Estimates

Estimates Overview

Estimates let you present repair costs to customers for approval before work begins. Each estimate is tied to a "Who Pays" contact and automatically pulls line items from the job. Estimates go through a lifecycle: Draft → Sent → Approved (or Declined). You can also void estimates. Lines can also be placed on multiple estimates in case you want to give a few options to the customer.

Create an Estimate

1. Open a job and go to the Line Items section.
2. Click the "Estimates" button.
3. Click "Create Estimate".
4. Select who pays from the dropdown (contacts on the job).
5. Optionally add a label (e.g. "Required", "Recommended", "Supplement") and notes.
6. The "Exclude lines already on an approved estimate" checkbox prevents duplicate billing.
7. Click "Create Draft Estimate". The system auto-generates line items from the job's line items that match the selected "Who Pays" contact.

Send an Estimate

Once a draft estimate is ready, you can send it to the customer.

1. Open the estimate detail view.
2. Click "Send to Customer".
3. Choose a delivery method:
   • Send via Email — Sends an email with estimate details and an approval link. Requires the customer to have an email on file with consent.
   • Generate Link Only — Creates an approval link you can share via text, chat, or in person. No email is sent.

After sending, you can also copy the approval link at any time using the "Copy Approval Link" button.

Approve In-Person (Kiosk Mode)

Overview: Kiosk mode lets a customer approve an estimate on your device in person. The screen locks into a full-screen kiosk view that the customer cannot navigate away from.

1. Open the estimate detail view.
2. Click "Approve In-Person".
3. The device enters kiosk mode showing the estimate details.
4. The customer reviews the line items, signs with their finger or stylus, types their full name, and clicks "Approve Estimate".
5. After approval, a confirmation screen appears asking them to return the device.
6. An employee exits kiosk mode using the lock icon and entering the shop's PIN.

Customer Approval

When a customer receives an estimate (via email or link), they see the estimate details and can approve it with a signature and their printed name. The signature, name, date/time, and user agent are all recorded.

After approval, the shop can view the approved snapshot — a frozen record of exactly what the customer approved, including line items and totals at the time of approval.

Manage Estimates

• Add/Remove Line Items — While in draft status, you can add or remove individual line items from the estimate.
• Void/Delete — Draft estimates can be deleted. Sent estimates can be voided.
• View Approved Snapshot — For approved estimates, click "View Approved Snapshot" to see the exact line items and totals at the time of approval.
• Filter Line Items — In the main line items table, use the Estimates column filter to show only line items on a specific estimate or by status.