Show your license, insurance and warranty.
Careful homeowners look up your license before they sign. Put the number in the proposal so they don't have to search. Then say what you'll fix after the job is done.
Your license
Put your license number and type where it's easy to find. The example proposal puts it in the top corner of the cover. It's the first thing they see.
In California that's your CSLB number. Anyone can look it up on the CSLB website. Other states have their own boards. Some have rules about showing the number on bids, so check your state's rules.
Make sure your license covers the whole job. If part of it doesn't, say who is doing that part. Give their license too.
Insurance and bond
If someone gets hurt, the homeowner doesn't want to pay for it. One sentence covers this. From the example proposal:
"Contractor carries commercial general liability insurance and a $15,000 contractor's bond; certificates on request."
If you have employees, say if you carry workers' comp. Offer the certificates. Send them the same day someone asks.
Your warranty
Most proposals are vague here. "All work guaranteed" doesn't tell the homeowner much. They need to know what's covered and for how long.
- All work guaranteed.
Two-year workmanship warranty on all labor and materials we furnish, plus a ten-year structural warranty on foundation and framing. Manufacturer warranties on windows, roofing, appliances and fixtures pass through to you in full.
The right side says how long labor is covered. It says how long the structure is covered. It says what happens with windows and appliances you didn't make. If a window leaks, the homeowner knows who to call.
Where it goes
- License number: on the cover, and again in the footer or on the signing page.
- Insurance and bond: in the terms, near the signing step.
- Warranty: next to the price. The example has a short "Backed by warranty" note beside the total. That's where they decide if the price is worth it.
Will you still be around?
A warranty only helps if you're still in business. So show that you'll be around. Give your office address and how long you've been in business. Give a phone number a person answers.