Free estimate generator

Questions people ask

What is the difference between an estimate and a quote?

An estimate is your best approximation of what a job will cost and can move as the work is understood. A quote is a fixed price you are offering to be held to. The words matter: give a client a document headed QUOTE when you meant an estimate and you have arguably agreed to that number. This tool prints 'an estimate, not a fixed price' under the total for exactly that reason. If you want the fixed version, use the quote generator instead.

Can the client sign and return it?

Yes. Every estimate carries an acceptance block at the bottom — signature, printed name and date — with your terms printed at full width directly above it, so what is being agreed to is on the same page as the signature agreeing to it.

Can I ask for a deposit?

Yes. Set a percentage and the estimate prints the deposit as a real amount, worked out from the figure the client is looking at. A deposit mentioned only in the covering email is a deposit that gets argued about after the job starts.

Should an estimate have an expiry date?

Yes, and this one puts it in a band across the top rather than in small print. Material and labour prices move, and an estimate with no expiry is a number someone can hold you to next year.

Do I have to make an account?

No. Nothing here asks you to sign up, and the tool works fully signed out.

Can I turn an accepted estimate into an invoice?

Yes, and it is the main reason to use both. Your business details, your logo, your saved clients and your saved rates are shared across every tool on Bindery, so opening the invoice generator afterwards means the same client and the same lines are one tap away rather than retyped.

Is my client's information sent anywhere?

No. The estimate is built inside your browser on your own device, and the PDF is created there too. Nothing you type is uploaded to us, because there is nothing on our side to receive it. Open your browser's Network tab while you fill the form and you will see no request carrying your data.

Does it handle sales tax, GST, VAT or HST?

Yes. Name the tax whatever your country calls it and set the rate; it is applied to the subtotal and shown as its own line, so the client sees what the total actually includes.