Create and send an estimate

A Recoatly estimate is a proposal your customer opens on their phone or computer, reviews, and approves with a typed signature. Here's how to build one and send it.

Build the estimate

1. Go to Estimates and click New estimate (or click Estimate on the customer's page).
2. Under Customer, search for the customer. If they're new, type their name and choose Create.
3. Give it an Estimate title, check the Valid until date and choose the Service address.
4. Under Line items, click in the Add from price book box, pick a service and set the quantity. Use Blank line for anything that isn't in your price book.
5. Each line is Included unless you change it. Set it to Optional add-on for anything the customer can choose to add, such as gutter guards or an extra room. They tick the ones they want when they approve.
6. To offer alternatives — good, better and best — put those lines one under another and set each to Choose one of…. Lines next to each other join the same choice; type a name for it, such as Finish. The customer picks exactly one. Tick Offered as chosen on the one you recommend; the estimate total starts with that one.
7. To ask for a deposit, set Deposit to Percent or Fixed and enter the amount.
8. Write a Message to the customer — it's the first thing they read — and check the Terms. Internal notes stay with your team.
9. Click Create estimate to save a draft, or Save and send.

Send it

1. Open the estimate and click Send.
2. Check the subject and message.
3. Click Send estimate. Your customer gets an email with the total, the valid-until date and a Review and approve button.

Good to know

• The customer needs an email address on file. You can also copy the link under Customer link on the estimate and send it yourself.
• Customers can't open an estimate while it's still a draft. Preview as customer shows you their view without counting as a view.
• Opening an estimate link in a browser where you're signed in to Recoatly always shows your own preview, so you can't approve it there. To try the customer's side, open the link in a private window or on another device.
• What happens when they open it? See How customers approve an estimate.
• The Status panel shows when the estimate was sent, when it was first viewed, how many times it's been opened and when it was answered.
• Once it's sent, the Follow up on unanswered estimates automation can chase it for you. See Turn on automatic follow-ups and reminders.
• Use Duplicate in the ⋯ menu to start a similar estimate, and Print / save as PDF for a paper copy.
• The Margin panel shows your estimated cost and gross margin at the quoted price. Customers never see it.
• Text messaging is coming soon. For now, estimates go out by email.