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Scope of work template: fill in, print or save as a PDF

The short answer

A scope of work spells out exactly what you’ll do, what you won’t, when and for how much. Fill in the goal, what’s included and excluded, how you’ll know it’s done, the stages with prices and who provides what. Print it or save the PDF, and get it signed before you start. The exclusions matter most, because they head off the arguments.

For any job that could grow as it goes. Writing it down first is how you get paid for the extras.

Fill in your scope of work

Stages and prices
Check your state’s rules for labor and materials.
One or two sentences on the result the customer wants.
List the work, the materials you’ll supply and where it happens.
This line prevents more arguments than any other.
What the customer checks before signing off.
Access, decisions, approvals, permits.

Nothing is saved: print it or save the PDF before you close this page.

Your business name

Scope of work

Document #1001
Starts on: —

For

Customer name

Line items
DescriptionQtyPriceAmount
Stage 11$0.00$0.00
Stage 21$0.00$0.00
Subtotal$0.00
Sales tax (0% on $0.00)$0.00
Total$0.00

Anything outside this scope is quoted and approved in writing before we do it. Payment is due as each stage above is finished.

Customer approval: ______________________   Date: __________

How it works

What makes a good scope of work

  • Specific work: “Replace 12 ft of fence along the east line”, not “fence repairs”.
  • Clear exclusions: say what you’re not doing, such as permits, disposal or painting.
  • Something you can check: how you and the customer will know it’s finished.
  • Stages tied to payment: so money and work move together.

Scope of work, estimate or contract?

An estimate gives the price. A scope of work explains what that price buys. Many jobs put them together, and a service agreement covers repeat visits. When the work changes, use a change order.

This is a starting point and isn’t legal advice. For large jobs, or where your state requires specific contract terms, ask an attorney.

Common questions

What should a scope of work include?
The goal, the work included and excluded, how you’ll know it’s done, stages, dates, prices and what the customer provides.
What’s the difference between a scope of work and a contract?
A scope of work describes the job. A contract is the whole agreement, including legal terms. A scope is often attached to a contract, and when signed it can be part of it.
How detailed should it be?
Enough that someone who wasn’t in the room could tell whether the job is done. Add detail wherever you’ve had a disagreement before.
What if the customer asks for more?
Write up a change order with the new work and price, and get it signed before you start that work.
Is this template free?
Yes. No sign-up and no watermark. It runs in your browser, so nothing you type is stored or sent to us. Print it or save it as a PDF before you close the page.

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