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What is a renovation proposal?
A commercial proposal is a document you send to a prospective client after an initial conversation, site measurement, or service inquiry. Its job is to explain why your service is the right choice, rather than merely list prices.
A proposal is different from an estimate (article in Russian). An estimate lists work items by stage and calculates quantities, timing, and costs in detail. A proposal outlines the approximate project cost and shows which types of work you can take on.
A useful proposal helps a client see:
- exactly what you offer;
- why they might choose your team;
- what benefits they will receive;
- how quickly and conveniently work can begin.
How to write a renovation proposal
Review your proposal against the criteria below. A low headline price alone rarely gives a client enough reason to choose a contractor.
Make the document understandable. Explain figures in plain language. A prospective client should be able to read the layout, tables, and short notes without knowing construction terminology.
Give it a clear structure. Sections, headings, subheadings, and tables should be easy to scan. At the first meeting with your company, a client is unlikely to study every number.
Use your brand with restraint. Your name, logo, brand colors, and a QR code for a channel or direct contact can make the document recognizable without overwhelming the offer.
Make it persuasive. The client and designer need the calculation, so a long advertisement will distract them. A bare spreadsheet may also fail to explain your approach. Keep the cost visible and add the context that helps the client decide.
Above all, offer a concrete answer to the client's problem. They asked for a calculation: give them one, explain how you work, and show the next step.
What to include to improve conversion
Several details can turn a price calculation into a useful proposal.
Company overview. Add two or three sentences about your experience, specialization, and strengths. Describe in your own words why clients choose you rather than relying on a generic sales slogan.
Photos and examples. Show a few before-and-after photos, interiors, and client reviews.
Transparent pricing. Give the total with an explanation of what it includes, or split it into stages and explain when the price might change.
Schedule and work stages. Set out preparation, rough work, and finishing with dates. A compact table can make the sequence easy to follow.
Warranties and terms. State the warranty period, what it covers, and how defects will be resolved.
Bonuses and special offers. An appropriate small benefit may help clients remember you, such as a complimentary designer visit or a material discount if they contact you before the end of the year. State the exact terms in the offer.
Call to action. Invite the client to call or write to reserve an August slot, as an illustrative example, or to agree on a convenient start date. You can also offer the designer an extra tour of your projects, a prompt start, or a meeting to discuss the details.
Visualization. If a design and rendering already exist, include them with a caption such as “This is what your apartment could look like” so the client can picture the result.
Where and how to create a proposal
The editor matters less than the finished document. Choose a format that is easy to read and download, and a tool that lets you update reusable templates.
A polished template may be more useful than an ordinary Word or Excel file. Figma can help a designer build a cover page, company section, photo areas, a work-stage table, and space for calculations and comments. It works for a presentation or a vertically laid out document.
Canva is simpler to learn independently and offers many templates you can adapt. Google Slides feels closer to a familiar document editor; it may be less flexible for custom design, but it can produce a clear reusable template.
Show your completed projects, explain the details of your work honestly, share balance reports from finished projects, and provide satisfied clients' contacts only with their permission.
Consistent reporting in the 101 App can support the same sense of trust. Clients who use the app can follow work remotely, check the project balance, and see where money goes without repeatedly visiting the site or interrupting the team.
If you want to use the app in your business and learn to create estimates, reports, and other documents, request a free consultation with a 101 App specialist. You can ask questions and see how its features fit your work.
