Contractor Proposal Template
We’ve worked with legal experts and proofreaders to pull together a simple contractor proposal template (PDF and Word) to help you scale your construction business.
Free Contractor Proposal Templates
We’ve worked with legal experts and proofreaders to pull together a simple contractor proposal template (PDF and Word) to help you scale your construction business.
What’s in this template?
- • Cover letter
- • Services table
- • Payment terms
Click below to download our free contractor proposal template
What is a contractor proposal?
Building and construction jobs by nature are complex, with many skills needed to fulfill the project. A combination of tradespersons such as tilers, brick masons, electricians, plumbers, painters, carpenters, roofers, and laborers are required to complete construction.
All of these skills rarely exist in one company. It’s far more common for each team of tradespeople to contract their services for a specific building project.
A project manager will liaise with the client and then source contractors to help complete the work.
The challenge for contractors is the competition for each project. For example, a project manager may interview three painters before deciding which one to go with. This process is known as a tender.
A contractor proposal (also known as a construction proposal) is a professional document that contractors use to pitch their services in the tendering process (bold).
A proposal document will include information about the tradespersons’ skills, experience, services, and price.
Proposals can get repetitive as tenders require similar information for each project. That’s why contractors will often use a contractor proposal form or template where they merely update the document for each submission.
DISCLAIMER: We are not lawyers or a law firm and we do not provide legal, business or tax advice. We recommend you consult a lawyer or other appropriate professional before using any templates or agreements from this website.
Get access to our Contractor Proposal Template (Free Download)
The tendering process for building contractors can be insanely competitive. That’s why we’ve created a template to help save you time and look more professional when pitching clients.
Click below to grab a copy of our free construction proposal form
Why is a contractor proposal important?
In the building industry, some jobs may not require a proposal, while it’s a requirement for others. However, even the jobs that don’t employ a formal tendering process, it’s still worth preparing a proposal to give yourself the best chance of making the sale.
Winning work is becoming increasingly competitive, so if you don’t submit a proposal, your competitors might and thus hold an advantage over you.
Why you need to go beyond an estimate to win business and construction bid
When a client or project manager is looking for a contractor in the building industry, they’re seeking the best talent at the most affordable price to keep project costs down.
So naturally, price is going to be one of the first questions a prospective client will ask you.
At this point, it’s tempting to respond with a rough estimate of your services. However, merely providing a quote is a risky move if you want to win more tenders.
Leading with price instead of your skills will mean that clients will assess you more on your cost instead of the quality of your work. It can quickly turn into a race to the bottom to see who can do the job for the lowest price.
When someone reaches out to you for your price, it’s a fantastic opportunity to send them your contractor proposal, which includes estimates and highlights your services and payment terms, increasing your chances of standing out from the competition.
Get access to our Contractor Proposals (Free Template Download)
The tendering process for building contractors can be insanely competitive. That’s why we’ve created a template to help save you time and look more professional when pitching clients.
Click below to grab a copy of our free construction proposal form
The elements of a winning contractors proposal template
Having a contractor proposal template already gives you an advantage over other contractors who don’t have a document. However, we’ve identified three best practices to provide you with the best chance of winning jobs.
1. Ask quality questions to understand the project
It would be best if you took the time to understand the full scope of a prospective construction project, so you know what specific role you can play to make the job a success.
Project managers are usually generous when it comes to explaining the details of a project and what they need from your skills. Even then, it’s good to probe a little further to get all of the information you need to develop your pitch.
Below are some questions you can use to get a better understanding of the building project.
- • What's the spec and design of the project?
- • Who is the main point of contact for the job?
- • What is the expected timeframe of the construction?
- • How many contractors will I be working with?
- • What is your budget?
Use a combination of the questions, in addition to your own, to get all the context you need to present a proposal that aligns with your client’s goals.
2. Keep your proposal simple
As a building contractor, there’s no need to get too flashy with your proposal. Project Managers and clients are often screening multiple pitches across multiple trades, so it’s best to get straight to the point.
Clients are more interested in whether you’re going to help them complete their build with no hassle, then having a pretty proposal.
3. Be specific with your services
Your construction proposal is an opportunity for project managers and clients to experience your incredible attention to detail. Take the information from the brief and your questions and include precise information about your services.
For example, if you’re a carpenter, don’t write “carpenter services” as your service in your proposal. Break down service into specific offerings that form part of your work.
By being precise, it shows stakeholders that you’re thinking about how you can play a role in the overall project.
Frequently Asked Questions
Contractor Proposal FAQs
A contract bid is used when a client or project manager is clear on the specs of a job to the point where they’re comfortable proposing a fixed price upfront for contractors to bid on.
A contractor proposal is where the client or project manager requests more information about how a contractor will approach a job, including a quote for their services.
A contractor proposal is where the client or project manager requests more information about how a contractor will approach a job, including a quote for their services.
Proposals and contracts are two different documents.
Proposals are primarily used to show prospects that you’re suitable for the work.
Contracts lay out the terms and conditions for which the work is to be completed by the contractor.
It’s common practice to present both a construction proposal and contract at the same time, so the client has all of the information to make a decision.
Proposals are primarily used to show prospects that you’re suitable for the work.
Contracts lay out the terms and conditions for which the work is to be completed by the contractor.
It’s common practice to present both a construction proposal and contract at the same time, so the client has all of the information to make a decision.
Yes, we’ve made our template in Word file type so you can make changes as you see fit.
document preview
Contractor Proposal
Contractor Proposal
Prepared by
________________________
________________________
________________________
Prepared for
________________________
________________________
________________________
Date ______________
Dear ______________
My name is ____________________ and I am delighted to submit our ____________________ services proposal for you.
Our mission is to ensure your highest possible satisfaction for when it comes to website ____________________!
Our Company has ____________________ services where we have established not only a brand name but a reputation in the market. We have been providing _______________________ with a vast range and variety of highest quality _______________________. With us, you ensure a confident service.
Please do not hesitate to contact us should you have any inquiries on about services or the quote and terms of payment.
Contacts us on
_____________________
_____________________
_____________________
We look forward in serving you!
Sincerely yours,
Name: _____________________
Title: _____________________
_____________ Services
| Service | Quantity | Amount |
|---|---|---|
Payment Terms
| Amount in Percent | Description |
|---|---|
| % | Down payment |
| % | Payment upon completion of the services |
Thank you and sincerely yours
_________________________________
Get access to our Contractor Proposal (Free Template Download)
The tendering process for building contractors can be insanely competitive. That’s why we’ve created a template to help save you time and look more professional when pitching clients.
Click below to grab a copy of our free construction proposal form
