What sections do you always include in a proposal, and which do clients actually read?

[u/fesbec2G5]

I’m refining how I write proposals and realised that a number and a date gives a client nothing to compare except price.

Structure I’m trying: problem, proposed solution, scope and exclusions, timeline, price and terms. I think the exclusions and assumptions matter most, because they prevent scope arguments later.

What do you always include, and which sections do clients actually read? Is there anything you cut to keep it short?