What an carpentry estimate is for
An estimate is not a quote, and the difference matters legally and financially. An estimate is your best assessment before everything is known — which means the document has to say, in writing, what could move the number and by how much.
For carpenters selling to homeowners, builders, and designers, the estimate is usually the only thing the customer compares side by side against two competitors. It is doing sales work whether you designed it to or not.
The unit that trips this trade up: Finish carpentry is priced per linear foot or per piece; framing is priced per square foot. Do not mix them.
What every carpentry estimate must have
- The word estimate on the document, not quote — the distinction is legal in many states
- What specifically could change the price, named rather than implied
- A percentage or dollar range the final figure may vary within
- The conditions that would trigger a revised figure
- Whether the estimate converts to a firm quote after inspection, and when
What carpenters bill for
These are the lines that show up on most carpentry estimates, with the unit each is normally priced in. Ranges are illustrative planning figures, not market data — your own costs, region, and margin decide the real number.
| Line item | Unit | Typical range |
|---|---|---|
| Framing | sq ft | $12–$45 |
| Baseboard and casing, installed | linear ft | $4–$16 |
| Crown molding, installed | linear ft | $8–$28 |
| Interior door hung, incl. hardware | each | $180–$650 |
| Built-in shelving or cabinetry | linear ft | $150–$600 |
| Deck framing and decking | sq ft | $25–$75 |
| Stair treads and railing | each | $120–$800 |
| Labor — finish carpenter | hour | $65–$135 |
Typical deposit convention: Materials deposit for custom millwork, balance on completion.
Carpentry estimate example
A realistic job, priced line by line, with the arithmetic shown the way a customer sees it:
| Description | Qty | Unit price | Line total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baseboard — 180 linear ft installed | 180 | $7.50 | $1,350.00 |
| Door and window casing — 6 openings | 6 | $145.00 | $870.00 |
| Crown molding — 96 linear ft installed | 96 | $16.00 | $1,536.00 |
| Caulk, fill and sand for paint | 1 | $485.00 | $485.00 |
| Subtotal | $4,241.00 | ||
| Tax (7.75%) | $328.68 | ||
| Total | $4,569.68 | ||
Notice that every assumption is a line rather than a conversation. That is the whole difference between an estimate that holds up and one that gets renegotiated in a driveway.
Three mistakes that cost carpenters money
Not saying whether paint is included
Finish carpentry customers assume painted. State that carpentry is delivered ready for paint, or price the paint.
Ignoring out-of-square conditions
Old houses are not square, and scribing takes hours. Name the condition assumption on the quote for retrofit work.
Material grade left vague
Paint-grade and stain-grade are wildly different prices. Specify species and grade on every line.
How to send an carpentry estimate in about a minute
A template is only half the job — the estimate still has to reach the customer in a form they can act on. With SendQuoteNow you add the customer, add your line items, and hit send. Your customer gets a branded PDF plus a link where they approve or decline with one click, and you get an email the moment they do.
- Your branding, not ours — your logo, business name, contact details, and terms on every document.
- From your phone — build and send the estimate before you leave the customer's property.
- One-click approval — no login or account needed on your customer's side.
- Automatic math — subtotal, tax, and discounts calculated as you type.
- Estimate → invoice — convert accepted work into an invoice without retyping it.