A good pest control estimate tells the customer what you found, what you recommend, what each part costs, what the first visit costs versus each recurring visit, and how long the price is good for. It ends with the terms and a place to sign. This free template has all of that, ready to fill in.
- Printable estimate form (US Letter; open it, print, or choose "Save as PDF")
- Download the line items CSV (Item, Description, Quantity, Unit price, Total, with example rows to delete)
What should a pest control estimate include?
Use this as a checklist before you send any estimate.
- Your company name, phone, email and license number
- Customer name, service address and estimate date
- Inspection findings: what you saw and where
- Recommended treatment, in plain words
- Line items with quantity, unit price and total
- Initial price and recurring price, shown separately
- Visit frequency for recurring service
- Expiry date ("This estimate is valid until ___")
- Short terms: payment, re-service, cancellation
- Signature and date line for the customer
If something is not on the estimate, assume the customer will think it is included.
How do I write up inspection findings?
Findings are what justify the price. Keep them short and specific, and write them so the customer recognises their own house.
Example findings:
Ant trails along the kitchen baseboard and at the back door threshold. Gaps around the hose bib and dryer vent on the north wall. Mulch piled against the foundation along the front beds. Rodent droppings in the garage, near the water heater.
Then a one-paragraph recommendation that connects each finding to a treatment: "Exterior perimeter treatment and interior crack and crevice for ants. Exclusion of the two wall gaps. Four exterior rodent stations, serviced each visit." Photos help if you have them.
What line items should a pest control estimate have?
One line per thing the customer is buying, described in their terms. The prices below are example prices for illustration only, not market rates or recommendations. Your prices depend on your costs, area and market.
| Item | Description | Qty | Unit price (example) | Total (example) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Initial general pest service | Interior and exterior treatment, web removal | 1 | $199.00 | $199.00 |
| Rodent station install | Exterior tamper-resistant stations | 4 | $25.00 | $100.00 |
| Exclusion | Seal gaps at hose bib and dryer vent | 2 | $40.00 | $80.00 |
| Initial total (example) | $379.00 | |||
| Quarterly service | Exterior perimeter, eaves, station service, interior on request | 1 per quarter | $129.00 | $129.00 per visit |
To work out your own numbers, see how to price pest control services.
Why show the initial and recurring price separately?
Because they are different purchases. The initial service is usually heavier work. The recurring price is what the customer will pay every visit for as long as they stay.
If you only show one number, the customer either thinks every visit costs the initial price (and says no) or thinks every visit costs the recurring price (and is surprised by the first bill). Show both, plus the frequency.
What terms should go on an estimate?
Keep them short. The full detail belongs in your service agreement template; the estimate just needs the parts that affect the decision.
- Expiry. "Prices valid for 30 days from the estimate date." Pick a period that suits you, and stick to it.
- Payment. When payment is due and how the customer can pay.
- Re-service. Whether covered pests are re-treated free between visits, and that the account must be current.
- Cancellation. The notice period for recurring service.
- Exclusions. Pests not included, such as termites or bed bugs, unless listed.
The terms should match what goes on the invoice later. See the invoice template for that side. Once the work is done, the chemical application record template covers the record for each treatment.
How should I follow up on an estimate?
An estimate with no follow-up is easy for a busy homeowner to forget. A simple schedule:
- Same day. Send the estimate while you are still in the driveway, or that evening at the latest.
- Two to three days later. A short check-in: "Any questions about the estimate for 123 Example St?"
- A few days before it expires. Remind them of the expiry date. This is a real reason to call, not a sales trick, because the date is on the estimate.
- After it expires. One last note offering to re-quote. Then stop.
Write down why lost estimates were lost (price, timing, chose someone else). After a season you will see a pattern worth acting on.
Can customers sign the estimate on their phone?
With the printable template, the customer signs on paper or you collect a signature however you normally do.
PestShift has estimates with e-signature: you send the customer a link, they open it on their phone and sign with a finger. Once they accept, you can schedule the work and set up a recurring service plan (monthly, every other month, quarterly or seasonal). Invoices with card payment links through Stripe come later from the same customer record. The technician app works offline after it installs to the home screen, and if you are moving off another tool, switching includes a free customer import.
Want to send your next estimate for e-signature? Try PestShift free for 14 days.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a pest control estimate and a quote?
Many companies use the words interchangeably. Whatever you call it, put an expiry date on it and say whether the price is fixed or depends on what the technician finds.
How long should a pest control estimate be valid?
Thirty days is a simple, common-sense choice for residential work. Shorter periods add urgency, longer ones risk your costs changing before the customer accepts.
Should I charge for an inspection or estimate?
That is a business decision. You can offer free residential estimates and charge for specialised inspections, or charge for both; either works if it is stated up front.
Do I need the customer's signature on an estimate?
A signature makes it clear the customer accepted the scope and price. It is the simplest way to avoid disputes about what was agreed.
Should the estimate include my license number?
Including your license number costs nothing and shows the customer you are licensed. Check your state's rules on what must appear on customer documents.
Can I use the CSV with my accounting software?
The CSV is a plain line-item list, so you can open it in Excel, Google Sheets or Numbers and copy the lines into whatever you use.