The Contractor Workflow: Estimate to Closeout
A construction project moves through the same eight stages whether it's a fence quote or a full remodel. Each stage below links to the guides, templates, and tools that support it — and to whichever real tool already exists for that step, honestly, including the steps where one doesn't exist yet.
Looking for a specific trade? See the Fence and Deck Build workflowsEstimate
What will this job cost?
Scope the work, take off materials, and build a number you can stand behind before it goes in front of a client.
Covers: Estimate, Material Takeoff
6 guides
Proposal
How do I turn this estimate into a signed job?
Write the scope of work and proposal document that gets an estimate approved without giving away margin.
Covers: Proposal
3 guides
Client Approval
How do I get sign-off without back-and-forth?
Send a drawing or document a client can actually approve — fewer revisions, fewer disputes about what was agreed to.
Covers: Client Approval
5 guides
Site Plan
What's actually on this lot, and is it safe to start?
Draw or upload a scaled site plan and clear pre-dig research before crews break ground.
Covers: Photo Upload, Site Plan
7 guides
Construction
How do I keep drawings and scope changes under control while the crew is on site?
Keep job drawings organized and document scope changes the moment they happen, before they erode margin.
Covers: Drawing, Construction, Change Order
6 guides
Daily Reports
How do I document what happened on site today?
Log crew, weather, progress, and issues the same day they happen — the record that holds up if a dispute comes later.
Covers: Daily Report
2 guides
Punch List
What's left before this job is actually done?
Track the remaining items standing between substantial completion and final payment.
Covers: Punch List
1 guide
Closeout
What has to happen to formally close this project out?
Confirm every document, sign-off, and deliverable is accounted for before calling the project finished.
Covers: Project Closeout
1 guide
Not covered yet
Two real moments in a contractor's workflow have no guide, template, or tool on SiteBuildHub today. Named here rather than left unmentioned.
- Customer Calls: The lead-intake moment before an estimate exists. No guide, template, or tool covers call handling, qualification, or turning a call into a scoped estimate request.
- Inspection: Pre-punch-list quality/code inspection, distinct from the punch list itself. No guide or checklist covers what to inspect before generating a punch list.
Start wherever your project is.
Every stage links back here — pick up the workflow at the step you're on right now.