Estimate Template

1. Fill in your company information. Enter your company name, phone, email, and license number. These appear in the header of your estimate. The estimate number auto-generates but you can change it to match your numbering system.

2. Add the customer details. Enter the customer name, address, and phone. This information populates the estimate header so the customer knows exactly who it was prepared for.

3. Assess the current system. Document the existing fixture or system type, age, and condition. This builds credibility and gives the customer context for why replacement is recommended. Add notes about specific issues you found during your inspection.

4. Build your Good/Better/Best options. Enter fixture descriptions, specifications, and costs for each tier. The Good option should be the basic solution. Better adds efficiency or capacity. Best is the premium package. Totals calculate automatically as you type.

5. Generate and print. Click "Generate Estimate PDF" to open a clean, print-ready estimate in a new window. Use your browser's print function to save as PDF or print directly. The estimate includes all three options, scope of work, and terms.

Customers want to choose, not be told. Presenting a single option forces a yes-or-no decision, and "no" is easy. Three options shift the conversation from "should I buy" to "which one should I pick." This psychological reframe is why tiered pricing consistently outperforms single-option proposals in home services.

The middle option wins most of the time. This is the compromise effect. When presented with three choices, most people avoid the cheapest (feels like cutting corners) and the most expensive (feels excessive). The Better option feels reasonable and safe. If you use Good/Better/Best, expect 50 to 60 percent of customers to pick the middle tier.

Your average ticket goes up without a hard sell. Even the customers who pick Good are choosing from a menu rather than haggling on price. And the 15 to 20 percent who pick Best are upselling themselves. The net effect is a higher average ticket with less sales friction.

It builds trust and positions you as an advisor. Presenting options shows the customer you are not just pushing the most expensive fixture. You are giving them information and letting them make an informed decision. That transparency builds trust, which leads to referrals and repeat business.

Water heater replacements. After inspecting a failing water heater, sit down with the homeowner and fill this out on your tablet or laptop. Walk them through each option — standard tank, high-efficiency tank, tankless conversion — and show the totals. Print or email the estimate before you leave.

Re-pipe and fixture upgrade consultations. When a customer needs a whole-house re-pipe or wants to upgrade their fixtures, the Good/Better/Best format works especially well. Good is a basic PEX re-pipe, Better adds manifold distribution, Best includes on-demand recirculation.

Commercial bids and property managers. Property managers and commercial clients expect itemized, professional estimates. This template gives them the breakdown they need to compare bids and get approval from ownership. The tiered format lets the decision maker choose the level of investment without going back and forth on revisions.