Project description
The structure, the work, the location, and the intended finish standard. One paragraph the client would sign off as accurate.
Construction · free template
Construction proposal template
A construction proposal is a risk document as much as a price. The bid that wins on trust names its allowances, lists its exclusions, and explains how change orders are priced before anyone breaks ground. This template does all three in language a homeowner or facilities manager can follow.
What the client is really deciding: "Is this the real number, or will it climb once you start?"
Generate my construction proposal
3 proposals free — no credit card required.
Section-by-section structure
Itemised scope of work
Trade by trade or phase by phase: demolition, framing, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, finishes. Each line names what is included.
Allowances
Where selections are not yet made, state the allowance amount per item — fixtures, tile, appliances — and that costs above it are billed at actual.
Exclusions
Permits, engineering, hazardous material abatement, unforeseen structural conditions, and landscaping restoration unless named. The clearest section in the document.
Schedule and milestones
Start date, major milestones, and the inspections or client selections each depends on. Note that permit timing is outside your control.
Payment schedule
Deposit and progress draws tied to completed milestones, with the final payment released at substantial completion and punch list sign-off.
Change orders and investment
Total price, the markup applied to change orders, and the requirement that changes are approved in writing before work proceeds.
How to price this work
| Pricing model | Best when | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Fixed price with allowances | Defined scope, undecided finishes | Bid total + named allowances |
| Cost plus fee | Renovations with unknown conditions | Cost + 10 – 20% |
| Time and materials | Small repairs and service work | $60 – $150/hr + materials |
Ranges are general market guidance, not a quote — price against the outcome for your client.
Mistakes to avoid
- No allowances, so every undecided selection becomes an argument.
- Exclusions buried in a paragraph instead of listed.
- Progress draws tied to dates rather than completed milestones.
- Change orders performed on a handshake and billed later.
- No clause for concealed conditions found after demolition.
Frequently asked questions
Fixed price or cost plus?
Fixed price with clear allowances for new builds and defined scopes; cost plus for renovations where what is behind the wall is genuinely unknown. Say which you are quoting and why.
How long should the bid stay valid?
Thirty days is standard, and state it. Material pricing moves, and an expiry date also gives the client a reason to decide.
Do I include permit costs?
List permits explicitly as included or excluded with an estimated amount. Ambiguity here is the single most common source of dispute.
Let LogicVanta write it for you
Answer a few questions about the client and the project. LogicVanta drafts every section above, then gives you a shareable link your client can accept in one click.
Create your first proposal freeFree download
Get the construction template — plus 4 more
Web design, SEO, social media, copywriting, and consulting — each with the full section wording, pricing structure, and closing lines. Copy, paste, adapt. No credit card, no sales calls.
Templates for other services
Web design proposal templateSEO proposal templateSocial media marketing proposal templateCopywriting proposal templateConsulting proposal templateBookkeeping proposal templateGraphic design proposal templateLandscaping proposal templatePhotography proposal templateWeb development proposal templateEvent planning proposal templateCleaning services proposal templateVirtual assistant proposal templateFreelance writing proposal templateInterior design proposal template