Quote the actual scope
List cabinet dimensions, timber or board type, finish, hardware and installation separately so the client can see what the price covers.
Carpentry estimating and invoicing software
A client asks for built-in cabinets. Before you give a price, you need the measurements, board and hardware choices, finish, and whether delivery and fitting are included. Pocket Invoice lets you put those details in an estimate, turn approved work into an invoice, and keep track of payments and project expenses.
Keep the job details with the paperwork
Custom carpentry rarely follows a single price list. The work changes as measurements, materials and fittings are agreed with the client.
Record what you spend
Save the cost of boards, hinges, drawer runners and outsourced cutting against the project. Check actual spending before you price a similar job.
Follow the payments
Invoice the agreed work, record each payment and see the amount still due when the job is handed over.
Measure on site, price the work back at the shop
Keep the client's measurements, photos and material choices with the project. Once you have checked supplier prices, add fabrication, delivery and fitting to the estimate. The saved project details are there when you return to the property.
A carpentry estimate that shows exactly what the price includes
Use Pocket Invoice to describe cabinet dimensions, board grades, finishes and hardware, then itemize fabrication, delivery and fitting. Quantities, rates and amounts sit together in a PDF your customer can review before you start cutting.
Add notes about old cabinet removal, electrical cut-outs and site conditions. If the customer changes a finish or size, update the relevant items and send the revised PDF without rebuilding a spreadsheet.
Create a carpentry estimate →Common questions before a carpentry job starts
The client changed the doors and drawer runners. What happens to the estimate?
Compare the new specification with the agreed one. Show the replacement materials, quantities, price difference and any work already started. Send an updated estimate and get approval before cutting more material.
How much did that cabinet really cost to make?
Board cost is only part of it. Edging, hinges, runners, finishing supplies, outside cutting and delivery add up. Record purchases as they happen, then compare them with what you allowed in the estimate.
Give the customer a quote they can check
A useful estimate answers four questions before work starts.
How much and how many?
Finished dimensions, number of cabinets or doors, and the measurement basis.
Which materials?
Timber species or board grade, thickness, surface finish and hardware.
Which work is included?
Workshop fabrication, delivery, removal of old fittings and installation.
What if the brief changes?
State how a change in dimensions, material or site conditions affects the price.
Why choose Pocket Invoice for your carpentry business?
Give the client a professional quote and keep the job's paperwork organized through fabrication, fitting and payment.
Quotes with the details that matter
Itemize boards, hardware, finish and installation, add your business logo and send a PDF the client can review before production starts.
Less typing when the job is approved
Turn the accepted estimate into an invoice in the Web app. Update agreed changes without entering the customer and original items again.
Costs stay with the cabinet or installation job
Record board purchases, outside cutting and fittings as project expenses. Keep site photos and documents available, and record each client payment.
What do carpenters earn in the United States?
The US Bureau of Labor Statistics reports a median annual wage of $60,580 for employed carpenters in May 2025. That figure describes wages for employees; it is not a price guide for a self-employed carpenter or a custom cabinet shop.
When you price your own work, the customer's payment still has to cover timber, hardware, transport, tools, insurance and other business costs. The IRS explains business net profit as income minus business expenses. Use your own records and working time to judge what a job needs to earn.
Start with material quantities and estimated fabrication and fitting time. The contractor markup calculator can help compare cost with selling price.
Sources: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Carpenters; IRS, Self-Employed Individuals Tax Center.
Tools for pricing carpentry work
Check materials and time, then put the agreed scope in writing.
Contractor markup calculator
Compare costs, markup and the price you plan to charge.
Calculate markup →Timesheet calculator
Add up workshop and installation hours.
Calculate hours →Estimate generator
List dimensions, materials, fittings and installation.
Create an estimate →Invoice generator
Show the customer what is due for the completed work.
Create an invoice →Carpentry estimating questions
How does carpentry quoting software help with custom cabinets?
Use Pocket Invoice to set out dimensions, boards, hardware, finish, fabrication, delivery and fitting in an estimate. Keep measurements, site photos and supplier expenses with the project. Once the customer approves, convert the estimate to an invoice in the Web app, review any specification changes and record the deposit or final payment.
Can I quote before the timber price is confirmed?
State the assumed specification and how long the price is valid. Mark undecided timber, hardware or finishes clearly, then revise the estimate when supplier prices are known.
Should I charge by the piece or by the hour?
Custom cabinets are often priced by finished scope, while repairs and on-site adjustments may be charged by time. In either case, show the quantity or time basis and say whether materials and travel are separate.
What if the client changes the dimensions?
Check whether material has been cut or fabrication has begun. Show the extra material, labour and time involved, then send an updated estimate for approval.
How do I record a deposit and final payment?
Invoice according to the agreed schedule. Record each payment against the invoice so you can see the remaining balance at handover.
Related trades
Explore quoting and invoicing for other work you may take on during a renovation.
Start the next carpentry job with a clear estimate
Agree on dimensions, materials and fitting before work starts, then keep costs and payments with the job.