Free freelance proposal template

A client reading your proposal wants to know four things: whether you understood the problem, what exactly they get, when, and for how much. The template answers them in that order. The example is a fixed-scope website project, and the same structure holds up for design, writing, development and consulting.

What each section does

• Overview: one short paragraph that restates the client's goal in their own words, which proves you listened on the call.
• Scope of work: concrete deliverables with limits, such as the number of pages or revision rounds. Scope creep usually starts with a vague line here.
• Timeline: an estimated duration from kickoff and what it depends on, usually how fast the client sends content and feedback.
• Investment: a pricing table with one line per phase or deliverable, so the client can see what each part costs.
• Terms: deposit, payment schedule, what happens with extra work and when invoices are due.

Copy the template

[Your name or business name]
Proposal for [Client name], [Client company]
Date: [Date]

OVERVIEW
Thanks for the opportunity to work together. Based on our conversation, this proposal covers [short description of the project] so that [the client's goal, in their words].

SCOPE OF WORK
- [Discovery call and plan, e.g. sitemap or outline]
- [Main deliverable, with a limit, e.g. design for up to 5 pages, two rounds of revisions]
- [Build or production step, e.g. responsive build on your preferred platform]
- [Supporting work, e.g. basic on-page SEO and analytics setup]
- [Handover, e.g. launch support and a 30-minute training session]

TIMELINE
Approximately [X to Y] weeks from kickoff, depending on how quickly content and feedback are provided.

INVESTMENT
[Phase 1, e.g. Discovery and sitemap] ........ [Price]
[Phase 2, e.g. Design] ........................ [Price]
[Phase 3, e.g. Development and launch] ........ [Price]
Total ......................................... [Total price]

TERMS
[50]% deposit is due to begin work; the remaining [50]% is due at [launch or delivery]. Additional pages or features outside this scope are billed separately. Invoices are due within [number] days.

NEXT STEP
To accept, reply to this email or accept the proposal online by [Expiry date].

[Your name]
[Email] | [Phone] | [Website]

How to fill it in

1. Write the overview last. By then the scope is settled and one or two sentences will do.
2. Make every scope item something the client can check off. "Website design" is vague; "design for up to 5 pages, two rounds of revisions" is not.
3. Give the timeline as a range and say what it depends on.
4. Split the price into phases. A client can question one line item without rejecting the whole number.
5. Keep the terms short. Deposit, final payment, extra work and due dates cover most projects.

Pricing, terms and when to follow up are covered step by step in how to write a freelance proposal.

Use it as a starter template in SoloWOS

SoloWOS Proposals has this structure built in as the "Website project" starter template, with a pricing table that adds up the line items for you. For ongoing work there's a "Monthly retainer" starter. You share the proposal as a link, see when it's opened, and the client accepts online. From an accepted proposal you can create a signature request or an invoice with the line items filled in. Learn more about proposal software clients accept online.

This template is a starting point, not legal advice. For large projects or unusual terms, have a lawyer review your contract.