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Handyman bid and proposal template (free, copy and paste)

By Nicholas Lipari, founder of PlainJob · Updated · 4 min read

Short answer: a handyman bid needs your details, the customer and address, a clear scope, priced line items, what's not included, payment terms, how long the price is good for, and a signature line. Copy the template below.

A bid, a proposal and an estimate are mostly the same thing for handyman work: a written price for a defined job. "Bid" usually means you're one of several pros being compared, so clarity wins. For the difference, see how to write a handyman estimate.

The template

BID / PROPOSAL #______            Date: __________
From: [Business name] · [Phone] · [Email] · [License # if any]
For:  [Customer name] · [Job address]

SCOPE OF WORK
[One or two plain sentences: what you'll do and where.]

LINE ITEMS                                   QTY   PRICE    TOTAL
1. ________________________________          ___   $_____   $_____
2. ________________________________          ___   $_____   $_____
3. ________________________________          ___   $_____   $_____
Materials: ______________________________                    $_____
                                              Subtotal:      $_____
                                              Tax:           $_____
                                              TOTAL:         $_____

NOT INCLUDED
[e.g. painting after patch, permits, electrical by licensed electrician]

TERMS
Deposit: ____ due at approval. Balance due on completion.
Changes to the scope are quoted in writing before the work is done.
This price is good for ____ days.

Approved by: ______________________   Date: __________

How to win more bids

  1. Send it the same day. The first clear price often wins.
  2. Write the scope so a stranger could follow it. Vague bids look cheap or risky.
  3. List exclusions. It prevents arguments and shows you've thought it through.
  4. Offer an option. A good/better choice or an add-on line lets the customer say yes to something.
  5. Follow up once after three days if you haven't heard back.

Once it's approved, a work order and, for any changes, a change order keep the job on paper.

Questions

What should a handyman bid include?

Your details, the customer and job address, a plain scope of work, priced line items, materials, what is not included, deposit and payment terms, how long the price is valid, and a signature line.

What is the difference between a bid and an estimate?

For handyman work they are nearly the same: a written price for a defined job. A bid usually means the customer is comparing several pros.

How long should a handyman bid be valid?

Commonly 14 to 30 days, since material prices change. Write the number on the bid.

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