Construction Estimate Template (Excel)

What is in the Construction Estimate template

This workbook builds a cost estimate from a quantity takeoff. It separates material, labor and equipment on every line, adds contingency, overhead and profit markup and sales tax, and shows a total plus a breakdown by trade. It has three sheets: Takeoff, Summary and How to use.

The Takeoff sheet

Each row is one line item. You pick a trade and a unit from drop-downs, describe the item and enter the quantity. Then you give the unit costs: material cost per unit, labor hours per unit, the labor rate per hour, and equipment cost per unit. Four formula columns do the rest:

• Material total = Qty x Material $/unit
• Labor total = Qty x Labor hrs/unit x Labor $/hr
• Equipment total = Qty x Equipment $/unit
• Line total = material + labor + equipment

The sheet holds 100 lines. A total row at the bottom adds each column. If you type a trade that is not on the list, the cell turns red so the cost cannot slip out of the trade summary. Units include square feet (SF), linear feet (LF), square yards (SY), cubic yards (CY), roofing squares (SQ), each (EA), lump sum (LS), hours and days.

The Summary sheet

The Summary has the project details and three yellow inputs: contingency as a percent of direct cost, overhead and profit markup as a percent of cost, and sales tax on materials. The cost build-up runs in a clear order:

1. Direct cost = material + labor + equipment
2. Contingency = direct cost x contingency %
3. Cost with contingency = direct cost + contingency
4. Markup = cost with contingency x markup %
5. Sales tax = material cost x tax rate
6. Total estimate = cost with contingency + markup + tax

Below it, a table shows material, labor, equipment and total direct cost for each of ten trades (site work, concrete, framing, roofing, windows and doors, electrical, plumbing, HVAC, drywall and paint, flooring), with each trade’s share of direct cost. You can rename trades in that table. A check cell compares the trade table with direct cost and turns red if they differ. A bar chart plots direct cost by trade, without data labels.

The sample estimate

The file opens with an illustrative garage conversion and rear addition: 15 lines with made-up prices and rates. They are not local costs or industry benchmarks. Replace them with your supplier quotes and your own labor rates.

How to use it

1. Enter the project details and your contingency, markup and tax percentages on the Summary sheet.
2. Take off quantities and enter one line per item on the Takeoff sheet.
3. Enter your unit costs, labor hours and labor rate for each line.
4. Check that the trade table check cell shows 0.
5. Review the total, and print the Summary for the client or your records.

Markup here is a percent of cost, not a margin on price. If you are unsure of the difference, read contractor markup vs margin. Tax on materials depends on your state and the type of job, so confirm the rate. For smaller jobs, try the estimate template or the painting estimate calculator. The full method is explained in how to create a construction estimate.

Frequently asked questions

More free tools: All free calculators · Estimate template · Contractor markup vs margin · Painting estimate calculator