What should a home construction bid sheet include?

Cost categories by trade, permits and soft costs, general conditions, allowances, overhead, profit, contingency, inclusions and exclusions.

What is an allowance on a bid sheet?

A set amount for items not yet selected, such as fixtures, flooring and appliances.

How detailed should a new home bid be?

Detailed enough that the client can compare bids and see what is included, usually by trade category.

Should overhead and profit be shown separately?

Many builders show them as one fee line; either way, the total should be clear.

How long should a bid price be valid?

State a validity period on the bid, since material prices change.

Can you prepare the estimate behind a bid sheet?

Yes. We prepare residential takeoffs and estimates organized for your bid sheet.

New Home Construction Bid Sheet: What to Include

Design Estimation TeamUpdated October 21, 20262 min read

Quick AnswerA new home construction bid sheet summarizes the estimate by cost category: site work, foundation, framing, roofing, windows and doors, exterior, plumbing, HVAC, electrical, insulation and drywall, interior finishes, cabinets and countertops, flooring, appliances, exterior improvements, permits and soft costs, general conditions, allowances, overhead and profit. It should also list inclusions, exclusions, allowances and payment terms, so the homeowner knows exactly what the price covers.

A home construction bid sheet is often the first document a client compares between builders. A clear one builds trust and prevents disputes. For the estimating behind it, see our residential construction estimating guide.

Bid Sheet Layout

Line	Category	Notes
1	Plans, permits and fees	Design, engineering, permit and impact fees
2	Site work	Clearing, excavation, utilities, driveway
3	Foundation	Footings, slab or basement, waterproofing
4	Framing	Lumber, trusses, sheathing, labor
5	Roofing	Roof system and gutters
6	Windows and exterior doors	Per schedule
7	Exterior finishes	Siding, trim, paint
8	Plumbing	Rough-in and fixtures (allowance if not selected)
9	HVAC	Equipment and ductwork
10	Electrical	Service, wiring, fixtures (allowance)
11	Insulation and drywall	Per plans and energy code
12	Interior finishes	Trim, doors, paint
13	Cabinets and countertops	Allowance or selected
14	Flooring	Allowance or selected
15	Appliances	Allowance
16	Exterior improvements	Landscaping, walks, decks
17	General conditions	Supervision, dumpsters, temporary utilities, cleanup
18	Overhead and profit	Builder’s fee
19	Contingency	For unknowns

Request a Free Quote

Fill in your details and we’ll get back to you with a quote.

Quote reply within 1 hour
Estimates in 24–48 hours
Prepared by human estimators

Full Name

This field is required.

Phone Number

This field is required.

Allowances

List each allowance with its amount and what it covers (material only, or material and installation). If the client’s selections exceed the allowance, the difference is a change. Unclear allowances are the most common source of disputes.

Inclusions and Exclusions

State what is included (for example, standard grading and a gravel driveway) and what is excluded (for example, landscaping beyond the plan, window coverings, or utility company fees). The same structure works for any new construction bid sheet, from homes to small commercial buildings.

Tips for a Better Bid Sheet

Base every line on a quantity takeoff, not a rough square-foot number.
Keep categories consistent between bids, so clients can compare.
Show allowances separately from fixed-price items.
Date the bid and state how long the price is valid.

See our quantity estimation for a residential building and construction estimating and bidding guide.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Quick answers to the questions contractors ask us most.

What should a home construction bid sheet include?
Cost categories by trade, permits and soft costs, general conditions, allowances, overhead, profit, contingency, inclusions and exclusions.
What is an allowance on a bid sheet?
A set amount for items not yet selected, such as fixtures, flooring and appliances.
How detailed should a new home bid be?
Detailed enough that the client can compare bids and see what is included, usually by trade category.
Should overhead and profit be shown separately?
Many builders show them as one fee line; either way, the total should be clear.
How long should a bid price be valid?
State a validity period on the bid, since material prices change.
Can you prepare the estimate behind a bid sheet?
Yes. We prepare residential takeoffs and estimates organized for your bid sheet.