Show what happens, and when.

Most proposals have a payment schedule. It tells the homeowner when to pay. It doesn't say when the crew shows up. It doesn't say how long the job takes.

A payment schedule isn't a timeline

Here's the payment schedule from an example proposal:

Deposit of $1,000 or 10% of the contract price, whichever is less, on signing
Progress billing every two weeks against work completed
Final payment on completion of the punch list

That's clear, and it belongs in the proposal. But it's about money. The homeowner is planning the next six months. When is the driveway blocked? When is the water off? When can someone move in? A timeline answers that.

Start with the steps

First, list what happens in order. The example proposal has five steps:

Site walk and scope. Measuring, photos, and questions that change the price.
Proposal and selections. The proposal, a list of choices to make, and a call to go over both.
Permits and scheduling. "We pull permits, order long-lead materials, and put a start date on the calendar."
Construction. "Daily site supervision, a two-week update cadence, and change orders in writing before the work, never after."
Walkthrough and warranty. "We walk the finished work together, close the punch list, and hand you the warranty and every manual."

Most homeowners have never done this before. Many don't know permits come first. Telling them saves you a lot of "why hasn't anything started?" calls.

Then say what happens after they say yes

The Getting started page of an example proposal: four numbered steps from reviewing the proposal to permit approval and build, then a phone number, email and office address for questions — The last page of an example proposal. Four steps from reading it to the first day of work, and who to call in between.

Look at step four: "Once the city approves the permit, we mobilize and begin construction within 14 business days." It doesn't promise a date. It starts the clock when the permit is approved.

This matters most on an ADU, where the permit can take months. More on ADU proposals.

Give durations, not dates

You don't control the permit office or the weather. So give a length for each step instead. Tie it to the step before. "Framing takes about two weeks after the foundation passes inspection." That's a promise you can keep.

Then say what could slow it down. Permits, inspections, and windows that take weeks to arrive. Changes they ask for after work starts. If one happens, they already heard it from you.

Say how they'll hear about changes

Timelines change. Say how you'll tell them. Maybe it's an update every two weeks. Maybe it's a call when something slips. Pick what you'll keep up. It goes with the one name to call.