Estimate vs quote vs bid — and which one you should send
These three words get used interchangeably and mean different things legally and commercially. Using the wrong one is how contractors end up bound to a number they meant as a ballpark.
Estimate
A considered approximation. It can move if conditions differ from the stated assumptions. This is the right document for work where you cannot see everything up front — anything behind a wall, under a roof, or below grade. Say 'estimate' and state your assumptions, and you have room to have an honest conversation when the decking turns out to be rotten.
Quote
A fixed price for a defined scope, generally binding once accepted. Appropriate when the scope is fully visible and you control the variables — a fixture swap, a known square footage of flooring. If you send a quote, the risk of the unknown is yours.
Bid
A competitive offer submitted against a defined specification, usually where several contractors price the same documented scope. Common in commercial and public work. The spec, not your description, defines the job.
Which to send
If you have not opened the wall, send an estimate with assumptions and exclusions written out. If the scope is fully known and you want to win on certainty, send a quote. Either way, label it correctly on the document itself — the word you use is the promise you make.
Generate this estimate now
Describe the job in plain words. No email needed to see your first estimate — about fifteen seconds for a small job, a little longer for a big one.
What you get — see the format first
A complete estimate you can send to the customer, built from the rate you enter:
| Description | Qty | Unit | Unit price | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Labor — itemized by task | hrs | hour | your rate | — |
| Materials — with your markup applied | qty | ea / sq ft | cost + markup | — |
| Permits, disposal, access | — | — | — | — |
Plus a plain-English scope summary, assumptions (what had to be guessed), exclusions (what you are not doing — the section that prevents most change-order arguments), and a validity period. Printable, or send the link.
Every figure comes from the rate and markup you supply. We never fill in a market price for you.
Related guides
How much to charge
bathroom remodel · deck staining · window cleaning · tree removal · fence installation
Estimate templates by trade
general contracting · handyman · cleaning · concrete · drywall · flooring · fencing · tree service
How to estimate
How to write a contractor estimate · What to include in a contractor estimate · How to price a job as a contractor · Should you charge for estimates? · How to follow up on an estimate · How to handle change orders · Estimate vs invoice: what's the difference? · How to raise your prices as a contractor