How it works

One file per job

The templates are plain Excel workbooks. Everything runs off the cells you type in, so there's nothing to install and nothing to log in to.

From first measure to final margin

  1. Set up once

    Put your business name, ABN, GST rate, labour rate and bank details in the yellow cells. They carry over every time you save a copy for a new job.

  2. Price the job

    In the Starter Kit, enter each item at your cost in the Calculator. Your markup or margin turns it into a sell price, and the Quote fills itself with section subtotals and optional extras. With the free template you type the quote lines directly.

  3. Invoice it

    The invoice reads the quote, so nothing is retyped. Claim a deposit or a percentage of the job, and add any accepted extras as variations.

  4. Cost the job

    Enter your estimated hours and materials, then your actual costs. You see the margin in dollars and percent, and a flag if it landed under your target.

The colour code

  • Blue text is a cell you type in.
  • Black text works itself out, so leave it alone.
  • Yellow cells are your settings. Set them once and reuse them.
Common questions

Good to know

What file format is it?

A standard Excel workbook (.xlsx). It's built and tested in Excel. Google Sheets and Apple Numbers users can try it, but some formatting may look different, so Excel is the safe choice.

Is GST already worked out?

Yes. You set your GST rate once and the quote and invoice calculate it from there. The templates are a calculation aid, so check the GST rules for your own business.

Can I use it for more than one job?

Yes. Save a copy of the file for each job and keep it as your record, or clear the sample lines and reuse the same file.

What if I'm not confident with spreadsheets?

If you can type in a box, you can use it. Each workbook opens on a Read Me tab that explains the colour code and walks you through starting a new job.

Is this accounting software?

No. It's a set of templates for quoting, invoicing and checking job margins. It doesn't replace your accountant or your accounting software.

Can I use it on my phone?

You can open it in the Excel app, but it's much easier to fill in on a laptop or tablet.

Try the quote layout first. The free template has the same layout as the Starter Kit quote, ready to fill in.

Get the free template