Free Estimate Maker
Give your customer a clear, itemized estimate before the work starts. Add labor and materials, set how long the estimate is valid, and preview it as you go.
How to write an estimate
- Your business. Add your business name and contact details so the customer can accept or ask questions.
- Customer. Enter who the estimate is for and, if it helps, the job address in the details step.
- Items. Break the job into lines: labor, materials, equipment, disposal. Customers trust itemized numbers more than one lump sum.
- Details. Set the estimate number and a “valid until” date, so prices don't stay open forever.
- Preview and finish. In the BePaid app, estimates are created as quotes, and an accepted quote turns into an invoice in a tap.
What a good estimate includes
| Section | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Scope of work | What's included, in plain words, one line per part of the job. |
| Labor and materials | Separate lines, so the customer can see where the money goes. |
| Valid-until date | How long your prices hold. 15 to 30 days is common. |
| Assumptions | In the notes: what could change the price, like hidden damage or permit fees. |
| Estimate number | So the customer can refer to it when they say yes. |
Frequently asked questions
Is an estimate the same as an invoice?
No. An estimate tells the customer roughly what a job will cost before you start; it doesn't ask for payment. An invoice asks for payment. See invoice vs. estimate.
Can the final price be different from the estimate?
An estimate is an approximation, so the final invoice can differ. It's good practice to say in the notes what could change the price and to get the customer's approval before going over. Rules for home-improvement work vary by state, so check yours.
How do I turn an estimate into an invoice?
In the BePaid app, estimates are created as quotes. When the customer accepts, you can turn the quote into an invoice without retyping it.
Is the estimate maker free?
Yes, creating and previewing an estimate here is free, with no signup. The final version is made in the BePaid iPhone app.
Templates, trades and guides
- Contractor invoice templateA contractor invoice template with job site and permit fields, separate labor and materials lines, and tax on materials. Fill it out free in your browser.
- Construction invoice templateA construction invoice template for progress billing, with project, job site and draw number fields, phase-based line items and Net 30 terms by default.
- Landscaping invoice templateA landscaping invoice template with property address and service period fields, for lawn care routes, seasonal cleanups and planting jobs with materials.
- Invoices for contractorsDeposits, draws, change orders, materials and labor on separate lines, so the homeowner or GC sees exactly what they're paying for.
- Invoices for plumbersService call, labor, parts and after-hours charges, clearly itemized so the customer knows what the fix cost.
- Invoices for electriciansFrom a single outlet repair to a 200-amp service upgrade, bill each part of the job on its own line.
- Invoice vs. Estimate: What's the Difference?An estimate is an approximate price before work starts; an invoice requests payment after. See how they differ, when to use each, and how to move from one to the other.
- Invoice vs. QuoteA quote is a fixed-price offer made before work begins; an invoice asks for payment afterward. How they differ, and how to turn a quote into an invoice.
- How to Write an InvoiceLearn how to write an invoice clients pay on time: what to include, how to describe your work, set payment terms and send it, with a worked example.
BePaid: Free Invoice Maker 2Go
Free on the App Store · iPhone
Finish and send it from your iPhone
The BePaid app creates the final, clean PDF invoice, and your first invoice is free. It also keeps track of who has paid.
- Invoices & quotesCreate both, and turn an accepted quote into an invoice in a tap.
- Clients & saved itemsKeep customer details and your usual services ready to reuse.
- Payment statusSee what's paid, unpaid and overdue at a glance.
- Expenses & receiptsSnap a photo of a receipt and log the expense.
- Your brandAdd your logo and signature, and pick from 8 invoice styles.
- Send as PDFShare the finished invoice by email or message from your iPhone.
