Framing Contractor Estimate Template
A framing contractor estimate forecasts the price before work starts: 8 lines for frame a two-story 2,200 sq ft house shell, labor only, with the lumber package supplied by the builder, totalling $26,480.00, with labour the largest share (96%). It states its assumptions and stays valid for 30 days. Edit the lines and download the PDF.
Pre-filled for a framing contractor: frame a two-story 2,200 sq ft house shell, labor only, with the lumber package supplied by the builder. Example prices: replace them with your own.
From
Fox Hollow Framing
799 Market Street
Georgetown, TX 78626
billing@example.com
(503) 555-0199
Estimate
Prepared for
Avery Lindqvist
140 Orchard Drive
Madison, WI 53703
client@example.com
| Description | Qty | Rate | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame floor systems, walls and roof, labor onlyPer sq ft of total floor area on plans | 2,200 sq ft | $9.50 | $20,900.00 |
| Install hold-downs, straps and hurricane tiesPer structural plan schedule | 120 each | $6.00 | $720.00 |
| Set engineered beams and LVL headers | 8 each | $85.00 | $680.00 |
| Frame covered front porch | 140 sq ft | $12.00 | $1,680.00 |
| Blocking for cabinets, grab bars and TV mounts | 10 hr | $60.00 | $600.00 |
| Crane for roof truss setHalf day with operator | 0.5 day | $1,400.00 | $700.00 |
| Fasteners, nails and sill gasket | 1 lot | $480.00 | $480.00 |
| Change order 2: rework stair opening after plan revision | 12 hr | $60.00 | $720.00 |
- Subtotal
- $26,480.00
- Estimate total
- $26,480.00
Notes
A framing estimate should name the plan set and revision it is based on, state whether the lumber package and crane are included, and price the hardware install and blocking separately.
Made with Billwise - invoice-pdf-maker-app.web.app
Preview of the PDF. Everything stays in your browser: nothing is uploaded.
Framing Contractor estimate at a glance
| Scope estimated | Frame a two-story 2,200 sq ft house shell, labor only, with the lumber package supplied by the builder |
|---|---|
| Estimate total | $26,480.00 before tax |
| Valid for | 30 days from the estimate date |
| Deposit | Framers working for builders usually invoice weekly progress instead of taking a deposit; homeowner jobs may require one before the crew is scheduled. |
| Labour (6 lines) | $25,300.00, 96% |
| Equipment (1 line) | $700.00, 3% |
| Materials (1 line) | $480.00, 2% |
| Priced in | sq ft |
Estimate breakdown for frame a two-story 2,200 sq ft house shell, labor only, with the lumber package supplied by the builder
| Item | Type | Est. quantity | Est. amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Frame floor systems, walls and roof, labor only | Labour | 2,200 sq ft | $20,900.00 |
| Install hold-downs, straps and hurricane ties | Labour | 120 each | $720.00 |
| Set engineered beams and LVL headers | Labour | 8 each | $680.00 |
| Frame covered front porch | Labour | 140 sq ft | $1,680.00 |
| Blocking for cabinets, grab bars and TV mounts | Labour | 10 hr | $600.00 |
| Crane for roof truss set | Equipment | 0.5 day | $700.00 |
| Fasteners, nails and sill gasket | Materials | 1 lot | $480.00 |
| Change order 2: rework stair opening after plan revision | Labour | 12 hr | $720.00 |
| Estimated total | $26,480.00 |
What to write on a framing contractor estimate
A framing estimate should name the plan set and revision it is based on, state whether the lumber package and crane are included, and price the hardware install and blocking separately.
Materials and products are $480.00 of this $26,480.00 estimate (2%), so say how long those prices hold: supplier prices can move before the job starts.
Framing subcontractors usually price labor per square foot of floor area framed, with the lumber package supplied by the builder and extras billed per item or by the hour.
Assumptions behind each line
Write these next to the 8 lines so the customer sees what the $26,480.00 depends on.
- Frame floor systems, walls and roof, labor only: 2,200 sq ft at $9.50 per sq ft ($20,900.00); extra sq ft at the same rate.
- Install hold-downs, straps and hurricane ties: 120 each at $6.00 per each ($720.00); extra each at the same rate.
- Set engineered beams and LVL headers: 8 each at $85.00 per each ($680.00); extra each at the same rate.
- Frame covered front porch: 140 sq ft at $12.00 per sq ft ($1,680.00); extra sq ft at the same rate.
- Blocking for cabinets, grab bars and TV mounts: 10 hr at $60.00 per hr ($600.00); extra hr at the same rate.
- Crane for roof truss set: 0.5 day of hire ($700.00); longer hire is extra.
- Fasteners, nails and sill gasket: 1 lot at $480.00 ($480.00); another grade or brand changes this line.
- Change order 2: rework stair opening after plan revision: 12 hr at $60.00 per hr ($720.00); extra hr at the same rate.
Changes, overruns and change orders
If the customer adds work, put it on a signed change order first. Here one more hr of "Blocking for cabinets, grab bars and TV mounts" adds $60.00, or 0.2% of the estimate.
A 10% rise in material prices would add $48.00 to this job, which is why many framing contractors limit how long an estimate stays valid.
Tips from framing work billing
- Say clearly whether the price is labor only or includes the lumber package, because a framing invoice read the wrong way can look three times higher than the builder expected.
- Measure footage from the stamped plan set and print its revision date on the invoice; when the plans change mid-job, the revision date shows which version the original price covered.
- List structural hardware installs by count against the engineer's schedule, since inspectors reject framing for missing straps or hold-downs and the builder wants proof they were installed.
- Bill corrections the framing inspector requires on your own work at no charge, but invoice corrections caused by plan changes or other trades as change orders with the inspector's note attached.
Checking the labour rate
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2024: median hourly wage of Carpenters $28.51 (employees, not contractor rates).
The sample's $60.00 per hour for "Blocking for cabinets, grab bars and TV mounts" is 2.1 times that employee figure; a business rate also has to cover insurance, tools, travel, unbilled admin time and profit.
Turning the framing contractor estimate into an invoice
-
Get it approved
Ask Avery Lindqvist to sign or reply in writing to estimate EST-9216.
-
Record the changes
Update quantities to what was actually used across the 8 lines.
-
Switch the document type
Change Estimate to Invoice in the tool; the lines and parties stay.
-
Deduct what was paid
Enter any deposit as amount paid so the balance due is correct.
Frequently asked questions
How do I write a framing contractor estimate?
Describe the job (Frame a two-story 2,200 sq ft house shell, labor only, with the lumber package supplied by the builder), list each line with an estimated quantity and rate, total it ($26,480.00 in the sample), state how long it is valid and what it assumes, then send it as a PDF for approval.
Is a framing contractor estimate binding?
An estimate is a forecast, not a fixed price, so the final invoice can differ when the work or materials change. Rules vary by country and state; to stay safe, get written approval before billing noticeably more than the $26,480.00 you estimated.
How long should a framing contractor estimate be valid?
Thirty days is common and is what this template uses. With 2% of the price in materials, a shorter validity protects you if supplier prices rise.