Proposal structure template

Full proposal skeleton

1. EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
A two-paragraph statement of what the buyer will get and what changes for them.

2. SCOPE OF WORK
- Deliverable 1: [verb + object, one sentence]
- Deliverable 2: [verb + object, one sentence]
- Deliverable 3: [verb + object, one sentence]

OUT OF SCOPE
- [explicit exclusion]
- [explicit exclusion]

3. DELIVERABLES
What the buyer receives, in what format, and on what schedule.

4. TIMELINE
- Week 1–2: [milestone]
- Week 3–4: [milestone]
- Week 5: [final delivery and handover]

5. PRICING
Fixed fee: {amount}
Or hourly: {rate} × estimated {hours} hours = {amount}
Payment terms: 50% on acceptance, 50% on final delivery (Net 14)

6. OPTIONAL ADD-ONS
- {add-on}: {price}
- {add-on}: {price}

7. TERMS
- IP ownership: transfers on final payment.
- Change requests: scoped and priced separately.
- Validity: this proposal is valid for 30 days from {issue_date}.

8. ACCEPTANCE
To accept this proposal, reply to this email with "I accept" or sign and return the attached page.

Each section can be a single line or a full page depending on the engagement. The order matters — outcome and scope first, terms and acceptance last.