A signed quote is the start of every job you get paid for. For most residential work you no longer need paper, a printer or a second trip to the house to get it. Customers can review a quote on their phone and sign with a finger. This page covers how that works, what makes an electronic signature hold up, and how to set up your process.

This is general information, not legal advice. Some documents and some states have special rules, so check with an attorney for your situation.

Are electronic signatures legal for contractor quotes?

In the United States, the federal ESIGN Act (2000) and the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act (UETA), adopted by most states, say that a signature or contract cannot be denied legal effect just because it is electronic. For ordinary contractor quotes, estimates and change orders, an electronic signature is generally treated like a handwritten one.

Two things to keep in mind:

A few document types are excluded from these laws or have extra rules, such as certain consumer notices. Some states also have specific rules for home improvement contracts, like cancellation notices. Check yours.
For consumer transactions, ESIGN has consent and disclosure rules for electronic records. Your terms, or a short note on the document, can cover that the customer agrees to sign and receive documents electronically.

What makes an e-signature hold up

The law cares less about how the signature looks and more about showing that this person agreed to this document. Good practice is to keep:

The exact document the customer saw, so it cannot change after signing
Who signed, and how they were reached (the phone number or email you sent it to)
When they signed (date and time)
The signature itself, drawn or typed
A copy the customer can keep, such as a PDF

Signature by link: how it works

You finish the quote on your phone.
You text or email the customer a link.
The customer opens the quote in their phone's browser, with no app or account needed.
They review the line items, options and terms, then sign with a finger.
You get the signed document, and both of you have a copy.

This is faster than printing, it works when the customer is not home, and it gives you a clear record of who signed what and when.

Tips that get quotes signed faster

Send the quote while you are still in the driveway, or the same day.
Keep the scope itemized so the customer is not guessing what they are paying for.
Keep optional add-ons clearly labeled so the customer knows what is included.
State the deposit and the next step: "Once signed, we'll schedule your start date."
Follow up once, politely, if the quote has not been viewed or signed after a few days.

Change orders, too

The same process works for changes during the job. Write the change, price it and send it for signature before you do the extra work. A signed change order is far easier to collect on than a verbal "go ahead."

What an e-signature does not replace

Permits, licenses and insurance requirements
State-required notices (for example, cancellation rights on some home solicitation sales)
Clear terms. A signed vague quote is still vague.

Doing this in QuoteMaven

QuoteMaven is an Android quote and invoice app built by contractors, for contractors. You build the quote on your phone and send a link by text or email, and your customer signs in their browser without installing anything. A signed quote moves to Invoices automatically, so there is nothing to retype. You can download PDFs of quotes and invoices for your records. The free Bronze plan includes 10 quotes a month.

Related guides

Quick answers

Does the customer need an app or account? Not with signature by link. They open the link in their phone's browser.
Is a typed name enough? Under ESIGN and UETA a typed name can count as a signature if the person intended to sign. A drawn signature plus a record of when and how it was sent is easier to show later.
What if the customer has questions before signing? Answer them, update the quote if needed, and send the new version. Only the version they sign counts.
Can I use the same process for change orders and final sign-off? Yes. Any document you want agreed in writing can be sent and signed the same way, as long as you keep the signed copy and the record of when it was signed.
Do I still need a paper copy? Not usually. Keep the signed PDF with your job records and send the customer a copy.

General information, not legal or engineering advice. Follow local code and have your terms reviewed for your state.

Electronic Signatures for Contractors