Proposal Templates

1. What are proposal templates?

Proposal templates are pre-designed PDF documents used to present an offer, project, or service in a clear and structured format. They help businesses communicate scope, pricing, and expectations consistently.

2. What are the different types of proposals?

From sales proposals to construction proposals to book proposals, proposals are written for all purposes and industries. Some of the most common types of proposals are grant proposals, research proposals, and business proposals. Business proposals are either solicited or unsolicited. A solicited proposal is one that has been requested by a client or written in response to an RFP (request for proposal). RFPs are sent out by companies and agencies and list specific requirements. Unsolicited proposals initiate the sales process without responding to a request and are generally considered to be more challenging to write.

3. What information is usually included in a proposal template?

Most proposal templates include sections such as an introduction, objectives, scope of work, deliverables, timelines, pricing details, and approval sections. These sections can be customized using the Jotform PDF Editor.

4. How should I write an effective business proposal?

It takes a lot more than a good idea for a proposal to be successful. Check out our tips on how to write a winning proposal.

5. What makes a proposal different from an estimate, quote, bid, or business plan?

Unlike estimates, quotes, and bids, proposals include information beyond the specific cost of a project or service. Proposals provide an in-depth explanation of the work being done, with details about scope, deliverables, milestones, and qualifications as well as budget.

While a business plan and business proposal might sound like the same document, one focuses on a company’s internal operations while the other seeks to create a business relationship with another company. A business plan, usually written with the intent of securing funds from an investor, summarizes a company’s overall goals and objectives. On the other hand, a business proposal focuses on a specific project or service for a prospective client.

6. Can a proposal become a contract?

For a document to be considered a contract, it must consist of an offer, consideration, and acceptance. A proposal can serve as the foundation for a contract, but it will generally only require a client’s signature, whereas a contract needs signatures from all involved parties.

A signed proposal may become a contract only if it contains signatures from each party and contractual language such as terms and conditions. However, it’s best to keep your contract separate from your proposal in case your client disagrees with your offer and requires a new document outlining the negotiated terms. If you need inspiration for your contract, we recommend our free contract PDF templates.

7. Can proposal templates be reused?

Yes. Proposal templates are designed for reuse, allowing businesses to duplicate and update them while maintaining consistent structure and branding.

8. Are proposal templates suitable for remote teams?

Proposal templates work well for remote teams because they can be edited, shared, signed, and stored online, reducing delays and manual coordination.

9. Why use proposal templates instead of creating proposals from scratch?

Using proposal templates saves time, reduces errors, and ensures a professional presentation while streamlining document creation and approval workflows.