Project Quotation for Custom Carpentry and Furniture

What a good one includes

• A highly specific breakdown of the design, dimensions, wood species, and finishes to ensure both parties are envisioning the exact same piece of furniture.
• A clear list detailing the wood type, sheet goods, specialized hardware, and finishing supplies required, showing clients the raw value going into their build.
• An honest estimation of workshop fabrication hours and on-site installation time, clearly separated so the client understands the physical effort involved.
• A structured timeline outlining the initial deposit required to purchase materials, milestone payments, and the final balance due upon completion or installation.
• Realistic target dates for design approval, fabrication, and final delivery, factoring in current workshop backlogs and drying times for finishes.
• A clause specifying how many design iterations are included in the price and the hourly rate for any changes requested after work begins.

Common mistakes to avoid

• Carpenters often calculate workshop hours perfectly but fail to bill for leveling uneven walls, navigating tricky staircases, or scribing trim on-site.
• Writing vague descriptions like wood instead of solid rift-sawn white oak leads to clients expecting premium materials while paying for lower-grade substitutes.
• Leaving a quote open-ended risks having to honor outdated pricing months later when lumber or hardware costs have spiked.
• Spending hours on detailed 3D renderings or CAD drawings without factoring that skilled design time into the final quotation.

Frequently asked questions