About this example
This example is the estimate a one-person handyman business in Seattle, Washington, sends a homeowner after walking through her repair list: a dripping tap, four bedroom doors, five plasterboard patches, a ceiling fan, a shower to regrout, six soft deck boards and eight windows to reseal, about two days of work in all.
A job estimate for small work has to be quick to read and easy to say yes to, so this one prices every task on its own. A short letter sets out what was looked at and how long the work will take, and a summary gives the number of tasks, the time on site and the estimated total. Labour is listed by task at an hourly rate, with what each task involves, followed by the materials and a call-out and disposal charge. Washington sales tax applies to the labour as well as the materials. The estimate closes with plain terms on choosing tasks, hidden problems, payment and the workmanship guarantee, and a place to approve it.
Who it is for
Handymen, home repair and maintenance businesses, and small builders who estimate lists of jobs for homeowners.