Handyman estimate template

An estimate lists the small jobs you will do on one visit, what each costs, and the least you will charge. Below is a half-day visit with five jobs, then five plain questions.

Worked example: five small jobs in one half-day

These are example amounts, not market rates. The "$" stands for your own currency, and tax is left out.

The visit has a half-day minimum of 4 hours at $65.00 an hour. That is $260.00 of labour, even when the jobs take less time.

• Time: 0.75 + 0.5 + 1.0 + 0.5 + 0.75 = 3.5 hours. That is under the 4-hour minimum, so labour is billed at 4 hours: 4 × $65.00 = $260.00.
• Materials: $18.00 + $6.50 + $11.50 + $9.00 + $13.00 = $58.00.
• Call-out and assessment: $40.00.
• Disposal of the old door fittings: $15.00.
• Estimate total: $260.00 + $58.00 + $40.00 + $15.00 = $373.00.

Now say the work runs to 4.75 hours. The estimate states that time past 4 hours is billed at the same rate. Labour becomes 4.75 × $65.00 = $308.75. The total becomes $308.75 + $58.00 + $40.00 + $15.00 = $421.75. Check it another way: the extra 0.75 hours cost $48.75, and $373.00 + $48.75 = $421.75.

Make your own estimate

Make an estimate with your own jobs, rates and minimum. Once the client says yes, turn it into a work order.

Five plain questions

Should I charge by the hour or per job?

This is practice, not a rule. An hourly rate suits jobs where the time is unclear. A price per job suits jobs you know well. The example above does both: a rate for time and a stated minimum. Whichever you pick, put it in writing before you start.

Do I charge for the call-out and assessment?

You may. In New Zealand, the consumer regulator says a business must tell you beforehand if it charges a fee for preparing a quote. Other countries may differ, and we found no official source for them. Show the call-out as its own line on the estimate, as above.

What if the client adds a job on the day?

Add it to the estimate and agree the new total before you start. New Zealand's regulator says a provider cannot charge more than an accepted quote unless the client agrees to extra work. That is guidance on quotes. We did not find one for estimates, so write the change down and get a yes.

Is a deposit worth asking for on a small job?

That is your choice, and we found no rule on it. A deposit mainly helps when you must buy materials first. In the example, the materials come to $58.00, so a deposit may not be worth the paperwork. Say the terms on the estimate either way.

How do I round up to a fair total?

Show the exact total and tell the client if you round. In the example, $373.00 could become $375.00. Say so on the estimate, so the client sees it before the work, not after. This is practice, not a rule.

Checked 22 October 2026 against consumerprotection.govt.nz (Quotes and estimates).

Sources

• MBIE Consumer Protection (NZ): Quotes and estimates, read 22 October 2026

About this page: written by Papertern from the official sources linked on this page, and checked against them. Rules checked 22 October 2026.

Estimate makers by country

Each country edition uses the same tax name and business ID field as that country's invoice maker, with this preset selected.

Other trade estimate presets

• Contractor estimate template
• Roofing estimate template
• Painting estimate template