AT A GLANCE
A 400-square-foot basement finishing example with 12 itemized costs, USD 11,950 subtotal, USD 346.55 illustrative tax and USD 12,296.55 total. Includes a real app PDF.
One scope. Every cost in view.
This example turns an unfinished 400-square-foot basement in Colorado into a usable room with finished walls, carpet, recessed lighting, and a wet bar. The scope includes framing, insulation, drywall, electrical work, plumbing rough-in, finishes, cleanup, and allowances.
It is a practical demonstration of how a contractor can communicate a project’s parts. The quantities and base costs come from the basement example in the app project. The PDF was generated with the app’s current PDF export renderer using the business and customer details below.
This is an illustrative estimate with example project and contact details. Replace the quantities, prices, and tax with the values for your own job.
Give the client a name behind the numbers.
Your document should make it easy to identify who prepared it, who it is for, and which job it covers.
Cedar & Beam BuildersRemodeling & finishing · Colorado, USA
(303) 555-0148
Prepared for Jordan Taylor
400 sq. ft. basement project · Colorado, USA
Issued: September 18, 2026
Valid through: November 2, 2026
In your own estimate, replace these details with your business logo, name, address, phone, email, and website, plus the customer’s contact information.
The cost breakdown
Quantities multiplied by unit costs produce the line totals. This example applies no markup and uses a 2.9% illustrative tax input across the subtotal.
| Work item | Quantity | Unit cost | Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Framing & insulation | 1 lump sum | $1,800.00 | $1,800.00 |
| Drywall installation | 800 sq. ft. | $2.50 | $2,000.00 |
| Electrical installation | 10 hours | $70.00 | $700.00 |
| Recessed lighting fixtures | 8 each | $50.00 | $400.00 |
| Wet bar plumbing rough-in | 1 lump sum | $600.00 | $600.00 |
| Wet bar cabinets & countertop | 1 lump sum | $1,200.00 | $1,200.00 |
| Carpet installation | 400 sq. ft. | $4.50 | $1,800.00 |
| Paint & primer | 800 sq. ft. | $1.50 | $1,200.00 |
| Doors & trim installation | 4 each | $150.00 | $600.00 |
| Permits & inspections allowance | 1 lump sum | $400.00 | $400.00 |
| Cleanup & disposal | 1 lump sum | $250.00 | $250.00 |
| Contingency allowance | 1 lump sum | $1,000.00 | $1,000.00 |
| Subtotal | $11,950.00 | ||
| Illustrative tax (2.9%) | $346.55 | ||
| Example total | $12,296.55 | ||
What needs a site visit? Existing moisture, ceiling height, egress, structural changes, and service capacity can change the work. The sample is not a claim that these items are included or adequate. Confirm the scope before quoting.
Open the real PDF export.
The download is a two-page PDF produced by the app’s export engine, using the data shown here. It includes the business and customer blocks, scope, quantities, unit costs, totals, notes, and signature area.
Build your own version.
- Enter your project location, measurements, finishes, and scope.
- Review each suggested item. Replace example rates with your own labor, supplier, and subcontractor costs.
- Add your business and customer details. Review the tax, markup, validity, and notes.
- Preview the PDF, check the complete document, and share it with the client.
Follow the full guide to creating your first contractor estimate.
