The problem
A bid that says "$4,200 — HVAC installation" and nothing else invites exactly one response: "Why so much?" When clients can't see what makes up the number, they negotiate on feeling, not facts.
The contractors who close the most jobs aren't always the cheapest. They're the ones whose numbers make sense.
Why we built it
An itemized bid is a trust document. When clients can see labor, materials, and any fees broken out, the price feels earned. We made it fast enough that there's no reason to send a one-liner instead.
How it works
- 1
From a bid or from a new quote, add line items: labor hours, materials, any fees or subs.
- 2
DIRT calculates the total and shows a clean breakdown — same format the client will see.
- 3
Send or share. Client sees the full breakdown in their browser, no login needed.
What changes for your business
Before
One-line quote. Client asks questions. Negotiation starts from zero.
After
Itemized bid. Client sees what they're buying. Less negotiation, faster close.
Common questions
What is the best app for contractor estimating?
The best estimating app is the one you'll actually use from the job site, not just from the desk. DIRT lets you build an itemized bid on your phone — labor, materials, fees — while you're still on the property, and send it to the client before you leave the driveway.
What should a contractor estimate include?
Labor hours and rate, materials with quantities and costs, any subcontractor or equipment fees, and a clear total. Clients who can see the breakdown understand the price. The total feels earned when they can see what's in it — and that means less negotiation.
Why do clients trust itemized bids more than single-number quotes?
A single number invites the question "why so much?" Itemized bids answer it before it gets asked. When clients see labor hours, materials, and fees laid out clearly, the total makes sense. That's why contractors who send detailed quotes close more jobs than those who send one-liners.
Is there a free app for contractor estimates?
DIRT's base tier is free and includes full bid creation, line items, and the ability to send estimates by text, email, or shareable link. Paid tiers add features like CRM, the phone line, and SMS tools — but estimates, bids, and basic job tracking work on the free plan.
How fast can I get an estimate to a client after a site walkthrough?
In DIRT, you can build a bid while you're on the property and send it before you pull out of the driveway. The client gets a formatted quote with your name and logo within minutes of you finishing the walkthrough. A bid sent same day closes at a higher rate than one sent two days later.
How does sending a bid faster help win more jobs?
A contractor who sends a quote within an hour of the walkthrough catches the client while they're still thinking about the project. By the time the next contractor sends their bid two days later, the client may have already signed with someone else. Speed matters more than a slightly better price on most residential work.
Can I build a contractor estimate on my phone without a laptop?
Yes. DIRT is a mobile-first iPhone app. Everything from creating the bid to sending it to the client works from your phone on the job site. No laptop, no desk, no drafting table required.
Can clients approve a bid directly from their phone?
Yes. DIRT generates a mobile-friendly bid page the client opens in any browser with one tap. No PDF to open, no app to download. They see the full itemized quote and can respond directly from the page — on whatever phone they have.
Start free
Try it free.
Every DIRT plan includes this feature — Solo included. No credit card, no trial that expires. Set up in minutes and use it on your next job from the truck.