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Quotes · Construction 8 min read · Updated June 2026

Free Contractor Quote Template & Labour Quotation Format

The exact structure for a contractor quote — including the labour contractor quotation format that separates worker costs from materials. Copy it, fill it, or generate a PDF in 60 seconds.

A contractor quote is part sales document, part legal record. Done well, it wins the job and protects you from scope creep. Done badly — a single lump-sum number with no breakdown — it invites haggling and disputes. This guide gives you the standard contractor quote template and the specific labour contractor quotation format used on projects where labour is supplied separately from materials.

Two formats, one structure

A full contractor quote itemises both labour and materials. A labour contractor quotation covers only the workforce — number of workers or hours × rate. Both share the same header, terms and validity; they differ only in the line items.

The contractor quote template

Top to bottom, a complete contractor quote contains:

SectionWhat it contains
HeaderContractor name, logo, licence/registration number, phone, email, address
Quote metaQuote number, issue date, valid-until date
ClientCustomer name, project site address, contact
Scope of workA clear paragraph describing the deliverable
MaterialsEach material, quantity, unit price, line total
LabourTask or trade, hours/days or worker count, rate, line total
TotalsSubtotal, tax (VAT/GST), grand total
Exclusions & termsWhat's not covered, deposit, stage payments, validity

The labour contractor quotation format

When you're supplying labour only — common in construction, where the client provides materials — the quotation focuses entirely on the workforce. Here's the standard format with a filled example:

Labour descriptionQtyUnitRateAmount
Skilled mason3 workers10 days$120/day$3,600
Helper / unskilled4 workers10 days$75/day$3,000
Site supervisor110 days$180/day$1,800
Equipment operator14 days$150/day$600

The format makes the basis of your price transparent: number of workers × days × rate. Clients can see exactly what they're paying for, and you have a defensible record if the timeline changes.

💡 Day-rate vs lump-sum labour. Quoting labour as workers × days protects you if the job runs long for reasons outside your control. A lump-sum labour quote shifts that risk onto you — only use it when you're confident in the duration.

How to write a contractor quote for free

  1. Start with the scope. One clear paragraph: what you will build, install or deliver.
  2. Separate labour and materials. Two sections so the client sees both, and you can flex one without redoing the whole quote.
  3. Use real quantities and rates. "3 masons × 10 days × $120" beats "labour — $3,600" every time.
  4. Add tax correctly. Apply your local VAT/GST/sales tax to the subtotal.
  5. Protect yourself. List exclusions, set a deposit and stage payments, and add a validity date.
📋
Free quote generator

Generate a contractor quote online in 60 seconds

Pick a template, add labour and material lines, set your terms, and download a professional PDF — free, no signup, no watermark on the essentials.

Create a free quote →

What makes a quote get accepted

After the structure, three things move acceptance rates:

  • Speed. The first professional quote a client receives has a real advantage. Same-day beats next-week.
  • Clarity. Itemised quotes feel honest. Lump sums feel like guesses.
  • Follow-up. One friendly nudge after two or three days recovers jobs that would otherwise go silent.

Frequently asked questions

What is a labour contractor quotation format?
A structured quote listing only the labour for a project — number of workers or hours, the rate per unit, and the total — kept separate from materials. It still includes the contractor's details, scope, terms and validity.
Can I make a contractor quote for free?
Yes. You can copy the template above into a document, or use a free online quote generator that produces a professional PDF with your branding in under a minute.
Should labour and materials be separate?
Almost always yes. Separating them makes the price transparent, lets you adjust one without redoing everything, and is essential when the client supplies materials.
How long should the quote be valid?
14–30 days is standard. It protects you against rising material and labour costs and nudges the client to decide.