How to use the consulting proposal template
- Enter a title, the date, an optional valid-until date, and who the proposal is for and from.
- Write the background, the objectives (one per line) and your approach.
- List the deliverables with a fee for each. Add a deposit percent if you want one shown, and any timeline phases.
- Add payment terms and assumptions if you want them, choose whether to include an acceptance and signature line, then press Download PDF, Print or Copy summary.
A process review
A consultant proposes an operations review for a supplier whose order process has delays. The deliverables are a discovery workshop at $1,500 and a process review at $3,500, so the total fee is $5,000.00.
With a 50% deposit, the proposal says the deposit due on acceptance is $2,500.00 and the balance is $2,500.00. A timeline lists the workshop in week 1 and the review in weeks 2 to 4. A deposit of 33.333% would be $1,666.65, because the percent is multiplied by the total and rounded half up to the cent.
What a proposal does
A proposal answers four questions for the person deciding: what problem are we solving, how will you solve it, what will I get, and what will it cost. It works best when it is short and specific. Lead with the client's situation in their own terms, state the objectives you will both measure, and name the deliverables so nobody guesses what is included.
Listing each deliverable with its own fee makes the total easy to understand and lets the client adjust the scope. State assumptions plainly, such as access to people or records, so that a delay on the client's side does not become your problem. To work out the price, try the project quote calculator and the freelance rate calculator.
Totals, deposit and what is not covered
The total is the sum of the fees you enter, added in whole cents. The deposit is the total times your percent, rounded half up to the cent, and the balance is the rest. You choose the percent, and 50% is only an example. Taxes are not added, so include any you charge in a fee or say so in the terms.
The proposal is not a contract. After the client accepts, put the terms in writing with the service agreement template. For work that continues month after month, the retainer fee calculator helps set a price. The tool gives no legal advice, so have important documents reviewed.
Privacy
The proposal is built in your browser and nothing is uploaded. Remembering your entries is optional and keeps them in this browser only.
Assumptions and limits
- Fees are in US dollars and added exactly in whole cents. No tax is added.
- The deposit is optional and is the percent you enter of the total fee.
- The text sections are printed as you write them, with blank lines separating paragraphs.
- The sample client, project and amounts are examples to replace.
Frequently asked questions
How long should a consulting proposal be?
As long as it needs to be to answer the client's questions and no longer. Many good proposals fit on two or three pages: the problem, the plan, the deliverables with fees, the timing and a way to accept.
Should I show the price for each deliverable?
Often yes, because it makes the total transparent and lets the client choose. If you prefer a single price, use one deliverable that describes the whole package.
What is a deposit for?
It commits both sides and covers early costs. The percent is your choice, and the proposal shows the deposit and the balance as dollar amounts.
How is the valid-until date used?
It states how long the prices and timing stay open. After that date you can change them. Leave it empty if you do not want a limit.