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Free Construction Bid Template for Subcontractors

This free construction bid template gives subcontractors a clean, itemized layout for pricing a job and sending a proposal. Download it as Excel, Word or a printable PDF. No signup is required. Below we explain each section so your bid answers the GC's questions before they ask.

Bid proposal template: Excel (.xlsx) · Word (.docx) · PDF

Bid sheet template (one page, for quick pricing): Excel (.xlsx) · PDF

Bid template, bid proposal template or bid sheet: which one do you need?

These names get mixed up, so here's how we use them:

  • Free bid sheet template. This is a one-page internal worksheet: quantities, unit costs, labor and markup. You use it to work out your number. The customer usually never sees it. Our bid sheet has the line-item grid and the automatic totals, and nothing else.
  • Free bid proposal template. This is the document you send. It has your logo, project info, scope, inclusions and exclusions, price, terms and a signature line. The construction bid proposal template above has all of that.
  • Free estimate template. An estimate is usually an early or informal price, often for a homeowner before final plans exist. You can use the bid proposal template as an estimate template too. Just title it "Estimate" and state how long the price is good for. For subcontractor-specific estimates, see our subcontractor estimate template.

Most subs use the bid sheet to price the job, then copy the totals into the construction bid proposal template to send.

What's in the construction bid proposal template

1. Header

Your company name, logo, address, phone, email and license number. Add the bid date and a bid number so you can track revisions.

2. Project information

Project name, address, owner or GC, the plan set date and revision, and the bid due date. If the documents have addenda, list every one you received. GCs check this.

3. Scope of work

A short summary of what you're doing, such as "Furnish and install all interior drywall, tape and finish to Level 4 per sheets A2.1–A2.6."

4. Itemized line items

The Excel version has these columns:

| Item | Description | Qty | Unit | Unit cost | Total | |---|---|---|---|---|---|

Group the lines by area or system, for example Level 1, Level 2, or rough-in vs. trim. The spreadsheet totals each section and the whole bid for you.

5. Labor, equipment and general conditions

Separate lines for labor hours times rate, equipment rental, mobilization, cleanup and dump fees. See how to calculate labor cost for a construction bid.

6. Markup

Overhead and profit. The template uses markup on cost. If you think in margin, read markup vs. margin for subcontractors first so you don't underprice by accident.

7. Inclusions and exclusions

This is the most important section for avoiding disputes. Typical exclusions include permits, bonds, patching by others, after-hours work, engineering, and work not shown on the plans.

8. Alternates and allowances

Price any alternates the bid documents call for as separate lines.

9. Terms

Payment terms, retainage, how long the price is valid (for example 30 days), schedule assumptions and change-order rates.

10. Acceptance

Signature and date lines for the customer.

How to fill out the template fast

  1. Save a copy for each project, named something like Project_Trade_Rev0.xlsx.
  2. Do your takeoff first and get quantities from the plans. See how to do a construction takeoff from PDF blueprints.
  3. Enter quantities and your unit costs in the line items.
  4. Add labor, equipment and markup.
  5. Write the inclusions and exclusions for this job. Don't copy them from the last one.
  6. Export to PDF and proofread the total, the project name and the address.

Before you send it, run through our construction takeoff checklist.

When a template stops being enough

A template is great when you send a few bids a month. As volume grows, the slow part isn't the layout. It's measuring the plans and typing line items. That's where bidding software saves time. TradeBid drafts an itemized bid straight from your plan set, lets you edit every line, and exports a branded PDF in the same format as this template. Compare the two in construction bid template vs. estimating software.

If you want to try it on a real job, every plan starts with a 7-day trial that includes up to 3 bids and 1 takeoff, with a card on file. Click Start for $0.00, or pay $100 for a single bid with no subscription. Plans run from $149/mo (Apprentice) to $850/mo (Master).

Trade-specific templates

Tips for using any free bid template

  • Lock your formulas. In Excel, protect the total cells so a stray keystroke doesn't break the math.
  • Keep a master copy. Never edit the original. Save a new copy for every job.
  • Update your unit costs monthly. A template is only as good as the prices in it.
  • Proofread the customer name and address. Leaving the last customer's name on a bid is the most common template mistake.

FAQ

Is this construction bid template really free? Yes. The bid proposal template and the bid sheet template are free downloads in Excel, Word and PDF, with no signup.

What's the difference between a bid sheet and a bid proposal? A bid sheet is your internal pricing worksheet. A bid proposal is the formal document you send to the customer.

What's the difference between an estimate and a bid? An estimate is your internal calculation of cost. A bid is the price you formally offer to do the work. See difference between estimate and bid.

Should I show line-item prices to the GC? That depends on the job. Many subs show prices by section and keep unit costs internal. The template supports both. Just hide the unit cost column.

Can I add my logo? Yes. Replace the placeholder in the header of the Word or Excel file.

What should I put in exclusions? Anything a reasonable GC might assume is included but isn't, such as permits, patching, bonding, overtime and work by other trades.

Can I try TradeBid free? Yes. Try TradeBid free for 7 days, with 3 bids and 1 takeoff included. A card is required at checkout ("Start for $0.00"), and you won't be charged if you cancel before the trial ends. After the trial, plans start at $149/mo, or you can buy a single bid for $100.

Start for $0.00