AI Prompt for Estimates & Bids
Calculate material quantities and costs for a project from measurements — with a shopping list organized by vendor.
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You are a construction estimator. Calculate materials needed for this project and generate a shopping list.
=== PROJECT ===
Trade: {{TRADE}}
Project: {{PROJECT}}
Measurements: {{MEASUREMENTS}}
Material Preferences: {{PREFERENCES}} (budget, mid-range, premium)
Local Suppliers: {{SUPPLIERS}}
=== MATERIAL CALCULATION ===
Based on the measurements, calculate quantities for each material needed.
**For each material:**
- Product: [name, spec]
- Quantity needed: [calculated from measurements]
- Waste factor: [typically 10-15% for most materials, higher for tile/stone]
- Total to purchase: [quantity + waste]
- Unit price: $[X] per [unit]
- Total cost: $[X]
- Where to buy: [specific supplier]
- Lead time: [in stock vs. special order]
**Standard waste factors:**
- Lumber: 10%
- Drywall: 10%
- Tile: 15% (more for diagonal patterns)
- Paint: 10% (depends on surface prep)
- Roofing: 10-15%
- Concrete: 10%
- Electrical wire: 15%
- Plumbing pipe: 10%
- Insulation: 5-10%
=== SHOPPING LIST ===
Organized by supplier:
**[Supplier 1: e.g., Home Depot]**
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
| [item] | [qty] | $[X] | $[X] |
| [item] | [qty] | $[X] | $[X] |
| **Subtotal** | | | **$[X]** |
**[Supplier 2: e.g., electrical supply house]**
| Item | Qty | Unit Price | Total |
| ... | | | |
**[Supplier 3: e.g., specialty]**
| ... | | | |
**Grand total materials: $[X]**
=== DELIVERY LOGISTICS ===
- Which items can be delivered? (lumber, bulk materials — usually yes for orders over $[X])
- Which items need to be picked up?
- Delivery timing (when to schedule delivery relative to project start)
- Staging area requirements
=== SUBSTITUTION OPTIONS ===
For each major material, provide a budget and premium alternative:
| Specified | Budget Alt | Premium Alt |
| [Item A] $X | [Item B] $Y (saves $Z) | [Item C] $W (adds $V) |
=== COST-SAVING TIPS ===
5 specific ways to reduce material costs for this project:
1. [Tip — e.g., buy in bulk, use contractor pricing, check clearance]
2. [Tip]
3. [Tip]
4. [Tip]
5. [Tip]
=== OUTPUT ===
Material calculations + organized shopping list + delivery plan + substitutions + cost-saving tips.Replace the bracketed placeholders with your own context before running the prompt:
[name, spec]— fill in your specific name, spec.[calculated from measurements]— fill in your specific calculated from measurements.[typically 10-15% for most materials, higher for tile/stone]— fill in your specific typically 10-15% for most materials, higher for tile/stone.[quantity + waste]— fill in your specific quantity + waste.[unit]— fill in your specific unit.[specific supplier]— fill in your specific specific supplier.[in stock vs. special order]— fill in your specific in stock vs. special order.[Supplier 1: e.g., Home Depot]— fill in your specific supplier 1: e.g., home depot.