Made for Independent Contractors
Build a Scope and Estimate That Holds Up
Also useful for: people in Freelancers
75 min
Advanced
Pricing
Win Contracts
Build a client-ready estimate that ties each price to defined work, quantities, assumptions, exclusions, payment milestones, and a clear approval window.
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Use this when
A client has asked for an estimate, but the request includes unclear deliverables, uncertain quantities, hidden dependencies, or details that could expand after approval.
You'll need
- Project brief
- Deliverables
- Quantities and schedule
- Costs and rates
- Pricing method
- Contingency percentage
- Payment plan
- Assumptions
- Exclusions
- Estimate terms
You'll get
- Every deliverable tied to a quantity, limit, phase, or acceptance condition
- Every material cost, labor cost, allowance, and contingency checked
- All high-impact unknowns resolved, priced as allowances, or marked as conditions
- Payment milestones totaling the full estimate amount
- Assumptions, exclusions, client responsibilities, and change handling stated
- Estimate expiration date and approval block included
By the end of this playbook
You will have:
- Every deliverable tied to a quantity, limit, phase, or acceptance condition
- Every material cost, labor cost, allowance, and contingency checked
- All high-impact unknowns resolved, priced as allowances, or marked as conditions
- Payment milestones totaling the full estimate amount
- Assumptions, exclusions, client responsibilities, and change handling stated
- Estimate expiration date and approval block included
Sample
This is sample data, not your prompt. Pro unlocks this higher-stakes Playbook. On Free Playbooks you can still copy the assembled prompt into any AI.
Sample input
Project: Repaint a 1,200-square-foot retail space before opening day. Scope: Sales-floor walls, trim, and two doors; two coats; one touch-up visit. Schedule: Evening access only, completion by June 10. Costs: 72 labor hours at $32 internal cost, $1,480 materials, $260 equipment, $180 travel, and $420 overhead. Target margin: 30%. Contingency: 8%. Payment plan: 40% at approval, 40% after preparation and first coat, 20% after walkthrough. Key assumptions: Serviceable drywall, merchandise moved by the client, no hazardous coating. Key exclusions: Major repairs, ceilings, shelving removal, security, permits, testing, and post-approval color changes. Expiration: May 20.
Sample assembled prompt
RECOMMENDATION Issue a conditional fixed-price estimate. Confirm wall condition, after-hours access, and... CLIENT ESTIMATE Project: Retail Space Repainting... - Prepare serviceable wall surfaces for... - Apply two coats to approximately... - Paint listed trim and two... - Complete one final touch-up visit... - Remove painting debris at completion. Price Fixed project price: $8,250 plus... Payment Milestones - $3,300 due at... - $3,300 due after preparation and... - $1,650 due after the final... Assumptions - Existing drywall is in... - Evening access is available during... - Merchandise is moved at least... - The approved sample color remains... Exclusions Major drywall repair, ceiling work,... Changes Added work or changed conditions... Expiration This estimate expires May 20.