Free Carpenter Bid Proposal Template
This free carpentry bid proposal template includes a professional cover page, detailed scope with wood species and grade specifications, joinery methods, shop drawing references, finish and stain specifications, hardware selections, project timeline, payment milestones, warranty terms, and client acceptance section. Download the PDF to submit winning carpentry proposals.
What's Included
- Cover page with company branding and project title
- Executive summary with project description and total investment
- Detailed scope of work with wood species and grade
- Joinery methods and construction techniques
- Shop drawing or design sketch references
- Finish specifications (stain, paint, clear coat, hardware)
- Itemized cost breakdown for materials, labor, and finishing
- Project timeline with fabrication and installation phases
- Payment schedule tied to project milestones
- Client acceptance and signature block
How to Use This Template
- 1
Open with a cover page that showcases your carpentry credentials: contractor license, years of experience, and any guild or association memberships (AWI, WCA). If you have a portfolio, reference it. Custom carpentry is a craft trade — clients are hiring your skill and attention to detail, and the proposal should reflect that from the first page.
- 2
Your executive summary should describe the project in concrete terms and state the total investment. For example: "We will design, fabricate, and install a floor-to-ceiling built-in bookcase in white oak with adjustable shelving, integrated LED lighting, and a natural oil finish — total investment \$12,500." Be specific about what the client is getting.
- 3
Detail the scope with precision: wood species and grade (e.g., FAS white oak, select pine, clear alder), joinery methods (mortise and tenon, dovetail, pocket screw, biscuit), dimensions, and finish specifications. Reference shop drawings or design sketches by number and attach them as exhibits. Include hardware selections (hinges, pulls, slides) with manufacturer and model. The more detailed your scope, the fewer misunderstandings during fabrication.
- 4
Break the timeline into shop time and on-site time. Custom carpentry typically involves design approval, material procurement, shop fabrication, site preparation, installation, and finish work. Tie payments to milestones: deposit at design approval, progress payment when materials are procured, second progress payment at installation start, and balance at completion and punch list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why should I specify wood species and grade in my proposal?
Wood species and grade determine the look, durability, workability, and cost of the project. FAS (First and Seconds) grade hardwood costs significantly more than #1 Common but has fewer knots and more consistent grain. Specifying this upfront prevents misunderstandings and justifies your pricing to the client.
Should I include shop drawings in a carpentry proposal?
Yes, or at minimum reference them. Shop drawings show dimensions, joinery details, and construction methods. They serve as the definitive guide for fabrication and give the client a clear picture of the finished product. Require client sign-off on shop drawings before fabrication begins.
How do I price custom carpentry in a bid proposal?
Break your price into materials (wood, hardware, finish products), shop labor (fabrication hours), site labor (installation hours), and finish work. If the project requires design time, list it separately. Custom carpentry is not commodity work — itemizing your costs helps the client understand the value behind the price.
What warranty should a carpenter offer?
Offer a 1–2 year workmanship warranty covering structural integrity, joinery, and finish adhesion under normal use. Exclude damage from water, humidity extremes, direct sunlight, and client modifications. Pass through hardware manufacturer warranties separately. State that wood is a natural material subject to seasonal movement.
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