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Estimate documents

Client copy estimate.

A client copy estimate is a polished version of your estimate intended for the client. It shows total costs by element or trade area without revealing the detailed rates and build-ups that a competitor could use.

Who this guide is for

Contractors and builders presenting prices to domestic clients, main contractors providing cost information to employers, and any situation where you need a professional but commercially safe document.

What the client copy includes

The document typically shows: project details, summary of costs by element or work section, total estimate including VAT, payment schedule or stage payments, assumptions and exclusions, validity period, and signatures. It does not include unit rates, productivity assumptions, or supplier prices.

Miniature example

A client copy for a loft conversion might show: Structural works £18,500, Roofing £9,200, Windows £4,800, Electrics £5,500, Plumbing £4,200, Finishes £11,000, Preliminaries £5,500. Total £58,700. The client sees clear section totals but not that the joinery rate is £32/hour or the plasterboard cost is £4.80 per sheet.

Common mistakes

• Giving the client your working estimate with all rates visible
• Omitting payment schedules or terms, leading to payment disputes later
• Not including a section for assumptions and exclusions