How to Write an Outline for an Estimate of a Home Improvement
- 1). Place the contractor's name and contact information at the top of the page. Then create an area in which to list the homeowner's name and contact information, as well as the property address at which the work will be performed and the date on which the estimate is provided. If no contractor is involved, simply include the homeowner information.
- 2). Create a section for "Project Description." In this area, the contractor or homeowner will give a brief summary of the project such as "replace roof."
- 3). Create a section for "Existing Conditions." In this section, you will eventually provide information such as the square footage of the roof and the type of roof.
- 4). Create a section for "Project Specifications." Items in this section for a roofer might be "remove old roof," "replace damaged wood," "apply sealant as needed,"lay single layer of gray asphalt shingles" and "remove construction debris"
- 5). Create a section for "Guarantees and Warranties." This section is for any warranties provided on the work, with specified restrictions and limitations.
- 6). Create a section for "Materials." This area will eventually contain a list of all materials to be used, including color and type when this information is variable. For example, "shingles" could be gray asphalt shingles or cedar wood shingles. There is a big difference between the two, both in appearance and cost.
- 7). Create a section for "Cost and Time Line." In this area, the contractor or homeowner will provide the estimated cost of all materials and labor for the project. This may be presented as a sum total or broken down into parts, such as labor and materials. Also create a space to include the time frame in which the job will be completed. This might be expressed in hours, days or weeks, depending on the complexity of the job.
- 8). Create a signature line so that the person who is offering the estimate can sign and date it. Add a second line for the customer's signature and the acceptance date if you expect to use this document as your contract as well.
