For general contractors
Contractor estimates that close, not collect dust
Send a professional, itemized estimate from the job site. Homeowner approves, signs, and pays the deposit from their couch — before they call another GC.
No credit card required.
What slows general contractors down today
You spend two hours writing a detailed scope and the customer wants a 10% discount because they got a cheaper quote with half the detail.
Change orders happen on every job. Verbal agreements turn into payment disputes at the end.
Chasing a deposit check delays your material order and pushes your start date.
Managing 10+ open estimates across different trades and customers is a full-time job in itself.
A typical general contracting estimate
Drop these line items straight into a new estimate. Adjust quantities and prices for the specific job.
| Line item | When to use it |
|---|---|
| Project management / general conditions | Supervision, coordination, site safety, portable facilities. |
| Demo and haul-away | Per room or per cubic yard; includes dumpster if needed. |
| Framing labor (per sq ft or per hour) | New walls, headers, structural modifications. |
| Drywall — supply and install (per sq ft) | Includes tape, mud, and primer coat. |
| Flooring — LVP install (per sq ft) | Labor only; material quoted separately per selection. |
| Electrical — rough and finish (allowance) | Subcontractor pass-through at cost + 15%. |
| Plumbing — rough and finish (allowance) | Subcontractor pass-through at cost + 15%. |
| Paint — walls, trim, ceilings | 2-coat finish; customer color selection. |
| Contingency (10%) | Covers unforeseen conditions; unused portion credited at close. |
“I run 6-8 jobs at a time. Riveta lets me track every estimate, every approval, and every deposit in one place without a spreadsheet.”
Frequently asked questions
Can I manage multiple jobs and estimates at once?
Yes. Your dashboard shows all estimates with status, total, and customer — filtered by draft, sent, approved, and declined.
How do I handle subcontractor allowances?
Add them as line items with your markup. The customer sees the total; you control the detail.
What about change orders?
Create a change order linked to the original estimate. Same link-based approval flow — customer signs separately for each scope change.
Can I add my logo and business info?
Yes — set your logo, business name, phone, and default terms in Settings. They appear on every estimate automatically.
Other trades we serve
Send a general contracting estimate today.
Spin up a free account in under a minute. Send a public approval link by email or text — your customer signs and pays a deposit right from their phone.