Keep the base scope visible
Start with one complete project. Protection, required preparation, proper installation, and cleanup belong in every option. Upgrades should reflect a client preference, such as a different finish or added feature, rather than making essential work conditional on choosing the higher price.
The examples below use fictional selling prices before applicable tax. They illustrate proposal structure, not current local rates. Final selections, measured scope, trade quotes, exclusions, payment terms, and scheduling belong in the actual proposal.
Example 1: A bathroom with three finish packages
Shared scope: a 60-square-foot bathroom with fixture locations retained, demolition and disposal, specified shower waterproofing, plumbing connections, ventilation and electrical scope, vanity installation, painting, and cleanup. Structural repair is outside this illustrative scope.
| Option | What the client gets | Full price before tax |
|---|---|---|
| Good | Standard porcelain tile, stock vanity and top, standard listed fixtures | $18,000 |
| Better | Good scope with upgraded vanity/top and tile selection; base products replaced | $20,500 (+$2,500) |
| Best | Better scope plus specified floor heating and upgraded mirror with electrical work | $23,000 (+$5,000 from Good) |
Proposal wording: Choose one package. Better and Best replace the base vanity and tile; those base products are not charged twice. Floor heating is included only in Best. Final product models and finish selections are attached to your selected package.
Example 2: A kitchen with a clear cabinet upgrade
Shared scope: retained kitchen layout, protection, demolition, listed plumbing and electrical work, backsplash, flooring, owner-supplied appliance installation, paint, and cleanup. Each package includes countertop fabrication and installation for the same measured plan.
| Option | What changes | Full price before tax |
|---|---|---|
| Good | Stock cabinets and specified laminate countertops | $32,000 |
| Better | Replace laminate with specified quartz; cabinet scope stays the same | $36,500 (+$4,500) |
| Best | Better scope with semi-custom cabinets, listed organizers, and under-cabinet lighting | $43,000 (+$11,000 from Good) |
Proposal wording: Appliance supply is excluded from every package. Best includes the listed organizers and lighting work; it does not change the room layout. Cabinet and countertop lead times will be confirmed before the start date is set.
Example 3: A deck priced by material and added scope
Shared scope: a new 12 × 16-foot deck with a defined framing plan, specified foundation, fastening, stair and railing requirements, permit responsibility, and cleanup. Required structural and safety work stays in every package and must be confirmed for the site.
| Option | What changes | Full price before tax |
|---|---|---|
| Good | Specified treated-wood decking and railing | $14,000 |
| Better | Specified composite decking replaces wood; labor and fastening adjusted | $17,500 (+$3,500) |
| Best | Better scope with specified upgraded railing and listed stair lighting | $20,000 (+$6,000 from Good) |
Proposal wording: All packages follow the same approved dimensions and structural plan. Best adds the listed lighting and railing selection. Furniture, landscaping, and unrelated site work are excluded from this example scope.
Price the difference, then check the whole job
For each upgrade, subtract the cost of the replaced item, add the new product and installation costs, then apply your pricing method. A material upgrade may also change prep, handling, tooling, or return visits. Check the margin on the whole package, not just the added dollars.
Show full package prices beside the differences so the client can compare without doing arithmetic. Identify whether options are alternatives or separate add-ons. Finish with one selected package and an attached selection schedule so the approved scope is unambiguous.
GreenlitBid’s proposal options can present these choices to the homeowner. Keep the description concrete: a product, a finish, or a useful feature is easier to evaluate than a package called premium with no explanation.
Put it to work on your next job.
Use the template as a starting point. Replace the prompts with your project details before you send it.
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