What a remodeling proposal is for
Remodel customers often call with a picture from the internet and a budget that does not match it. Three levels on the same room show what a refresh costs versus a full gut versus a new layout, so the customer can find where their budget and wish list meet. It replaces the awkward budget conversation with a choice.
What to put on a remodeling proposal
- The same room and measurements.
- What each level changes: finishes, fixtures, layout.
- Allowances in each.
- Permits where the level needs them.
- Timeline differences.
- One acceptance line.
A worked example
The same primary bath. Price each level from your own costs and allowances.
Option 1: Good: refresh. Keep the layout; new vanity, toilet, fixtures, paint and floor.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Remove vanity, toilet and floor | 1 | each | Your price |
| Vanity, top and fixtures allowance | 1 | each | Your price |
| Floor tile setting | 70 | sq ft | Your price |
| Paint | 300 | sq ft | Your price |
Option 2: Better: full remodel. Gut to studs, tile shower, new everything in the same layout.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition to studs | 1 | each | Your price |
| Plumbing rough-in and finish | 1 | each | Your price |
| Shower waterproofing and tile | 110 | sq ft | Your price |
| Floor tile setting | 70 | sq ft | Your price |
| Fixtures allowance | 1 | each | Your price |
| Permits and inspections | 1 | each | Your price |
Option 3: Best: new layout. Remove the tub for a walk-in shower, move the vanity wall, add heated floor.
| Line | Qty | Unit | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demolition to studs | 1 | each | Your price |
| Framing: move vanity wall | 1 | each | Your price |
| Plumbing relocation and finish | 1 | each | Your price |
| Walk-in shower, waterproofing and tile | 140 | sq ft | Your price |
| Heated floor mat and tile | 70 | sq ft | Your price |
| Fixtures allowance | 1 | each | Your price |
| Permits and inspections | 1 | each | Your price |
Say in each option's note what the customer will notice: same layout with new surfaces, or a new shower where the tub was. Customers choose on what they will see.
Line items remodelers use
| Line item | Unit | How to write it |
|---|---|---|
| Demolition and haul-away | each | Say what stays: cabinets, flooring, fixtures. |
| Dumpster | each | Size and how long it stays. |
| Framing changes | hour | Walls moved or added; say whether walls are load bearing. |
| Plumbing rough-in and finish | each | By a licensed plumber where required. |
| Electrical rough-in and finish | each | By a licensed electrician where required. |
| Drywall hang, tape and finish | sq ft | Level of finish. |
| Cabinets, supply and install | ft | Linear feet; brand and door style. |
| Countertops, fabricate and install | sq ft | Material, edge and sink cutouts. |
| Tile, floor or wall | sq ft | Tile allowance per square foot, plus setting. |
| Flooring | sq ft | Material and underlayment. |
| Fixtures allowance | each | Allowance amount the customer picks within. |
| Paint | sq ft | Walls, ceilings and trim in the remodeled space. |
| Permits and inspections | each | Building, plumbing and electrical as required. |
| Project management and cleanup | day | Daily site cleanup and coordination. |
Terms and deposit language for remodeling
- Deposit. A deposit at signing secures the schedule and orders long-lead items like cabinets. Many states limit home improvement deposits and require specific contract language, so check your state's rules.
- Payment. Progress payments tied to milestones such as demolition, rough-in inspection, cabinets set and substantial completion, with a final payment after the punch list.
- Warranty. State your workmanship warranty and that products carry their makers' warranties. Say how warranty requests are made.
- Allowances: if the customer picks items above the allowance, the difference is a change order.
- Hidden conditions behind walls and floors are priced by change order before the work.
- Lead times for cabinets, tile and fixtures can move the schedule; say how you communicate it.
How to fill it in
- Fill in the customer and the job.
- Check each option's name, its one-line difference and its lines.
- Add your prices; each option totals on its own.
- Set tax, the deposit and the good-until date.
- Print it, download it, or send it from Koira so the customer can pick and sign on the phone.
Free tools for remodeling
- Flooring cost calculator
- Drywall cost calculator
- Demolition cost calculator
- Markup calculator
- Profit margin calculator
The same proposal for other trades: appliance repair, auto detailing, carpet cleaning, chimney, house cleaning, commercial cleaning, concrete, drywall, electrical, fence, flooring, garage door, general contractor, gutter, handyman, hvac, irrigation, junk removal, landscaping, lawn care, locksmith, moving, painting, pest control, plumbing, pool service, pressure washing, roofing, septic, snow removal, solar, tree service, waterproofing, window cleaning.
More for remodelers: how remodelers run on Koira.