What to include in a carpentry estimate
Carpentry covers everything from a few feet of baseboard to a custom built-in, and customers often cannot picture the difference in work. A clear estimate shows it:
- Your business details: name, phone, email, and license number if your area requires one.
- Customer name and address, and the rooms or areas included.
- Measurements: linear feet of trim, square feet of decking or flooring, number of doors or windows.
- Materials: wood species and grade (for example primed MDF, pine, oak, pressure-treated lumber, composite).
- Finish: paint-grade or stain-grade, and who does the painting or staining.
- Demolition and removal of old trim, doors or boards.
- Hardware: hinges, handles, fasteners.
- Permits, which decks and structural work often need.
- Timeline, deposit and total.
How to price carpentry work
- Per linear foot for trim, baseboard, crown molding, shelving and fences.
- Per square foot for decks, flooring and wainscoting.
- Per piece for doors, windows, cabinets and stair treads.
- Hourly for repairs and custom work where the time is hard to predict.
Add materials with extra for cuts and waste (many carpenters allow around 10% for trim and flooring), plus your markup. For custom pieces, count design time, shop time and install time separately so you do not undercharge. The price list in the tool above uses example US prices. Replace them with your own.
Example: bedroom trim and doors estimate
| Item | Qty | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Install baseboard (per linear ft) | 120 | $720.00 |
| Hang pre-hung interior door | 2 | $550.00 |
| Install door casing (per door) | 2 | $240.00 |
| Lumber, hardware and materials | 1 | $180.00 |
| Total | $1,690.00 | |
| Deposit for materials (30%) | $507.00 |
These numbers are only an example. Real prices depend on the materials, the job and your area.
Paint-grade or stain-grade?
Paint-grade work can use primed MDF or finger-jointed pine, and small gaps are filled and painted over. Stain-grade work needs matching solid wood and tighter joints, because every flaw shows. It costs noticeably more in both material and time, so say which one you are pricing.
Estimate vs. quote vs. invoice
An estimate fits repairs and remodels where old framing or rot may change the job. A quote fixes the price for a defined build, like a deck or built-in. An invoice is the bill when the work is done. The tool above switches between all three without retyping.
Tips to win more carpentry jobs
- Show photos of similar work. Customers buy carpentry with their eyes.
- Offer material options, such as MDF or solid wood, pressure-treated or composite decking.
- Include a simple sketch with dimensions for custom pieces.
- Give a realistic timeline and follow up within a few days.
Frequently asked questions
Is this carpentry estimate template free?
Yes. Make and download as many estimates as you like. Free PDFs include a small line at the bottom saying they were made with QuoteToolbelt.
Do I need to sign up?
No. Your business details are saved in your own browser on this device only, and nothing is uploaded.
How do I price trim by the linear foot in the tool?
Pick a per-linear-foot line, such as "Install baseboard (per linear ft)", and enter the total feet as the quantity. The tool multiplies it by your rate.
Should materials be a separate line?
Many carpenters list lumber and materials separately so the customer sees the cost of better wood. Others include them in the per-foot price. Just be clear which you are doing.
How long should a carpentry estimate be valid?
Lumber prices change often, so many carpenters keep estimates valid for 15 to 30 days. The tool sets 30 days by default.