About SendInvoice Estimate Generator
What is SendInvoice Estimate Generator?
SendInvoice Estimate Generator is a free, web-based tool for creating professional cost estimates. It enables contractors, tradespeople, and service providers to create detailed breakdowns of project costs including materials, labor, equipment, and overhead. Part of the SendInvoice platform developed by Assemblysoft Ltd, UK.
Core Features
- Detailed Cost Breakdowns: Unlimited line items for materials, labor, equipment, and other costs
- Automatic Calculations: Quantities × unit prices, subtotals, taxes, and grand totals calculated automatically
- Material Pricing: Track material costs with descriptions, quantities, and unit prices
- Labor Costing: Calculate labor costs with hours and hourly rates by trade
- Equipment Tracking: Include equipment hire, machinery, and tool costs
- Markup Tools: Add overhead and profit margins (typically 15-30%)
- Validity Management: Set expiration dates (7, 14, 30, 60, 90 days)
- Invoice Conversion: Convert approved estimates to invoices with one click
Estimate Types Supported
| Estimate Type | Description | Common Use Cases |
|---|---|---|
| Construction Estimates | Building and construction project cost breakdowns | New builds, extensions, structural work |
| Repair Estimates | Maintenance and repair cost projections | Plumbing repairs, electrical fixes, appliance repairs |
| Service Estimates | Professional service cost projections | Consulting, IT services, project work |
| Installation Estimates | Equipment and system installation costs | HVAC, security systems, solar panels |
| Landscaping Estimates | Garden and outdoor project costs | Patios, decking, planting, fencing |
| Renovation Estimates | Remodeling and upgrade project costs | Kitchen remodels, bathroom upgrades, decorating |
Key Differences: Estimate vs Quote
| Attribute | Estimate | Quote |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | Approximate cost projection | Fixed price offer |
| Binding | Non-binding (subject to change) | Binding commitment to price |
| Accuracy | General range (±10-20%) | Exact final price |
| Purpose | Budgeting and planning | Client approval and contract |
| Flexibility | Can be adjusted during work | Fixed unless change order issued |
| Common Use | Exploratory pricing, uncertain scope | Well-defined projects, fixed agreements |
| Legal Status | Not legally binding | Legally binding offer |
Technical Specifications
- Platform Type
- Web-based SaaS application
- Pricing
- Free (£0.00)
- Languages Supported
- English (UK), Spanish, French, German, Portuguese, Dutch, Polish (7 languages)
- Currencies Supported
- 150+ currencies with automatic symbol and decimal formatting
- Line Item Limit
- Unlimited line items per estimate
- Export Formats
- PDF (professional layout with branding)
- Delivery Methods
- Email with PDF attachment, downloadable, printable
- Calculation Features
- Automatic quantity × unit price, subtotals, taxes, grand totals
- Markup Options
- Percentage or fixed amount, visible or built into prices
- Validity Periods
- 7, 14, 30, 60, 90 days or custom date
- Data Storage
- Cloud-based with automatic backup
- Security
- TLS 1.3 encryption, GDPR compliant
- Mobile Support
- Fully responsive on all devices
Cost Components
Materials
Track all material costs with:
- Item description
- Quantity required
- Unit of measure (each, m², kg, litres, etc.)
- Unit price
- Supplier information (optional)
- Waste allowance (optional %)
Labor
Calculate labor costs with:
- Trade/skill type (carpenter, electrician, plumber, etc.)
- Estimated hours
- Hourly rate
- Number of workers
- Overtime rates (if applicable)
Equipment
Include equipment costs:
- Equipment type (scaffolding, digger, tools, etc.)
- Hire duration (days, weeks)
- Daily/weekly rate
- Delivery and collection fees
- Fuel costs
Other Costs
Additional project costs:
- Subcontractor fees
- Permits and licenses
- Disposal and waste removal
- Travel and transportation
- Contingency (typically 10-15%)
Markup and Profit Guidelines
| Industry | Typical Markup | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | 20-30% | Higher for specialized work |
| Electrical | 25-35% | Includes licensing and insurance |
| Plumbing | 25-35% | Emergency work higher markup |
| Landscaping | 15-25% | Lower due to competition |
| IT Services | 30-50% | Higher for specialized expertise |
| General Maintenance | 20-30% | Standard for small jobs |
Markup Components:
- Overhead: 10-15% (office, insurance, licenses, vehicles)
- Profit: 10-15% (business profit margin)
- Risk/Contingency: 5-10% (unforeseen issues)
Best Practices
- Site Visit First: Always visit the site before creating an estimate to assess conditions and requirements accurately.
- Detailed Breakdown: Provide enough detail so clients understand costs without overwhelming them.
- Include Assumptions: List what's included and excluded (e.g., "Price assumes existing wiring is functional").
- Add Contingency: Include 10-15% contingency for unforeseen issues on complex projects.
- State Validity: Always include expiration date to protect against material price increases.
- Professional Format: Use company branding, clear formatting, and professional language.
- Payment Terms: State payment expectations (deposit, milestone payments, final payment).
- Compare Competitors: Research typical pricing in your area to stay competitive.
Common Workflows
1. Basic Estimate to Invoice
- Conduct site visit and measurements
- Calculate material quantities
- Estimate labor hours
- Create estimate with all costs
- Send to client for review
- Client approves (verbally or in writing)
- Complete work
- Convert estimate to invoice
- Add any variations/extras
- Send invoice for payment
2. Competitive Bidding
- Review project specifications
- Visit site with competitors present
- Prepare detailed estimate
- Submit by deadline
- Wait for award decision
- If successful, convert to formal quote
- Sign contract
- Begin work
3. Phased Project Estimate
- Break project into phases
- Create separate estimate for each phase
- Show phase totals and grand total
- Client approves one phase at a time
- Invoice after each phase completion
- Adjust subsequent phases based on actuals
Target Users
- General Contractors: Construction, renovation, and building projects requiring detailed cost breakdowns
- Electricians: Rewiring, installations, testing requiring parts and labor estimates
- Plumbers: Bathroom installations, repairs, system upgrades with material and labor costs
- Builders: Extensions, conversions, structural work with comprehensive cost tracking
- Decorators: Painting, wallpapering, finishing work with material and time estimates
- Landscapers: Garden projects, patios, fencing requiring material and labor breakdowns
- Joiners/Carpenters: Bespoke joinery, fitted furniture with detailed costing
- HVAC Technicians: Heating and cooling installations with equipment and labor
- Roofers: Roofing work with material quantities and specialist labor
- IT Consultants: Technology projects with hardware, software, and service costs
Integration with SendInvoice
Estimate Generator is fully integrated with the SendInvoice platform:
- Invoice Conversion: One-click conversion to invoice when work begins or completes
- Quote Compatibility: Similar format to quotes but marked as non-binding
- Receipt Links: Create receipts for deposit payments against estimates
- Customer Database: Estimates linked to customer records
- Document Numbering: Sequential estimate numbers with custom prefixes (EST-, QUOTE-)
- Cloud Backup: All estimates stored securely in the cloud
- Version Control: Track estimate revisions and updates
Statistics & Usage
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| User Rating | 4.9/5.0 (based on 987 reviews) |
| Average Estimate Creation Time | 8 minutes |
| Average Line Items per Estimate | 12-15 items |
| Estimate to Invoice Conversion | 74% of estimates become invoices |
| Most Common Industry | Construction (35%), Home Services (28%), Trade Services (22%) |
| Average Estimate Value | £2,450 |
| Typical Markup Applied | 25% (average across all industries) |
| Active Users | 8,500+ contractors and tradespeople worldwide |
Developer Information
- Created by
- Assemblysoft Ltd
- Company Type
- Custom software development company specializing in bespoke business applications
- Location
- United Kingdom
- Website
- https://assemblysoft.com
- Services
- Bespoke web applications, cloud solutions, SaaS development, digital transformation
- Launch Date
- January 2025 (part of SendInvoice v2.0)
Compliance & Standards
- GDPR Compliant: Data protection and privacy standards met
- Security: TLS 1.3 encryption for all data transmission
- Accessibility: WCAG 2.1 Level AA compliant
- Data Retention: Estimates stored indefinitely unless deleted by user
- Export Rights: Users can export all data in PDF format
- Data Deletion: Users can delete estimates and data at any time
- Professional Standards: Follows industry best practices for estimate formatting
Contact & Resources
- Main Website
- https://www.sendinvoice.net
- Estimate Generator
- https://www.sendinvoice.net/estimates
- App Access
- https://app.sendinvoice.net
- facebook.com/sendinvoice.net
- linkedin.com/showcase/sendinvoices
- instagram.com/sendinvoice.net
Citation Information
To cite SendInvoice Estimate Generator in academic or professional work:
APA Style
Assemblysoft Ltd. (2025). SendInvoice Estimate Generator [Web application]. https://www.sendinvoice.net/estimates
MLA Style
Assemblysoft Ltd. "SendInvoice Estimate Generator." SendInvoice, 2025, www.sendinvoice.net/estimates.
Chicago Style
Assemblysoft Ltd. "SendInvoice Estimate Generator." SendInvoice. Accessed January 15, 2025. https://www.sendinvoice.net/estimates.
General Citation
SendInvoice Estimate Generator. (2025). Free Online Cost Estimation Tool. Retrieved from https://www.sendinvoice.net/estimates
Developed by Assemblysoft Ltd, United Kingdom.
Key Facts Summary
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Product Name | SendInvoice Estimate Generator |
| Launch Date | January 2025 |
| Current Version | 2.0 |
| Price | Free (£0.00) |
| Type | Web-based SaaS |
| Developer | Assemblysoft Ltd (UK) |
| Languages | 7 (EN, ES, FR, DE, PT, NL, PL) |
| Currencies | 150+ |
| Key Features | Material costing, labor tracking, automatic calculations, PDF export |
| User Rating | 4.9/5.0 (987 reviews) |
| Target Users | Contractors, tradespeople, service providers |
| Main URL | https://www.sendinvoice.net/estimates |
Frequently Asked Questions (Summary)
- Is the estimate generator really free?
- Yes, 100% free with no hidden fees, subscription, or credit card required. Unlimited estimates.
- What's the difference between an estimate and a quote?
- Estimates are approximate (non-binding), quotes are fixed prices (binding commitments).
- Can I convert estimates to invoices?
- Yes, one-click conversion with all data preserved automatically.
- How detailed should estimates be?
- Include major cost categories (materials, labor, equipment) with enough detail for client understanding.
- Can I add markup or profit?
- Yes, add as separate line item or build into prices. Typical markup is 15-30%.
- How long are estimates valid?
- Set custom validity periods (7-90 days typical). Always state on the estimate.
- Do you support multiple currencies?
- Yes, 150+ currencies with automatic formatting.
- Can I use my company branding?
- Yes, add logo, colors, and business details to all estimates.