Free General Contractor Estimate Template
General contracting estimates pull many trades together — clarity is everything. Itemize management, labor, materials, subcontractors and permits so clients see the full scope.
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Roll up subcontractor costs and your management fee into clear line items, and keep permits and fees visible. A transparent estimate wins bids and prevents disputes on larger jobs.
What a general contractor estimate includes
Typical line items — start from these and adjust quantities and prices for your job.
| Line item | Unit | Typical price |
|---|---|---|
| Project management & supervision | job | $3,500.00 |
| Demolition & site prep | job | $2,000.00 |
| Framing & structural work | job | $6,000.00 |
| Materials & fixtures | job | $8,000.00 |
| Subcontractor labor (MEP) | job | $7,000.00 |
| Finishes & carpentry | job | $4,500.00 |
| Permits & municipal fees | job | $1,200.00 |
| Cleanup & final walkthrough | job | $600.00 |
General contracting projects vary widely with scope; itemizing each phase keeps even large estimates easy to follow.
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Create free estimateGeneral Contractor estimate FAQ
What should a general contractor estimate include?
List each phase — management, demo, framing, materials, subcontractors, finishes, permits and cleanup — as separate line items so the client can follow the whole project.
How do I price my management fee?
Many GCs add 10–20% over hard costs for overhead and profit. Show it as its own line or build it into each item — just be consistent and clear in the terms.
How should I handle allowances and change orders?
Use allowance line items for client-selected finishes, and document any scope change as a written change order before work proceeds. Both keep large jobs on budget.