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Job Quote Template & Estimate FormFill in the form, check the preview, then print it or save it as a PDF. No sign-up, and nothing you type is uploaded.

United States · checked What the law says about estimates and deposits

California: Example: home improvement contracts are written and signed before work starts. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7159

California: A home improvement down payment is capped at $1,000 or 10% of the price, whichever is less. Bus. & Prof. Code § 7159

Summary, not legal advice. Full details below

Basics

Basics

Estimate or quote?
Your business

Your business

No logo

PNG or JPG. Kept in this browser only, never uploaded.

Customer

Customer and job site

The job

The job

Labor and materials

Quantity or hours × rate. Leave the quantity empty for a fixed price.

Up to 15 lines

Tax is worked out on the subtotal. Use the rate that applies where you work.

A percentage of the total (30%) or an amount (500). Some states limit deposits on home improvement work: see deposits below.

Not included

Not included (optional)

What the price does not cover. Saying it up front avoids arguments later.

Signature

Your signature (optional)

Sign here, or sign the printed copy in ink. The customer signs to accept the estimate.

Notes and terms

Terms (optional)

Printed in small type at the foot of the page.

Wording: change the title and labels

Each box shows the words printed now. Rewrite any of them; an empty box goes back to the standard wording. You can also click any text on the page to rewrite it.

Finished? Print or save your estimate

Print two copies: one for the customer, one for your records.

If you enjoy what I do, consider supporting me on Ko-fi. Every little bit means the world!

If you enjoy what I do, consider supporting me on Ko-fi. Every little bit means the world!

Preview

Click any text on the page to edit it.

Layout

Whole page · the printed page has no watermark or logo.

Pinch to zoom.

Examples3 layouts filled in with made-up details. Open one to start with that layout, or print a blank template to fill in by hand.

Made for a specific case

Notice: Generated via SnapPaperwork. For genuine estimates only. Do not use it to take a deposit for work you do not mean to do, or to copy another business’s name or license number.

Something missing? Tell me what you need.

What is a job estimate?

A job estimate is a written price for a piece of work, given before it starts. It lists the work, the labor and materials with prices, the total, how long the price is good for and what is not included. Use it so the customer knows the cost, then turn it into an invoice when the work is done.

How to write a job estimate in 3 steps

  1. Describe the job

    Who it is for, where the work is, and what it includes, in plain words. Choose “Estimate” or “Quote” for the title.

  2. Price it line by line

    Labor in hours times your rate, materials at cost or a fixed price. Tax, total and any deposit are worked out for you. Say what is not included.

  3. Send it and get it signed

    Print it or share the PDF. When the customer signs to accept, keep a copy and turn it into a work order.

What a job estimate should include

  • Your business name, contact details and any license number
  • An estimate number, the date, and how long the price is good for
  • The customer’s name and the job address
  • The scope of work: what you will do, in plain words
  • Labor and materials, line by line, with the total and any tax
  • The deposit to start, if you take one
  • What is not included
  • Your terms: how changes are handled and when payment is due
  • A place for the customer to sign and accept

Estimate, quote, work order or invoice?

PaperWhenWhat it does
EstimateBefore the jobYour best idea of the cost. The final bill may differ if the job turns out different
QuoteBefore the jobOften used for a fixed price for the work described. Many trades use the two words loosely, so say which you mean
Work orderWhen the job is booked and doneTells the technician what to do and records what was done
InvoiceAfter the jobAsks the customer to pay

Deposits and written contracts

An estimate is a price for the customer to consider. For larger jobs, especially on homes, some states also ask for a written contract with set wording before the work starts.

California, for example, asks for a written home improvement contract signed before work begins, and a down payment of no more than $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less (Business and Professions Code § 7159). Check the rules where you work, and with your licensing board, before you ask for a deposit.

Checked in October 2026. This page is general information, not legal advice.

Tips for estimates that win the job

  • Visit the site before you price it, and write down what you saw.
  • Split labor and materials so the customer can see where the money goes.
  • Give an end date (“Valid until”): material prices change.
  • List what is not included: permits, painting, hidden damage. It is the most common cause of arguments.
  • Agree in writing how changes are priced before you start, then write a new estimate or change order for each one.

Frequently asked questions

Is this job estimate generator free?

Yes. It is free to use, needs no account or sign-up, and never adds a watermark or a SnapPaperwork logo to your estimate.

What is the difference between an estimate and a quote?

Many businesses use “estimate” for an approximate price and “quote” for a fixed price for the work described, but the words are often used loosely. Choose the title you want, and say in your terms whether the price can change.

How is the total worked out?

Each line is quantity (or hours) times the rate; leave the quantity empty for a fixed price. The lines are added up, the tax rate is applied to the subtotal, and a deposit typed as a percentage (30%) is worked out from the total.

How long should an estimate be valid?

Often 30 days, so material prices do not catch you out. The form sets “Valid until” to 30 days after the date; change it or clear it.

How much deposit can I ask for?

It depends on the job and the state. Some states limit deposits on home improvement work: in California, for example, no more than $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less. Check the rules where you work.

Can the customer accept it by signing?

Yes, there is a place for the customer to sign and date it. For larger home jobs, some states also require a written contract with specific wording, so check whether your estimate is enough on its own.

Can I add my logo?

Yes. Upload a PNG or JPG in “Your business”. It stays in your browser and is printed at the top.

Are my details uploaded or stored on your servers?

No. Everything you type, your logo and your signature stay in your browser and are never sent to me. On a shared computer, press “Clear Form” when you are done.

How do I save the estimate as a PDF?

Click “Print / Save PDF” and choose “Save as PDF” as the printer, or click “Download PDF” to save a file straight to your phone or computer. “Share” opens your device’s share menu with the PDF attached, for example to email it to the customer.