Free General Contractor Estimate Template — Download & Customize (2026)

Use this general contractor estimate template to price residential renovation and remodeling jobs. It covers framing, drywall, flooring, plumbing fixtures, electrical, paint, and permits — with a 20% profit margin built in. Copy it into Excel or Google Sheets and swap in your actual subcontractor and supplier costs.

Last updated: April 2026

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Sample HVAC Estimate — Residential 3-Ton Split System

Copy this table into your spreadsheet and swap in your actual costs.

Item	Qty	Unit Cost	Total
DemoDemolition and haul-off (kitchen + 1 bathroom)	1	$1,800	$1,800
FramingFraming lumber + hardware (new walls, openings)	1	$650	$650
PlumbingPlumbing rough-in + fixtures (1 bath, kitchen sink)	1	$2,200	$2,200
ElectricalElectrical rough-in + devices (outlets, switches, lights)	1	$1,800	$1,800
DrywallDrywall hang + tape + texture (500 sq ft)	500	$2	$1,000
FlooringLVP flooring (kitchen + bath, 350 sq ft installed)	350	$5	$1,750
CabinetsKitchen cabinets (10-unit stock set + installation)	1	$3,500	$3,500
PaintInterior paint (walls + trim, 800 sq ft)	800	$2	$1,600
PermitsBuilding permit + inspections	1	$500	$500
Subtotal			$14,800
Profit Margin (20%)			$2,960
Total			$17,760

What's in This Template

Line items by trade (framing, drywall, flooring, electrical, plumbing, paint)
Subcontractor cost placeholders
Permit and inspection fees
Change order section
Profit margin and overhead formula

How to Use This Template

1. Copy the table above into Excel or Google Sheets.

2. Replace line items with your actual subcontractor bids and supplier quotes.

3. Adjust quantities based on the actual scope — add or remove trades as needed.

4. Include a change order section for surprises (water damage, asbestos, code upgrades).

5. Change the profit margin to match your target (10–20% is typical for GC remodeling).

Tired of Spreadsheets?

Templates work for getting started. But if you're doing 5+ estimates a week, dedicated software saves 3–5 hours per week. Take the 60-second quiz to find the right tool for your crew.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should a general contractor estimate include?

A GC estimate covers all trades involved in the project: demolition, framing, plumbing, electrical, drywall, flooring, cabinets, paint, and permits. Each trade should list materials and labor separately. The estimate should also include a line for overhead (insurance, office costs, project management) and profit margin. Most GCs use 10–20% markup on remodeling jobs.

How do I handle subcontractor costs in this template?

Replace the unit cost in each trade's line item with your subcontractor's bid amount. For example, if your plumber quoted $2,200 for rough-in and fixtures, put that in the plumbing row. If the sub provides materials and labor together, use quantity = 1 and the full bid as unit cost. Always get at least 2–3 sub bids per trade for competitive pricing.

What profit margin should a general contractor use?

Residential remodeling GCs typically use 10–20% markup (9–17% margin). New construction GCs often work at 8–15% markup because the volume is higher. Your markup needs to cover overhead (insurance, office, vehicle, phone, accounting) plus your actual profit. A common mistake is pricing at 10% markup when overhead alone is 12% — you lose money on every job. Use our markup calculator to get the number right.

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