# Customer Bid Proposal

Turns your internal job estimate into a clean, professional customer-facing bid that states the scope, price, exclusions, and terms. Use it after you have finalized your numbers and need a document you can send or hand to the customer.

## Prompt

## Context
You help a [TRADE TYPE] contractor write a customer bid proposal. The contractor is [COMPANY NAME], license number [LICENSE NUMBER]. The customer is [CUSTOMER NAME] at [JOB ADDRESS]. The job is [JOB DESCRIPTION].

Finalized estimate figures (already reviewed and approved by the contractor):
- Total price: [TOTAL PRICE]
- Payment terms: [PAYMENT TERMS]
- Estimated start date: [START DATE]
- Estimated completion: [COMPLETION DATE OR DURATION]

Scope items to include:
[SCOPE LIST]

Exclusions:
[EXCLUSIONS LIST]

Allowances or assumptions (materials the customer may select or costs that may vary):
[ALLOWANCES]

Warranty or workmanship guarantee (exact wording from the contractor):
[WARRANTY]

## Task
Write a one to two page customer bid proposal with these sections:
1. Header: contractor name, license, customer name, job address, date, and a proposal number placeholder
2. Scope of work: clear plain-language list of what is included
3. Exclusions: what is not included and what triggers an additional cost
4. Allowances and assumptions
5. Price and payment terms
6. Schedule
7. Warranty (exact wording as provided)
8. Acceptance line: customer signature, date, and a note that acceptance constitutes a contract

## Standards
- Use only the price, dates, and terms the contractor provided. Never invent a figure or a date.
- Plain professional language. No sales language or guarantees beyond what the contractor stated.
- The warranty section must use the contractor's exact wording. Do not soften or expand it.
- Note that this proposal does not constitute legal advice; the contractor should have any contract reviewed by qualified counsel.
- If scope, price, or payment terms are missing, ask before writing the proposal.

## Variables

- TRADE TYPE
- COMPANY NAME
- LICENSE NUMBER
- CUSTOMER NAME
- JOB ADDRESS
- JOB DESCRIPTION
- TOTAL PRICE
- PAYMENT TERMS
- START DATE
- COMPLETION DATE OR DURATION
- SCOPE LIST
- EXCLUSIONS LIST
- ALLOWANCES
- WARRANTY

## Input checklist

- [ ] Your finalized, reviewed total price from your estimate, not a rough number
- [ ] Exact payment terms: deposit amount, progress payment triggers, and balance due date
- [ ] A complete scope list and exclusions list so the customer knows what is and is not covered
- [ ] Your actual license number and any bond or insurance language your state requires on bids
- [ ] Confirm all prices and schedule dates come from your own planning, not from the AI
- [ ] Keep customer payment account details and personal identifying information out of this prompt; use name and job address only

## Verification checklist

- [ ] Read the total price in the proposal and confirm it matches your reviewed estimate exactly
- [ ] Check every scope item against your estimate; nothing should appear in the proposal that is not in your estimate
- [ ] Read the exclusions list and confirm it covers every item your customer might assume is included
- [ ] Verify the payment terms are stated correctly: deposit, progress payments, and final payment
- [ ] Confirm the warranty section uses your exact wording, with nothing added or removed
- [ ] Check your license number against your actual license card or state registration
- [ ] Have a qualified attorney review this proposal before using it as a binding contract

## Sample output

Sample output. Generated by AI from sample inputs:

BID PROPOSAL
Ridgeline Electric | License No. EC-48821
Date: June 13, 2026 | Proposal No. 2026-047

Customer: Maria Delgado
Job address: 4412 Creekside Dr., Millbrook, CO 80401

Scope of work
Ridgeline Electric proposes to furnish all labor and materials to complete the following at the job address:
- Upgrade existing 100A main panel to 200A service (Square D QO series)
- Install four new 20A branch circuits for kitchen appliances
- Install GFCI-protected outlets at all kitchen countertop locations per current code
- Obtain and post the required electrical permit
- Final inspection and sign-off by county inspector

Exclusions
The following are NOT included in this proposal:
- Drywall repair or painting after wire runs
- Any work outside the kitchen and utility room
- Corrections to pre-existing code violations found during work (priced separately if discovered)

Allowances and assumptions
- Panel location remains at current utility room wall. Relocation, if required, is priced separately.
- Work assumes accessible attic space for cable runs. If access is blocked, additional hours apply.

Price and payment terms
Total price: $2,188.50
- Deposit due at signing: $875.00 (40%)
- Progress payment at rough-in completion: $875.00
- Balance at final inspection: $438.50

Schedule
Estimated start: July 7, 2026
Estimated completion: 2 days from start, weather and inspection schedule permitting

Warranty
Ridgeline Electric warrants all labor for one year from the date of final inspection. Manufacturer warranties apply to all materials.

Acceptance
By signing below, the customer accepts this proposal and authorizes Ridgeline Electric to proceed. This signed proposal constitutes a contract between the parties.

Customer signature: ___________________________ Date: ___________

Note: This proposal does not constitute legal advice. Consult qualified counsel before using this or any proposal as a binding contract.

## Customization notes

For commercial jobs, add a section for insurance certificate requirements and lien waiver terms if the general contractor requires them. If you operate without a written warranty, leave that section out rather than inventing language. On T and M jobs, replace the fixed price line with your hourly rate, materials markup, and a not-to-exceed figure if you offer one.

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From The Skilled Trades Business Library at vetslearn.com/libraries/trades