Eagle InvoiceCarpenters quote template
Carpentry quotes work best split into materials and labour. Timber prices move around, and clients accept a materials figure much more easily when it's its own line rather than buried in a lump sum.
What a carpenter quote should include
- Materials itemised separately from labour, with timber species/grade named
- Whether the price is fixed or hourly — stated in plain words
- Waste removal and site cleanup
- Fixings, hardware and consumables (or an allowance line for them)
- A variation clause: changes to scope are quoted and approved before the work happens
- Finish details — sanded, oiled, painted-ready, or paint included
- Your ABN, GST treatment, and quote validity period
Sample line items
| Line item | Unit | Typical range* |
|---|---|---|
| Labour — qualified carpenter | per hour | $70–$110 |
| Decking — supply + build (treated pine) | per m² | $250–$450 |
| Door supply + hang | per door | $150–$250 |
| Skirting boards — supply + install | per linear metre | $15–$30 |
| Hardwood upgrade (decking) | per m² added | $80–$150 |
*Illustrative ranges only — every market and job is different, so set rates that work for your business. Eagle Invoice lets you save your own line items and reuse them on every quote.
Quoting tips from the field
- Name the timber in the quote. 'Treated pine' and 'spotted gum' are very different numbers, and the client should choose before you order.
- Allow for waste in your materials figure — 10–15% on decking is normal. Better in the quote than absorbed from your margin.
- Write the finish down: 'sanded ready for paint' and 'oiled with two coats of deck oil' are different jobs with different prices.
- Use the variation clause the moment scope changes on site. A two-line variation sent from your phone protects the whole job's profit.
Common questions
Do carpenters charge GST on quotes?
If you're registered for GST, show the ex-GST amount, the 10% GST, and the total separately — clients trust a quote they can follow. Once the job is done, the invoice for anything over $82.50 (incl. GST) must be a proper tax invoice showing your ABN.
Should a carpentry quote be hourly or fixed?
Fixed price for anything with a clear scope — decks, pergolas, fit-offs — because clients approve totals faster. Hourly suits small repair jobs where you can't see the full scope until you start. Either way, write down which one applies.
How do carpenters handle changes mid-job?
With a written variation: what changed, what it costs, sent and approved before the extra work happens. Verbal 'while you're here' extras are where carpentry jobs lose money.