Here at FieldPulse we always recommend linking a Job, Estimate, and/or Invoice directly to the Customer Record. This will save you time as a lot of the pertinent information will pull across amongst all of the Records.

If your estimate is not linked to an existing job, you can also create an estimate by entering a customer record then selecting Actions > Create Estimate, or from the Estimates tab in the left-side menu, then selecting Create Estimate.

Also, another way to begin is by opening the corresponding Job Record for which you want to create an estimate. Click the green Actions button then select Create Estimate.

If created via a job record, the customer and linked job will be auto-populated. If created from a customer record or the Estimates tab, you may need to link the related customer and/or job.

Here you also have the option to import an estimate template. Click here to learn more about creating estimate templates.

The estimate expiration date is set as a default in Company Settings, but you can click into the Expiration Date field to change it on this individual estimate.

The magic begins when you add your line items! Here you will add materials and labor to make up the total of what you will be charging your customer. Select the green Add Item button and an additional tab will automatically open towards the right hand side of your screen.

If you have already spent the time to add all of your potential line items in Company Settings you can easily search for them here.

Click on the line item you want to add and you will then need to select Add to Estimate and Add Next Item if you have additional line items to include or Add to Estimate if this is your last line item.

If you have not entered all of your line items in Company Settings, you will need to select the button to Create a New Line Item.

Enter the item name, type, SKU (if applicable), unit cost, unit price, quantity, and description. Decide whether to track inventory and/or tax this item. Add tags to further organize your line items. You can associate the UPC (barcode) with your line item as well as a supplier if it makes sense for your business. Click the green Save Item button then Add Item. This will save the item in your item list and add it to the current estimate.

After adding your line items, you can click the eye icon on the right to choose whether that line item is visible to the customer or not, the pen icon to edit the item, or the trash icon to delete the item.

Once you're finished adding line items, you can add notes, attach files, and/or add a contract. To add Estimate Notes, simply start typing in the box, it will automatically save when you save the estimate. These notes will be shown near the top of the estimate PDF. To include internal notes not visible to your customers, use the Internal Notes tab.

To attach files or photos, click on the files field and upload your desired files.

To attach a contract, click on the contracts field and select your desired contract. To learn more about contracts or to set a default contract, click here. Note: A contract is required to be attached if you are wanting a signature from a customer on an estimate that you are presenting to them in person.

Next, you can review your subtotal, add a discount or surcharge, and edit the tax rate as necessary.

Once your estimate is complete, click Save Estimate. You'll then be taken to the estimate record. Notice that the status of this estimate is draft. Click the blue Edit button if you want to change anything. 

When you're ready, click View Estimate to generate a preview of the estimate.

From here, you can send the estimate to your customer, as well as customize the appearance of your estimate. To learn more, visit the other articles in the Sales Collection.