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PrimeBase/Tools/Proposal Generator/CONSTRUCTION PROPOSAL
FREE TEMPLATE · CONSTRUCTION PROPOSAL

Free construction proposal template. Concept to milestone.

Project scope, materials, labor, milestones — clean construction proposal in 5 minutes.

Proposal Generator

Build a winning sales proposal in minutes

Proposal Details

Cover the basics — who, when, and how long it's valid

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Sales Proposal

Proposal #PROP-001

Issued May 17, 2026

Prepared by

Bayside Construction Co.

Prepared for

Cover Letter

Dear [Client name],

Following our walkthrough last week, this proposal outlines the scope, timeline, and pricing for your master bathroom renovation.

Licensed, bonded, and insured general contractors — every project covered by our 2-year workmanship warranty.

Scope of Work

Master bathroom renovation — full demolition, plumbing/electrical rework, drywall, finishes. Approximately 6 weeks from permit to walkthrough.

Deliverables

  • •Permitting and inspection coordination
  • •Demolition and removal
  • •Plumbing and electrical rework to code
  • •Drywall, flooring, tile, and finish installation
  • •Final walkthrough and punch list

Investment

DescriptionQtyRateTotal
Labor (Phases 1-4)1$18,000.00$18,000.00
Materials (lumber, tile, fixtures)1$12,500.00$12,500.00
Permits and inspections1$1,200.00$1,200.00
Subtotal:$31,700.00
Total Investment:$31,700.00

Next Steps

How to accept: Reply YES to this email, or sign below.

Within 24 hours, we send the contract. After signing, we schedule a kickoff call within the week.

Accepted by Client

Date: ___________________

Submitted by

Bayside Construction Co.

Date: May 17, 2026

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Overview

A construction proposal is the bid document a builder or general contractor sends to a property owner to win a project. It defines the project scope by phase, breaks pricing into a schedule of values, sets the construction timeline, lists allowances for items the client picks (fixtures, flooring), and explicitly excludes items that aren't covered — the difference between an accepted bid and a six-month dispute.

Step-by-step

How to write a winning construction proposal

1
State the project scope in one paragraph
"Master bathroom renovation — full demolition and rebuild including plumbing rough-in, electrical, drywall, tile, fixtures, and final walkthrough. Approximate 6-week timeline." One-paragraph scope at the top tells the homeowner exactly what you understand the project to be.
2
Break pricing into a schedule of values by phase
"Phase 1: Demolition — $4,500. Phase 2: Rough-in (plumbing, electrical, framing) — $12,000. Phase 3: Drywall and prep — $3,500. Phase 4: Finishes (tile, fixtures, paint) — $9,000. Phase 5: Final walkthrough and punch list — $1,000." Phase-by-phase pricing matches how you'll invoice and how the bank funds.
3
Specify allowances for owner-selected items
Fixtures, flooring, lighting, paint colors — these are typically allowances rather than fixed cost. "Allowance for plumbing fixtures: $2,500 (overages billed at cost). Allowance for tile: $8/sq ft (upgrades billed at difference)." Allowances handle the "I picked $80/sq ft Italian tile" problem before it happens.
4
List exclusions explicitly
What's NOT included matters more than what is. "Excludes: permit fees (billed at cost), HOA approval coordination, structural engineer review, asbestos abatement if discovered." Construction proposals that don't list exclusions get hit with "but I thought permits were included" disputes.
5
Add the timeline with milestone dates
"6-week timeline: Week 1-2 demolition + rough-in. Week 3-4 drywall + tile. Week 5 fixtures + finishes. Week 6 walkthrough + punch list. Schedule subject to weather, inspections, and material availability." Be specific; weather/permit/material delays are real, so acknowledge them.
6
Specify what happens for change orders
"Changes to scope require written change orders signed by both parties before work proceeds. Change-order labor rate: $85/hr. Materials at cost plus 15%." Pre-defining the change-order rate prevents the "they're charging $200/hr to add an outlet" conversation later.
7
Set the payment schedule and acceptance terms
Typical construction proposal: deposit on contract signing (10-25%), milestone payments at phase completion, retainage held until walkthrough. "Acceptance: signed contract + 10% deposit. This proposal valid for 30 days." Construction material prices change fast; 30-day validity is the norm.
What to include

What every construction proposal should include

Project scope statement in one paragraph
Phase-by-phase schedule of values with pricing
Allowances for owner-selected fixtures and finishes
Explicit exclusions (permits, engineering, abatement, etc.)
Timeline with phase milestones
Change-order process and rates
Payment schedule (deposit + milestones + retainage)
Schedule subject-to language (weather, permits, materials)
Insurance and licensing representations
Warranty period on workmanship
Proposal validity period (30 days standard)
Acceptance terms — what triggers contract
Watch out

Common construction proposal mistakes

Lump-sum pricing without a schedule of values. Homeowners can't evaluate $40K without knowing the breakdown; builders can't flexibly bill against phases.
No exclusions list. Permits, HOA fees, structural review, asbestos discovery — every project has things not in scope. Listing them prevents disputes.
No allowances. Owner picks $5,000 in tile when the bid assumed $1,500; without an allowance, you absorb the difference or fight about it.
Vague timeline ("approximately 6 weeks"). Pin milestones to weeks; subject-to weather and permits is fine, but be specific where you can.
No change-order rate. Every project has changes; pre-setting the rate avoids the conversation when it comes up mid-job.
Common questions

Frequently asked questions.

Use a schedule of values — phase-by-phase pricing that totals to the project price. Standard phases for a renovation: demolition, rough-in (plumbing/electrical/framing), drywall, finishes (tile/paint/fixtures), final walkthrough. Each phase has a dollar value. The SOV becomes the basis for progress invoicing later. Homeowners evaluate $40K renovations more confidently when they see the phase pricing; banks funding the project require it.

Why PrimeBase

Why builders move proposals + project management into PrimeBase

A clean PDF proposal wins one bid. After it's accepted, PrimeBase keeps the build running on one owner record. The estimate flows into a Smart Document contract you send for parallel e-signature, and the countersigned PDF lives next to the project, every change order, and every progress invoice. Each draw is a one-click conversion from the accepted estimate, so schedule-of-values line items and retainage carry over without re-keying. The owner sees signed contract, approved change orders, and invoices in their branded portal.

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