Free Project Estimate Generator (Create Cost Estimates Online)
Create a professional cost estimate for your projects in seconds. Our free online estimate maker is perfect for contractors, freelancers, and small businesses to project costs and win new clients. No signup required.
How to Create an Estimate in 4 Simple Steps
Our free estimate generator is designed to be straightforward and fast. Follow these steps to produce a professional document in minutes.
Fill in Details
Enter your business and client information, then list your services or products with quantities and rates.
Set Validity
Specify a "Valid Until" date to let your client know how long the estimated price is good for. A 30-day period is standard.
Review & Customize
Use the live preview to review your estimate. Add optional discounts, taxes, and specific terms for your project.
Download Your PDF
Once you're satisfied, download a clean, professional PDF of your estimate instantly, with no watermarks.
What Is a Project Estimate?
A clear, professional estimate is the first step toward winning a new project. It sets clear expectations by outlining the projected scope and cost upfront.
A project estimate is an essential document for any service-based business. Whether you are a freelancer, a contractor, or a small business owner, sending a well-structured cost projection is crucial for demonstrating professionalism. Using a free estimate generator saves you from the hassle of complex software or manual document creation, which often leads to errors.
Our tool is designed for anyone needing to create a project estimate for free. It's perfect for web developers, graphic designers, writers, consultants, and construction contractors. The simple interface allows you to quickly list your services, calculate costs, and produce a PDF document ready to be sent. Being an online tool, you can access it from any device without installation.
Estimate vs. Invoice vs. Quotation: Understanding the Difference
While they may look similar, these documents serve very different purposes in a business workflow. Understanding the distinction is key to professional communication.
Estimate
A rough calculation of the likely cost. It is flexible and not legally binding.
- Purpose: Cost projection
- Binding: No
- When: Before work starts
Quotation
A formal, fixed-price offer for a specific job, valid for a set period.
- Purpose: Fixed-price offer
- Binding: Yes, upon acceptance
- When: Before work starts
Invoice
A final bill issued after work is complete to request payment.
- Purpose: Request payment
- Binding: Yes
- When: After work is done
When Should You Use an Estimate?
An estimate is the perfect tool for the initial stages of a client discussion. Use it when the project scope is not yet finalized or when material costs are subject to change. It allows you to provide a ballpark figure without committing to a fixed price, giving both you and your client flexibility. Once details are confirmed, you can issue a formal quotation or proceed to an invoice after completion.