A couple years ago, I watched a buddy lose out on a massive job just because his estimate was scribbled on a napkin – tragically old school! That’s what got me fired up to create a better, simpler way to quote like a true professional, even if you’re running on fumes and coffee. Today, I’m pulling back the curtain on the free contractor quote template I built – the same tool I share with all my coaching clients. I’ll break down not only how it works, but why it’s different from anything else you’ve used before (hint: it actually saves you time and doesn’t turn quoting into a second job). Ready to turn your next bid into a winner? Let’s jump in!
TL;DR: My free Google Sheets contractor quote template is designed to make quoting effortless, professional, and quick. With features like auto tax calculations, labor/material breakdowns, and a built-in client proposal, it's never been easier to impress clients and win more work. Ditch the napkin math - level up your business with the tools and workflow that hundreds of legends already use!
If you’ve ever tried to put together a professional quote for a client, you know the pain of clunky, outdated templates. For years, I relied on half-baked PDF forms, Word docs, and endless repetitive data entry. I’d spend hours copying and pasting the same business details, double-checking math, and hoping I didn’t miss a line item. It was frustrating, inefficient, and honestly, it made me look less professional than I wanted.
Let me share a quick story. A good friend of mine - let’s call him Mike - once lost a big job because of a “napkin quote.” He scribbled out a price on a scrap of paper, handed it to the client, and thought he was done. The client took one look and said, “Thanks, but I need something more official.” Mike lost out, and that moment stuck with me. I realized: if even experienced pros like Mike were struggling with quotes, there had to be a better way.
After seeing too many contractors lose jobs or waste hours on quotes, I decided to build a solution from the ground up. My free Google Sheets Contractor Quote Template is designed to tackle every single headache I just mentioned - and then some.
“This template is a game-changer. I went from spending hours on quotes to just minutes, and my clients love the professional look.” - Actual user feedback
Bottom line: I built this template to eliminate the headaches I faced - and the ones that cost my friend Mike a big job. It’s free, it’s easy, and it’s designed to help you win more work, faster. No more clunky PDFs. No more napkin quotes. Just a streamlined, professional quoting process that puts you ahead of the competition.
Ready to stop wasting time with outdated quoting methods? Let me show you exactly how to use my free contractor quote template - the same tool that’s helped hundreds of contractors and small business owners look more professional, win more jobs, and save hours every week. This isn’t just a spreadsheet; it’s your new quoting powerhouse, packed with features that make quoting fast, accurate, and impressive for your clients.
First things first: grab your copy of the template using the link below my video. This will take you to my exclusive library of free business tools. Open the Free Contractor Quote Template in Google Sheets - no downloads, no fees, just instant access.
Start on the README tab for a quick overview. Then, head to the settings tab. Here’s where you’ll enter your business name, contact info, and your local sales tax rate. If you require a deposit before starting work, you can set your standard deposit percentage here too. Enter these details once, and the template will automatically use them throughout every quote and proposal you create.
Next, click over to the material tab. This is where you’ll create a master list of the items you regularly use. Each row is an item - like “3-inch galvanized nails” - with columns for:
Just enter your items, set your markup (like 0.20 for 20%), and you’re done. The template keeps your markup hidden from clients, so your proposals stay clean and professional. Delete any sample items and add your own - this sheet is 100% customizable.
Now, move to the labor tab. Here, list your team members or subcontractors, their hourly rates, and optional markup. For example, enter “Johnny” at $35/hour. If you want to add a markup, just type it in - otherwise, leave it at zero. This ensures your labor costs are always accurate and up to date.
With your materials and labor set, head to the quote builder tab. This is where the magic happens:
The template automatically calculates totals, markups, and taxes. You’ll see a clear summary of material and labor costs, plus the grand total - no manual math required.
Once your quote is ready, switch to the client proposal tab. All the details from your quote builder are pulled in automatically, formatted into a polished, client-ready proposal. No more copying and pasting - just review, print, or send directly to your client.
Want to go further? Use the jobs log and job profitability tabs to track which quotes convert to jobs, compare estimated vs. actual costs, and see which projects are most profitable. The dashboard gives you a bird’s-eye view of your quoting activity and business performance.
With this free contractor quote template, you’ll quote faster, look more professional, and win more work - guaranteed.
Let’s be honest - quoting isn’t always the most exciting part of running your contracting business. But if you’re still using clunky, outdated methods or scribbling numbers on notepads, you’re probably making mistakes that cost you time, money, and even jobs. Over the years, I’ve seen hundreds of contractors struggle with the same issues. That’s exactly why I created my free contractor quote template - to help you sidestep these common pitfalls and look like a true pro from the very first interaction.
One of the biggest mistakes I see is contractors forgetting to include essential project details in their quotes. Think about it - how many times have you sent out a quote and realized later you left out the project start date, forgot to specify the quote’s expiration, or missed a crucial piece of client info? These oversights can lead to confusion, delays, or even lost jobs.
My template automates all of this. Enter your business details once, and they flow through every quote. Sales tax? Just set it in the settings tab, and it’s applied automatically. No more double-checking or manual calculations - everything is handled for you.
This is a classic mistake that can make or break your bottom line. I’ve seen contractors accidentally quote at cost, forgetting to add markup, or - worse - showing their markup directly to the client. Either way, you end up underpricing the job or confusing your customer.
With my template, you simply enter your cost and desired markup. The system calculates the client price automatically, and only the final, professional price appears on the proposal. It’s idiot-proof - no more embarrassing mistakes or lost profits.
If you work across state lines or even internationally, you know how tricky it can be to manage different tax rates and currencies. Many contractors just guess - or worse, ignore taxes altogether, which can lead to compliance issues and unhappy clients.
My template is built for flexibility. Whether you’re in the US, Australia, or anywhere else, just tick the right box and enter your tax rate. The sheet does the rest - calculating pre-tax and after-tax totals, and displaying them clearly on both your summary and the client proposal. No more guesswork or manual math.
Nothing kills a deal faster than sending a quote that looks rushed or incomplete. Missing client names, vague project descriptions, or sloppy formatting can make you look unprofessional and cost you the job.
With my template, every proposal is auto-generated with all the client’s details, project summary, and a clean, professional layout. It’s designed to impress, helping you win more work with less effort.
Let’s face it - clients are tired of confusing, outdated, or incomplete quotes. When you use my free contractor quote template, you instantly stand out. Every detail is clear, every cost is transparent, and your professionalism shines through. I’ve seen it time and again: contractors who switch to this template get more call-backs and win more jobs. Why? Because clients trust what they can understand. When your quote is easy to read, breaks down labor and materials, and looks sharp, you’re already ahead of the competition.
One of my clients, Mike from Dallas, told me, “I sent out three quotes last week using your template and landed two jobs within 48 hours. The clients said my proposal was the easiest to understand.” That’s the power of clarity and trust in action.
This isn’t just a quoting tool - it’s your all-in-one project command center. Here are some unexpected perks you’ll love:
It’s like having a virtual assistant who never sleeps, keeping your business organized and your clients impressed.
Imagine you’re at your favorite coffee shop. The barista asks, “Do you want extra syrup with that?” In my template, it’s just as easy to add your markup. Need 15%? Type 0.15. Want to bump it to 25%? Just change the number. The sheet handles the rest, updating all your totals and keeping your client proposal clean and professional (no markup shown to the client, of course!).
This flexibility means you can adjust your pricing on the fly - no complicated math, no stress. It’s as simple as ordering your morning coffee.
Don’t just take my word for it - here’s what real contractors are saying:
“I used to spend hours making quotes in Word. Now, I just plug in the numbers and send a proposal in minutes. Clients love how clear it is.”- Sarah, General Contractor, New Jersey
“The dashboard helped me spot which jobs were actually profitable. I stopped underbidding and started making more money.”- Dave, Remodeler, California
These are just a few of the success stories from hundreds of pros who’ve used my template to win more work and boost their bottom line.
With this free tool, you’re not just quoting - you’re winning more work, building trust, and running a smarter business. That’s what I call a game-changer.
After years of coaching contractors and small business owners, I know firsthand how much time and energy can be wasted on clunky, outdated quoting systems. That’s exactly why I created this free contractor quote template - to help you look more professional, win more work, and reclaim your time. But like any tool, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before diving in. Let’s break down what makes this template a game-changer, and where you might find some limitations.
First, let’s talk about the positives. The most obvious advantage is that this template is completely free. You don’t need to sign up for a subscription, enter your credit card, or worry about hidden fees. Just click the link, open the Google Sheet, and you’re ready to go. That’s a huge win for any contractor looking to keep costs down while still operating at a high level of professionalism.
Another major benefit is the streamlined workflow. The template is organized into intuitive tabs - settings, materials, labor, quote builder, jobs log, actuals, job profitability, client proposal, and dashboard. This structure means you can jump right to the section you need, without getting lost in a maze of irrelevant features. Most users find they only need a handful of tabs to get their quoting process up and running, making the learning curve surprisingly gentle.
The automation built into this template is a huge time-saver. Once you enter your business details, tax rates, and deposit requirements in the settings tab, those details automatically populate throughout the entire sheet. Material and labor markups are calculated for you, and the client proposal is generated instantly with all the right numbers in place. No more double-entry or worrying about missed calculations. This level of automation not only saves you time, but also helps you avoid costly mistakes that could eat into your profits.
I also designed this template with customization and scalability in mind. You can easily delete the sample data, add your own materials and laborers, and adjust markup rates to fit your business model. Whether you’re quoting a small repair job or a major renovation, the template can handle dozens of line items and labor entries without breaking a sweat. Plus, the proposal it generates looks sharp and professional, helping you stand out from competitors who still rely on basic Word docs or handwritten estimates.
Of course, no tool is perfect, and I want to be upfront about the limitations. While the template is robust, it’s still a spreadsheet at heart. If you’re looking for advanced features like integrated e-signatures, automated follow-ups, or a full-blown CRM, you’ll need to look elsewhere or consider upgrading to a paid solution down the road. Some users may find the initial setup a bit overwhelming, especially if you’re not familiar with Google Sheets. However, I’ve done my best to make the instructions clear, and most contractors find they’re up and running in under an hour.
Another consideration is collaboration. While Google Sheets makes it easy to share files, if you have a large team or need to manage multiple users with different permissions, you might eventually outgrow this template. But for most solo contractors and small crews, it’s more than enough.
In conclusion, my free contractor quote template is a powerful, practical tool for pros who want to save time, look more professional, and win more work - without spending a dime. It’s helped hundreds of contractors just like you streamline their quoting process and boost their bottom line. If you’re ready to stop wasting time with clunky quotes, give this template a try. And if you ever need more advanced features or personalized support, I’m just a click away at RonaldOsborne.org. Here’s to your success!
Ronald Osborne is an Australian entrepreneur and experienced business coach. With over ten years of business and mentoring experience, an MBA specializing in Finance, along with launching/partnering with over 10 of his own companies around the globe, he has been able to achieve his version of success. Ronald has been able to help large telecommunication companies, law firms, trade businesses, and everyday business owners improve their business and take it to the next level.
