existing-structure fit is worth more than the extra dollars — it explains the difference before the customer asks.

Should a deck estimate include the permit?

Include it as its own line if the jurisdiction requires one, which most do above a certain height. Decks are inspected, and an unpermitted deck becomes the customer's problem at resale — pricing the permit visibly is both more honest and a reason your bid beats the one that skipped it.

Is an estimate legally binding?

Generally not, on its own — an estimate is an offer, and it usually becomes binding only once the customer accepts it and both sides act on it. What actually binds you is the language on the page: how you describe the scope, what you exclude, and whether you state that the price can change. This is general industry practice, not legal advice; if a job is large or unusual, have a lawyer look at your terms.

How long should an estimate stay valid?

Thirty days is the common default and it is short enough to protect you from material price swings. If you are quoting equipment with volatile pricing, shorten it — and say so on the page rather than in conversation.

Should I charge for estimates?

Many trades charge a diagnostic or assessment fee and credit it against the job if the customer proceeds. If you do, put it on the estimate as a line item with the credit spelled out, so it never reads as a surprise.