Scope of work template for contractors, with an example.

A scope of work is the part of your estimate or contract that says exactly what work you will do, what materials you will use, and what is not included. A clear scope of work protects your price. When a client asks for something extra, you point to the scope and write a change order instead of doing it for free.

What a scope of work includes

• Project summary: one or two sentences on what the job is.
• Work included: each task, room by room or step by step.
• Materials: who supplies them and the grade or model, or an allowance.
• Exclusions: what is not part of the price.
• Schedule: start date, rough length and what can delay it.
• Client responsibilities: clearing the room, picking finishes on time, access to the home.
• Changes: how extra work is priced and approved.
• Payment schedule: deposit, progress payments and final payment.

Free scope of work template

Copy this layout into your estimate and fill in each line.

1. Project: [type of job] at [address] for [client name].
2. Summary: [one sentence on the finished result].
3. Work included: [list each task in the order it will happen].
4. Materials supplied by contractor: [list items, brands or allowance amounts].
5. Materials supplied by client: [list items, if any].
6. Exclusions: [list what is not included].
7. Schedule: start [date], about [number] working days, weather and material delays excepted.
8. Client responsibilities: [access, selections due by date, pets, parking].
9. Changes: any work not listed above is extra and needs a signed change order before it starts.
10. Payment: [deposit %] on signing, [progress %] at [stage], [final %] on completion.

Scope of work example: bathroom remodel

Project: hall bathroom remodel, about 40 square feet.

Work included:

• Remove the existing tub, tile, vanity, toilet and flooring, and haul away debris.
• Install a new acrylic tub and cement board around it.
• Tile the tub walls to the ceiling with client-selected 12 x 24 tile.
• Install a new 36-inch vanity, top, faucet and mirror.
• Install new tile flooring over an uncoupling membrane.
• Reinstall the toilet with a new wax ring and supply line.
• Patch and paint walls and ceiling, one color.

Allowances: wall and floor tile $6 per square foot. Vanity, top and faucet $900. If the client picks items above the allowance, the difference is added by change order.

Exclusions: moving plumbing or electrical, repairing rot or mold found behind walls, permits if required, and work outside the bathroom. Hidden damage will be shown to the client and priced before repair.

Scope of work vs estimate vs contract

The estimate is your price. The scope of work explains what that price buys. The contract makes both binding and adds terms like warranties and how disputes are handled. Many small contractors put the scope inside the estimate, then attach the signed estimate to a short contract. See the construction contract template for the terms to add.

Construction proposal template

A construction proposal is a scope of work dressed up to win the job. Use this order:

1. A short thank-you and the project summary.
2. The scope of work and exclusions.
3. Options, such as a basic and an upgraded version, each with its price.
4. The schedule and payment schedule.
5. Photos of similar jobs and a short line about your company.
6. A place to sign and accept.

Offering two options gives the client a choice between your prices instead of a choice between you and another contractor.

Tips for a scope that prevents fights

• Write tasks the client can see, such as tile to the ceiling, not just tile work.
• Use allowances for anything the client has not picked yet.
• Always list exclusions. What is not written becomes an argument.
• Never start extra work without a signed change order.

Scope of work FAQ

How detailed should a scope of work be?

Detailed enough that a stranger could tell what is and is not included. For a small repair, five lines may be enough. For a kitchen, list each stage and every allowance.

Who writes the scope of work?

The contractor writes it, based on the site visit and the client's wishes. The client reads it and signs the estimate or contract it belongs to. Walk through it with the client before they sign.

What happens when the scope changes?

Write a change order: what is added or removed, the new price and any change to the schedule. Get it signed before the work starts. Keep the original estimate so you can show what was agreed first. See how to manage contractor estimate revisions.

Should I put prices next to each task?

It depends on the client. Line prices help clients who want to cut items to fit a budget, and they make change orders easy to price. One total price is simpler and stops clients from picking apart each line. Many remodelers show a price per section, such as demolition, tile and plumbing fixtures, as a middle ground.

Build the estimate in minutes

Turn your scope into a clean, professional estimate with the free estimate maker. When the client asks for changes, Vio keeps version 1 and version 2 of the estimate and shows which one was approved. See remodeling contractor software, or book a demo with Ray.