Joist removed its permanent free plan. New users get a 14-day free trial, after which a paid subscription is required. The Basics plan starts at $10/month billed monthly, or $8.34/month on an annual billing cycle. The Basics plan limits you to five documents per month, which is enough for occasional use but constraining for a contractor who quotes several jobs a week.

This is a common source of confusion in contractor software roundups that were written before Joist changed its model. If you saw an older article calling Joist free, verify the current pricing at joist.com/pricing before assuming that is still true.

A free trial gives you full access for a limited time, typically 14 to 30 days, after which you must pay or lose access. A free plan is a permanent tier with limited features that never expires and never requires a credit card to maintain.

Tools with genuine free plans include Zoho Invoice (unlimited, truly free), Wave Starter (unlimited, free with payment fees), Contractor+ Freedom (5 documents per month, permanent), and Bookipi (unlimited, free). Tools with free trials only, as of October 2026, include Joist, Jobber, Housecall Pro, Clear Estimates, and Tradify. When evaluating a tool, look for “free plan” versus “free trial” language. Annual billing rates advertised as monthly prices are another common source of sticker shock: a tool listed at $49/month may bill you $588 upfront at the start of the year.

The desktop version, yes. The file has no external scripts or fonts, and I built the full sample quote in this guide with the network switched off: entering line items, autosave, preview, and the .json backup all worked. The PDF is made through your browser’s own print window, which also works offline.

Drafts are kept in your browser’s local storage, so clearing browser data can remove them. Keep the PDF of every quote you send as your record and a .json backup (Download Draft) as your editable copy. The WordPress version is different: it lives on a web page, so you need a connection to load it.

The WordPress version of the kit includes HTML code. To install it, you open a WordPress page or post, add a Custom HTML block, and paste the code into that block. You then preview the page to confirm the quote tool and print controls load correctly, and you publish when it is working.

This requires a site that allows custom JavaScript in its content. Most self-hosted WordPress.org installations support this. WordPress.com plans below the Business tier do not allow custom JavaScript. Managed hosting environments with JavaScript restrictions will also block it. If you are unsure whether your site supports custom JavaScript, the safest approach is to test a simple script in a Custom HTML block before purchasing.

No. The ISF Contractor Quote Kit generates a quote document. It does not send emails, collect payments, or store data on a server. To deliver the quote, you save it as a PDF (using your browser’s print-to-PDF function) and send that file however you normally communicate.

Two buttons help with that. Email Customer opens a new, unsent message in your own email program, addressed to the customer with a subject line and a plain-text summary; you attach the PDF yourself and click Send. Copy Quote Summary puts the same summary on your clipboard so you can paste it into a text or webmail. Either way, sending is a step done by you, not an automated workflow. If you need automatic email delivery or an integrated payment link, a field service platform like Joist, Jobber, or Housecall Pro handles that within their respective subscription plans.

Three concrete reasons.

First, the desktop kit is a file you own and control. It sits on your computer and works without an internet connection. You do not depend on any website staying online.

Second, the kit includes a WordPress version you can add to a compatible business website, giving you a branded quoting tool that lives on your domain. The free generator is a hosted tool at a different URL; it is not something you can embed on your own site.

Third, the kit is a one-time purchase. Over three years, you pay once. A subscription alternative at $10 to $17 per month costs $360 to $612 over the same period, for a tool that stops working if you cancel.

The free generator is the right choice if you quote occasionally, always have internet, and do not need the WordPress component. The kit is the right choice if you want a local workflow you own outright.

No, and this is an important distinction. The quote kit is a document generator. You enter the prices you have already decided on, and it formats them into a professional quote. It does not calculate whether those prices cover your overhead, labor burden, or profit margin.

If you need help checking that your pricing is actually profitable before you send the quote, that is a separate tool. Jay also offers a Contractor Pricing and Job Costing System ($79, one-time) that helps with labor cost, overhead allocation, markup versus margin, and break-even calculations. See the details at instantsalesfunnels.com. The quote kit and the pricing system serve different parts of the job; together they cover the full workflow from price check to customer document.

An acceptance or signature line on a quote can support a binding agreement, but whether it does depends on the terms you include, how the document is signed, and your local laws. A quote document is not a substitute for legal advice or a formal construction contract in jurisdictions that require specific contract language.

What the acceptance line does accomplish is create a written record of the customer’s agreement to the scope and price. That is valuable for managing change requests and disputes. For larger jobs, consult a local attorney or use a formal contract alongside the quote. For smaller service work, a clear scope, defined terms, and a signed acceptance line are often practical and common in the industry.

The ISF kit covers unlimited quotes for one licensed business. It is a local file and WordPress code, not a cloud account, so it does not sync quotes between devices or users. If you have a dispatcher creating quotes and field techs reviewing them from different locations, a cloud-based platform is the practical choice.

For small teams, Joist Pro ($14.17/month annual) or Contractor+ Pro Team ($58/month for two users) are reasonable starting points. For teams with more complex scheduling and dispatch needs, Jobber’s Connect tier ($99/month on an annual plan for one user, scaling with team size) or Workiz’s Professional plan ($99/month for up to five users) offer more structure. The multi-user tools cost more because they solve a genuinely harder coordination problem.

Yes. The free contractor quote generator at instantsalesfunnels.com allows you to add your business name and logo. The paid kit includes the same capability in both the desktop and WordPress versions. Logo upload and business branding are part of the standard quote tool, not a premium feature.

The license covers one contracting business using the tool for its own quoting. You can create unlimited quotes for your business. The license does not include resale rights, permission to give or sell copies to other contractors, white-label rights, or installation on multiple businesses’ websites. It is personal business use for one company.

In most browsers, press Ctrl+P (Windows) or Cmd+P (Mac) to open the print dialog. Set the destination to “Save as PDF” rather than a physical printer. Before saving, turn off “Headers and footers” in the print settings if you want a clean document without the browser’s URL and page number printed at the top and bottom.

This works for both the desktop version and the WordPress version of the quote tool. The PDF is saved to your Downloads folder or a location you choose. You then attach it to an email or send it however you communicate with customers.

For residential remodelers who regularly price unfamiliar jobs, Clear Estimates’ database of 13,000+ line items with quarterly updated rates can save meaningful time. If you price the same two or three types of jobs repeatedly and know your costs cold, you are paying $59 to $79 a month for a database you do not need.

The honest answer is that Clear Estimates is designed for contractors who are building cost estimates from the ground up, not for contractors who already know their numbers and just need a clean quote document. If you fit the second description, a simpler and cheaper tool is the better fit.

The desktop file is not Windows-only. The included guide gives Mac extraction steps and names Safari among the current browsers to use, but it also says seller testing for this release was done in Chromium (Chrome and Edge) on a desktop computer, and other browsers were not separately tested. My own run was also in Chromium. On a Mac, using Chrome or Edge matches the tested setup most closely.

For iPhone, the guide is direct: phones and tablets often cannot open a downloaded HTML file with full features, so use a computer for the downloaded version. If you want it on a phone, the guide points to the WordPress version, which runs from a page on your own website. For offline phone quoting, FieldQuote (one-time purchase, iOS and Android) is built for that environment.

The most common reason a WordPress installation does not work is that the hosting plan or site configuration does not allow custom JavaScript. This affects WordPress.com free and personal plans, and some locked managed hosting environments. Before purchasing, test whether your site allows a Custom HTML block with basic JavaScript. If it does, the kit should work. If it does not, the desktop version still works regardless of your WordPress situation and covers the core quoting workflow.

For specific purchase questions or compatibility concerns before buying, contact Jay through the Etsy listing or the instantsalesfunnels.com site. The Etsy listing is the purchase destination.

You have three practical options. The first is to paste self-contained HTML and JavaScript code into a page on your site. On WordPress, that means adding a Custom HTML block to a page, pasting the code, previewing, and publishing. The second is to embed a form or widget from a hosted service (many field service platforms and form builders offer a request-a-quote embed). The third is to hire a developer to build a custom calculator, which is the most flexible and the most expensive route.

Before you choose, check whether your site allows custom JavaScript. Self-hosted WordPress.org sites usually do, while WordPress.com plans below Business and some locked managed hosts do not. Also decide what you want the tool to do: a tool that helps you build and print branded quotes is a different thing from a lead form that asks visitors for project details.

If you want the paste-in-code route on WordPress, the Contractor Quote and Estimate Kit on Etsy includes a WordPress version that installs through a Custom HTML block, plus a desktop version that runs from a file on your computer.

Start by confirming the scope with the client: what work is included, what is excluded, and what materials or finishes they expect. Next, price the job from your own numbers: labor hours times your labor rate, materials with your markup, any subcontractor costs, permits or disposal fees, and an amount that covers overhead and profit.

Then put it into a clean document with your business name, logo, contact details, the client’s name and job address, a quote number and date, an itemized list of line items, subtotal, tax if applicable, and a total. Finish with your terms: how long the quote is valid, deposit and payment schedule, and an acceptance or signature line.

You can do this in a word processor, a spreadsheet, a quoting app, or a dedicated quote generator. A tool built for the job saves time because the layout, totals, and branding are already set up. The Contractor Quote and Estimate Kit is one buy-once option that formats your line items into a branded, printable quote you can save as a PDF.

Buy-once tools are a small category because most quoting software has moved to monthly subscriptions. The one-time options covered in this guide are the ISF Contractor Quote Kit (a desktop file plus a WordPress version), QuoteNovo (an installed Windows desktop app at $265 one-time), FieldQuote (a mobile app with a free tier and a one-time Pro upgrade), and PlanSwift (a blueprint takeoff tool sold as a one-time license).

They solve different problems. QuoteNovo suits contractors who want a traditional Windows program. FieldQuote suits contractors who quote from a phone in the field. PlanSwift is for estimators measuring quantities from drawings, not for simple service quotes. The ISF kit suits contractors who already know their prices and want a branded quote document they own, with an option to add the tool to a compatible WordPress site.

The trade-off with any one-time tool is that you usually give up cloud sync, automatic email delivery, e-signatures, and payment collection. If those features matter, a subscription platform is the better fit. If they do not, a one-time purchase like the ISF kit on Etsy avoids a monthly bill entirely.

At minimum, a contractor quote should include your business name, contact details, and license number where your state or locality requires it on written documents. It should show the client’s name and job address, a quote number, and the date issued. The core of the quote is a clear scope of work and an itemized list of labor, materials, and other costs with a subtotal, tax where applicable, and a total.

Good quotes also state what is not included, how long the price is valid (for example, 30 days), the deposit and payment schedule, the expected start date or timeline, and how change orders will be handled. An acceptance or signature line turns the quote into a written record of what the client agreed to.

The more specific the scope and exclusions, the fewer arguments you will have later. Vague line items like “bathroom work” invite disputes, while “remove and dispose of existing vanity, install client-supplied 36-inch vanity and faucet” does not.

Begin with a site visit or detailed photos and measurements, because an estimate is only as good as the information behind it. Break the job into phases or trades (demolition, framing, electrical, finishes, cleanup) and estimate each one separately for labor, materials, equipment, and subcontractors.

Add allowances for items the client has not chosen yet, such as tile or fixtures, and label them clearly as allowances so the client understands the final price may change. Then apply your overhead and profit, and include a contingency for jobs with hidden-condition risk, such as older homes or work behind walls.

Present it on a branded document with consistent formatting, plain-language line items, and clearly stated assumptions. State that it is an estimate, how long it is valid, and what would cause the final price to change. Professional presentation matters because clients often compare several estimates side by side, and the clearest one tends to look the most trustworthy.

In everyday use, an estimate is an approximate price based on the information available, and the final cost may change as the job progresses. A quote is usually understood as a firmer price for a defined scope, often valid for a stated period. Many contractors use the words interchangeably, so the label alone does not settle what the client is entitled to.

What actually matters is the language on the document. If you want flexibility, say it is an estimate and explain what could change the price (hidden conditions, client changes, material price increases). If you are committing to a fixed price, say so and define the scope tightly so extra work is clearly a change order.

Some states and localities have specific rules about written estimates for home improvement work, such as limits on how far the final bill can exceed the estimate without client approval. Check the rules where you work, or ask a local attorney if you are unsure.

Yes, and many contractors start this way. A spreadsheet handles the math well: you can set up columns for description, quantity, unit, unit price, and line total, with formulas for subtotal, tax, and grand total. Google Sheets has the advantage of working on any device and saving automatically to the cloud.

The weak point is presentation and consistency. Spreadsheets can look rough when printed, formulas get accidentally overwritten, and each new quote often starts as a copy of an old one with leftover details from the last client. Exporting a clean PDF usually takes some fiddling with print areas and page breaks.

If you like working in a spreadsheet, build a locked template with your logo and terms and keep a master copy you never edit directly. If you would rather skip the setup, a purpose-built quote generator such as the Contractor Quote and Estimate Kit or the free ISF generator handles the layout and totals for you.

It depends on what “free” means to you. Some tools offer a genuinely free plan with limits on the number of quotes, jobs, or features. Others advertise “free” but are actually 7 to 14-day free trials that convert to a monthly bill. Category B of this guide lists the options that have a real free plan, separate from the trials.

For simple branded quotes with no account or subscription, the free contractor quote generator at instantsalesfunnels.com is a no-cost starting point. Free plans from app-based platforms are useful if you want mobile access but usually cap usage or reserve features like e-signatures for paid tiers.

Free tools rarely include a cost database, so you still need to know your own labor rates and material costs. Pick the free tool that matches how you work, and only move to a paid tool when you hit a limit that actually costs you time or jobs.

A labor-only quote prices your time and skill while the client supplies the materials. Estimate the hours required, multiply by your hourly or daily rate, and add any trip charges, equipment rental, disposal, or consumables you will still provide (fasteners, caulk, blades). Many contractors set a minimum charge so small jobs still cover travel and setup time.

Be explicit about what the client is responsible for: buying the right materials, having them on site by a set date, and accepting that you are not warrantying products you did not supply. State what happens if materials are missing, damaged, or incorrect when you arrive, such as a return-trip fee or rescheduling.

Because you lose your material markup on labor-only jobs, your labor rate needs to carry your overhead and profit on its own. If your normal rate assumes markup income from materials, consider a slightly higher rate for labor-only work.

There is no single correct number, but many residential contractors mark up materials somewhere in the range of 10 to 30 percent, depending on trade, job size, and local market. The markup pays for the time spent sourcing, ordering, picking up, and handling materials, as well as the risk of returns, waste, and price changes.

Be careful not to confuse markup with margin. A 20 percent markup on $1,000 of materials gives you $1,200, but your margin on that sale is about 16.7 percent, not 20. If your business plan assumes a 20 percent margin, you need a markup of 25 percent to reach it.

Some contractors show material markup as a separate line, while others build it into unit prices. Either is common. What matters is that your total price covers your real costs, overhead, and profit. A job costing tool such as the Contractor Pricing and Job Costing System mentioned above can help you check that math.

Start by adding up your annual overhead: insurance, vehicles, fuel, tools, phone, software, office costs, licensing, advertising, accounting, and your own non-billable time. Divide that by your expected annual direct job costs (or billable hours) to get an overhead percentage or an hourly overhead rate.

For each job, total the direct costs (labor, materials, subcontractors, equipment, permits), then add your overhead share and a profit percentage on top. For example, if direct costs are $10,000, overhead runs 15 percent of direct costs, and you target 10 percent profit, a simple calculation would be $10,000 plus $1,500 overhead, then 10 percent profit on $11,500, for a price of $12,650.

Revisit your overhead figure at least once a year, because insurance, fuel, and software costs change. A common mistake is pricing jobs only to cover labor and materials, which leaves the business working hard without actually making money.

A scope of work is a written description of exactly what you will do on the job: the tasks, materials, quantities, locations, and quality standards. It also lists what is excluded, such as painting after drywall repair or hauling away client debris.

Yes, it should be in the quote or attached to it. The price only means something when tied to a specific scope. Without it, you and the client may have different ideas about what the number covers, which is how most payment disputes start.

Write it in plain language the client can understand, and be specific about quantities and finishes. When the client asks for something outside the scope after acceptance, the written scope is what lets you price it as a change order instead of absorbing the cost.

Remodeling is harder to price than new work because of hidden conditions. Start with a thorough walk-through, photos, and measurements, and ask about the age of the home and any past work. Break the job into phases (demo, rough-in, inspections, finishes, cleanup) and estimate labor, materials, and subcontractors for each phase.

Use allowances for client selections that are not finalized, such as cabinets, tile, and fixtures, and state the allowance amount on the quote. Add a contingency for the unknowns typical of remodels, like rot, outdated wiring, or out-of-level framing, or state clearly that hidden conditions will be priced as change orders.

Finally, apply your overhead and profit and check the total against your past jobs of similar size. If you have no history yet, a cost database tool like those in Category E can help you sanity-check unfamiliar line items, while your own records become more valuable with every job you track.

Many contractors give free quotes for straightforward jobs because it is expected in their market and helps win work. Charging becomes more common when the quote requires significant time: detailed design work, extensive measurements, plan review, or a long drive to a remote site.

A common middle ground is to charge a consultation or estimate fee and credit it toward the job if the client hires you. This filters out people collecting prices with no intention of hiring, while not penalizing serious clients.

If you charge, say so before the visit, state the amount, and explain whether it is credited. Clients react badly to surprise fees, but most accept a clearly stated fee for detailed work, especially when the alternative is a rough guess.

Generally, a quote becomes part of a binding agreement when it contains clear terms (scope, price, payment terms) and the client accepts it, for example by signing an acceptance line or otherwise clearly agreeing. Contract law varies by state and country, so the exact requirements depend on where you work.

Many states have specific rules for home improvement contracts, such as required written contracts above a dollar threshold, mandatory license numbers, required notices, and cancellation rights for certain residential sales. A simple quote with a signature line may not satisfy all of those requirements on its own.

For small service jobs, a detailed quote with a signed acceptance is often practical and common. For larger projects, use a formal contract that references the quote, and consult a local attorney to make sure your documents meet the rules in your area. This is general information, not legal advice.

Follow up within two to three days of sending the quote, while the job is still fresh in the client’s mind. Keep the first message short: confirm they received it, offer to answer questions, and mention one specific detail from your conversation so it does not feel like a form letter.

If you hear nothing, follow up again about a week later and once more before the quote’s validity date expires. Mentioning the expiration date is a polite, honest reason to reach out. Ask an easy question, such as whether the timeline still works or whether they would like to adjust the scope to fit a budget.

Track every open quote and its follow-up dates so nothing slips. The free Contractor Estimate Follow-Up Prompt Generator can help you draft a follow-up text or email tailored to the job and how long the quote has been sitting.

Yes. Mobile quoting apps let you build a quote on site and send it by text or email before you leave the driveway. Most field service platforms in Categories C and D have mobile apps, and FieldQuote is a one-time purchase app built for phone-based quoting with offline support.

If your quote tool runs in a browser, you can often use it on a phone, but entering many line items on a small screen is slower, and saving and attaching PDFs on a phone takes a few extra steps. A practical approach many contractors use is to take measurements and photos on the phone, then build the full quote on a laptop or tablet the same day.

Speed matters: a quote that arrives the same day often has a better chance than one that arrives a week later. Choose the workflow that lets you send a clear, professional quote quickly, whatever device that turns out to be.

A bid is usually a price submitted in a competitive process, where a client or general contractor invites several contractors to price the same plans and specifications by a deadline. Bids are common in commercial work, public projects, and subcontracting, and often follow a required format.

A quote is typically a price you prepare for a specific client based on your own assessment of the job, often for residential or service work. You define the scope yourself rather than responding to a set of drawings and specs written by someone else.

In practice, the terms overlap and many people use them interchangeably. When bidding, follow the instructions exactly, since a missing form or late submission can disqualify you. When quoting, you have more freedom in how you present the scope and price, which is a chance to stand out with clarity and professionalism.

Consumer advice commonly tells homeowners to get at least three quotes. From the contractor’s side, that means you should expect to be compared with two or more competitors on most residential jobs, and that you will not win every quote you send, even when your price is fair.

Since you are being compared, presentation and responsiveness matter almost as much as price. Homeowners often choose the contractor who responded quickly, explained the scope clearly, and sent a professional-looking document, not simply the lowest number. A vague one-line price is easy to dismiss next to a detailed, itemized quote.

Track your win rate (quotes accepted divided by quotes sent). If you are winning nearly every job, your prices may be too low. If you are winning very few, look at your speed, clarity, follow-up, and lead quality before cutting prices.

Get the basics first: the client’s name, phone, email, and job address, plus who the decision-makers are. Then gather details about the work itself: what they want done, measurements, photos, existing conditions, access to the work area, and any materials or finishes they have already chosen.

Ask about timing and budget. Knowing when they want the job done helps you schedule and price realistically, and a budget range tells you whether to propose a standard, upgraded, or scaled-down scope. Also ask whether permits, HOA approval, or an inspection are involved.

Finally, confirm who supplies materials, whether there are pets or occupants to work around, and how they prefer to receive the quote. A short intake checklist used on every call keeps you from missing details that later turn into surprise costs or disputes.