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Free to use: A clean job estimate template for trades — HVAC, plumbing, landscaping, pest control, cleaning. Copy it, fill in the brackets, and send a professional quote that wins the job and protects your margin. Field-service apps can generate and send these from your phone on-site.
The job estimate template
| [Your Business Name] [License #] · [Phone] · [Email] | ESTIMATE Estimate #: [0001] Date: [Date] Valid until: [Date] |
Prepared for: [Customer Name] · [Service Address] · [Phone]
Job description: [Describe the work — what, where, and any conditions/assumptions.]
| Item | Qty | Unit price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| [Labor — description] | [hrs] | [$/hr] | [$0.00] |
| [Materials — description] | [qty] | [$0.00] | [$0.00] |
| [Equipment / trip charge] | [1] | [$0.00] | [$0.00] |
| Subtotal | [$0.00] | ||
| Tax [%] | [$0.00] | ||
| Estimated total | [$0.00] | ||
Terms: This is an estimate, not a fixed bid; final cost may change if scope or site conditions differ. Estimate valid for [30] days. Deposit of [$/%] due to schedule. Warranty: [describe].
Approval: Signature: __________ Date: ____
How to use it
Fill in the brackets, itemize labor and materials separately (customers trust a breakdown far more than one lump sum), and always add a “valid until” date and a note that site conditions can change the final price — that line protects you when a simple job turns complicated. Include your license number where required, and ask for a signature or deposit to lock in the work.
Quote faster and win more jobs
On an emergency or repair call, the fastest quote often wins. Field-service software lets you build and send a professional estimate from your phone at the job — then convert it to a scheduled job and invoice in one flow. See our 10 best field service management software roundup, the Jobber review (our top pick for small trades), or trade-specific guides for HVAC and pest control.
Frequently asked questions
What should a job estimate include?
Your business and license info, an estimate number and date, the customer and service address, a clear job description, itemized labor and materials with totals, tax, terms (including a validity date and that it’s an estimate not a fixed bid), and a space for approval. The template above has all of these.
What’s the difference between an estimate and a quote?
An estimate is an approximate price that can change if scope or conditions differ; a quote (or bid) is a fixed price you commit to. For trades where site conditions vary, label it an estimate and note that the final cost may change — it protects you from eating surprises.
How do I send estimates on-site?
Use field-service software (Jobber, Housecall Pro) to build and send a professional estimate from your phone at the job, then convert an approved estimate straight into a scheduled job and invoice. Speed on-site is one of the biggest levers for winning trade work.
Related resources
External Estimating References
For examples of digital estimating workflows, review the official QuickBooks estimates and proposals features, Jobber’s field-service platform, and Housecall Pro’s field-service platform. Product features and pricing change, so confirm current details with the provider.