How to write a handyman estimate that gets a yes
Short answer: send it the same day, describe each line in words the customer understands, show materials and tax separately, say what isn't included and how long the price is good for, and make it easy to say yes. Then follow up once after two or three days.
Estimate or quote: say which one it is
People use the words loosely, but customers hear a difference. An estimate is your best guess and can change once you open things up. A quote is a fixed price for the work described. Whichever you send, write it at the top and say what would change the price ("if the subfloor is rotted, we'll stop and price that before going further"). That one sentence prevents most arguments.
What to put on a handyman estimate
- Your business name, phone and email, and your logo if you have one.
- The customer's name and the job address.
- A date and a number so you can both refer to it later.
- Line items in plain words. "Remove old vanity and haul away" beats "Demo." Group them in the order you'll do the work.
- Quantity and price for each line, with materials on their own lines.
- Sales tax, if it applies. Whether labor or materials are taxable depends on your state, so check with your state's tax department.
- The total, big and easy to find.
- What's not included. Paint color matching, permits, moving furniture, disposal of the old appliance.
- How long the price is good for, usually 14 to 30 days, since material prices move.
- Payment terms: deposit, when the rest is due and how you take payment.
- A way to say yes: a signature line, a reply, or a link they can approve from their phone.
Write line items customers can picture
A customer comparing three quotes is reading for two things: did this person understand my problem, and will I get surprised later? Specific lines answer both.
| Vague | Clear |
|---|---|
| Drywall repair | Patch two holes in hallway wall, tape, mud and sand smooth |
| Paint | Prime patches and paint hallway wall, customer's paint |
| Door work | Plane and rehang back door so it closes without sticking |
Photos help too. A picture of the rotted trim or the leaking trap shows the customer you looked closely, and settles questions later about what was there before you started.
Send it fast
The handyman who quotes first often gets the job, because the customer is still thinking about the problem. Aim to send it the same day you look at the job, ideally before you leave the driveway. A clean quote on their phone that afternoon looks more professional than a perfect one a week later.
Give an option when it makes sense
If there's a real choice, like repairing the old fence section or replacing it, show both with their prices. Customers like choosing between two ways to say yes more than deciding between yes and no. Don't pad quotes with options nobody asked for, though; one clear price is usually best for small jobs.
Follow up once, then once more
Most people who don't answer simply forgot. A short message two or three days later is enough: "Hi Dana, just checking you got the quote for the vanity. Happy to answer any questions, and I have an opening next Thursday." If there's still no answer after a week, one last note, then let it go.
Common mistakes
- Leaving out disposal, trips to the store or cleanup, then eating the cost.
- No expiry date, so a customer comes back six months later expecting the old price.
- A total that doesn't match the lines because of a math slip. Use something that adds it up for you.
- Sending a blurry photo of a handwritten pad. It works, but it's easy to lose and hard to say yes to.
Questions
What should be included in a handyman estimate?
Your business details, the customer and job address, a date and number, clear line items with quantity and price, materials, any sales tax, the total, what isn't included, how long the price is good for, payment terms and a way to approve it.
What is the difference between an estimate and a quote?
An estimate is an approximate price that can change once work starts. A quote is a fixed price for the work described. Say which one you're giving and what would change the price.
How long should a handyman quote be valid?
Commonly 14 to 30 days, because material prices and your schedule change. Put the date on the quote.
When should I follow up on a quote?
Two or three days after sending it, with a short friendly message, then once more after about a week.
More guides
- How to price handyman jobs: hourly, flat rate, or bothHourly, flat rate or both, and how to set each one.
- What to put on a handyman invoice (and when to send it)Payment terms, deposits, and what to do when it's late.
- How to get more Google reviews for your handyman businessWhen to ask, what to say, and what Google doesn't allow.