Can a proposal be electronically signed?

Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA statutes. Ensure the signatory demonstrates intent, consent, attribution and retention to meet legal validity tests.

When is notarization required?

Notarization is typically required for documents that transfer or affect title or for self-proving affidavits; local requirements vary. Deeds and certain affidavits commonly require a notary and, in some states, witnesses.

Is remote online notarization acceptable?

Many states permit RON with identity proofing and recording requirements. Confirm the target jurisdiction’s RON rules and ensure audio-video recording and retention requirements are met.

How do I correct an error after signing?

Avoid editing a signed PDF. Prepare a corrected amendment or addendum executed by all parties; retain prior versions and their audit trails to preserve the transaction history.

Who can sign on behalf of an entity?

An authorized officer or someone with express written authority may sign. Verify corporate resolution, power of attorney, or delegation documents before accepting signatures.

What file formats preserve signatures and audit trails?

Signed PDFs with an embedded audit certificate preserve signature metadata and timestamps. Retain both the signed document and the platform’s audit report for evidentiary purposes.

Electronic Signature
Templates
Miscellaneous
Commercial Building Proposal

Commercial Building Proposal

This template is fully customizable. Edit the text, fill out the fields, and send it for signature. Give it a try!

Commercial Building Proposal

Proposal Date: Proposal No.:

RECITALS

WHEREAS, Client Name: is the owner or authorized representative of the property located at Address: (the "Property"); and

WHEREAS, Contractor Name: is experienced in commercial building, construction management and related services and is willing to provide the services described herein under the terms set forth in this Proposal; and

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants contained herein, Client and Contractor agree as follows:

SCOPE OF WORK

Detailed Scope of Work Key Deliverables / Milestones

PAYMENT TERMS

Total Contract Price Deposit / Initial Payment Payment Schedule (percentages, milestones, or dates) Late Payment Fee

All payments shall be made to Contractor Name: at Address: unless otherwise agreed in writing. Invoice terms are net days from invoice date.

TERM AND TERMINATION

Commencement Date: ; Estimated Completion Date: .

Either party may terminate this Proposal for material breach if the breaching party fails to cure the breach within days after receipt of written notice. Termination by Client for convenience shall require written notice and payment for all work performed and reasonable costs incurred through the date of termination.

CHANGE ORDERS

All modifications to the Scope of Work or changes to price and schedule shall be made only by written change order signed by both parties. Contractor shall not commence work billed under a change order until it is signed by Client.

CONFIDENTIALITY

Each party shall maintain in confidence all confidential or proprietary information disclosed by the other party in connection with this Proposal and shall not disclose such information to any third party except as necessary to perform obligations under this Proposal or as required by law. Confidential information does not include information that is or becomes publicly available other than by breach of this obligation.

□ Upon termination or completion, all confidential materials and copies in the possession of Contractor shall be returned to Client or certified as destroyed:

REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

Each party represents and warrants that it has the full power and authority to enter into this Proposal, that the signatory is authorized to bind the party, and that no consent of any third party is required other than those disclosed in writing prior to execution.

GOVERNING LAW

This Proposal shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of without regard to its conflicts of law rules.

NOTICES

Client Notice Address Contractor Notice Address

ENTIRE AGREEMENT

This Proposal, together with any exhibits, attachments, and executed change orders, constitutes the entire agreement between the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof and supersedes all prior and contemporaneous agreements, representations, and understandings, whether oral or written. No amendment shall be effective unless in writing and signed by both parties.

The parties acknowledge that they have read, understand, and agree to the terms set forth in this Proposal.

Client:

By:

Date:

Contractor:

By:

Date:

What a Commercial Building Proposal Covers

A Commercial Building Proposal is a written offer that describes the scope, schedule, cost and terms for work related to a commercial property project. It typically includes an executive summary, technical specifications, pricing breakdown, milestones, contingency allowances, insurance and warranty terms, and required attachments such as plans or permits. Proposals serve as the basis for negotiation, contractor selection, financing review and permit applications. In the United States these proposals are used in bidding, leasing, purchase negotiations, and pre-construction planning and can be transmitted electronically under federal and state e-signature laws.

Why a Clear Proposal Matters for Commercial Projects

A well-structured proposal reduces ambiguity, speeds evaluation, supports accurate budgeting and creates a record of intent and deliverables. Clear milestones and pricing lower dispute risk and facilitate permitting, lender review, and procurement activities.

Who Typically Prepares or Reviews These Proposals

Common participants include owners, developers, general contractors, architects, brokers and lenders who require consistent project information for decision-making.

Property owners and developers assessing feasibility and financing for new or renovated commercial buildings.
General contractors and subcontractors submitting scope, pricing and schedule for competitive selection and contract negotiation.
Architects, engineers and consultants supplying technical scope, specifications, and compliance documentation.

Each party uses the proposal for a different purpose—selection, underwriting, permitting or contract formation—so tailor content to the intended recipients and decision milestones.

Core Sections to Include in a Professional Proposal

Organize the proposal into standard sections so reviewers can compare bids consistently and locate required compliance information quickly.

Executive Summary

Concise project overview: objectives, owner, site, high-level budget, and primary deliverables to orient evaluators and lenders.

Scope of Work

Detailed description of tasks, materials, standards, and deliverables, including exclusions and assumptions to prevent scope creep.

Schedule

Milestones, critical-path dates, start and completion estimates, and key phasing details to align permitting and financing.

Budget & Pricing

Line-item costs, allowances, unit rates, contingency, payment schedule, and conditions for change orders and adjustments.

Terms & Conditions

Contractual clauses covering liability, insurance, warranties, indemnities, dispute resolution and governing law for clarity.

Attachments

Construction drawings, specifications, certificates of insurance, licenses, permit summaries and any required forms or exhibits.

Essential Fields to Provide in the Proposal

Project Address: Full street address

Owner / Client: Legal entity name

Proposal Date: MM/DD/YYYY

Total Price: Numeric value, currency

Scope Reference: Document or drawing ID

Authorized Signer: Name and title

Step-by-Step: Completing the Proposal

Follow a consistent order to reduce rework and ensure reviewers find necessary approvals, budget details and compliance items quickly.

01

Gather documents: Collect plans, permits, insurance and prior reports first.
02

Define scope: Write clear task descriptions, deliverables and exclusions.
03

Prepare budget: Itemize costs, contingencies and payment milestones.
04

Review & sign: Confirm authorization, dates, and attach supporting exhibits.

Configuring an Online Proposal Workflow

Map a digital workflow to match your approval chain and evidence requirements for auditability and repeatable execution.

Field	Configuration
Template	Pre-fill recurring sections for reuse
Conditional fields	Show fields only when relevant
Bulk send	Send identical proposals to many recipients
Authentication	Email, SMS code or KBA options

Where to Send or Submit a Completed Proposal

Choose submission targets that align with the recipient’s review process and any regulatory filing requirements.

Owner / Client: Primary recipient for bid evaluation and negotiation.
Bid Portal: Upload to the sponsor’s or municipality’s procurement portal.
Permit Office: Supply required exhibits when applying for local permits.
Lender / Underwriter: Provide to financing parties for underwriting and escrow setup.

Digital Delivery and Technical Requirements

Electronic submission is common for proposals; ensure recipients accept the chosen file format and any authentication method.

File formats: PDF, DOCX supported
Integrations: Salesforce, Procore, NetSuite
Authentication: Email, SMS, SSO options

Typical Proposal Timelines and Milestones

Set clear dates for submission, questions, review and award to align contractor scheduling, permitting and financing steps.

Proposal due date:

Submission deadline set by owner or procurement portal.

Question period closes:

Final date for RFI submissions from bidders.

Evaluation window:

Timeframe for scoring, interviews and reference checks.

Award notice:

Date owner announces selected proposer.

Contract execution:

Target date to sign and commence work.

Consequences of Errors or Omissions

Bid Rejection: Missing items may invalidate submission

Contract Disputes: Ambiguous scope increases litigation risk

Cost Overruns: Unstated exclusions cause price adjustments

Permit Delays: Incomplete exhibits can stall approvals

Tax Reporting: Incorrect vendor data triggers withholding

Warranty Exposure: Insufficient specifications affect liability

Common Preparation Mistakes to Avoid

Failing to itemize exclusions or assumptions leaves pricing open to dispute and increases negotiation time.
Submitting unsigned or incorrectly dated proposals can lead to disqualification or questions about authorization and intent.
Omitting required licenses, insurance certificates, or bond information commonly results in immediate rejection by owners or public agencies.
Using inconsistent units, rounding practices, or failing to identify contingency amounts creates confusion during evaluation and budgeting.

How a Proposal Differs from Related Documents

Compare the proposal to other common documents to choose the right form for each stage of procurement and contracting.

Document Comparison	Commercial Building Proposal	Construction Contract
Purpose	offer to perform work	binding agreement
Binding	no (until accepted)	yes (when executed)
Detail level	budget and scope summary	full legal terms
Execution timing	pre-award	post-award and mobilization

eSignature Vendor Pricing Snapshot for Proposal Workflows

Typical vendor pricing and feature distinctions for e-signing commercial proposals; signNow appears first for direct comparison with common alternatives.

	signNow	DocuSign	Adobe Sign	PandaDoc	HelloSign
Starting Price	$8/user/mo	$15/user/mo	$14/user/mo	$19/user/mo	$15/user/mo
Free Trial	7-day free trial	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor	Varies by vendor
Bulk Send	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	No
Audit Trail	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes	Yes
HIPAA Compliant	Yes	Yes	Yes	No	No
Envelope Cap	No cap	100 envelopes/user/yr	Varies	Varies	Varies

Frequently Asked Questions About Commercial Building Proposals

Answers to common issues when preparing, signing and submitting proposals, with notes on legal validity, notarization and common corrective steps.

Need help? Contact support

Can a proposal be electronically signed?
Yes. Electronic signatures are generally enforceable under the ESIGN Act (15 U.S.C. §7001) and state UETA statutes. Ensure the signatory demonstrates intent, consent, attribution and retention to meet legal validity tests.
When is notarization required?
Notarization is typically required for documents that transfer or affect title or for self-proving affidavits; local requirements vary. Deeds and certain affidavits commonly require a notary and, in some states, witnesses.
Is remote online notarization acceptable?
Many states permit RON with identity proofing and recording requirements. Confirm the target jurisdiction’s RON rules and ensure audio-video recording and retention requirements are met.
How do I correct an error after signing?
Avoid editing a signed PDF. Prepare a corrected amendment or addendum executed by all parties; retain prior versions and their audit trails to preserve the transaction history.
Who can sign on behalf of an entity?
An authorized officer or someone with express written authority may sign. Verify corporate resolution, power of attorney, or delegation documents before accepting signatures.
What file formats preserve signatures and audit trails?
Signed PDFs with an embedded audit certificate preserve signature metadata and timestamps. Retain both the signed document and the platform’s audit report for evidentiary purposes.

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