Estimates on Jobs allow you to create new estimates directly from the Job Details view, making it easy to sell or upsell on an ongoing job. They are tightly connected to the jobs they were created on, eliminating the need for multiple job-to-estimate-to-job conversions, duplicated entries on the schedule, and disruptions to the tech's time tracking.
How I do I turn on Estimates on Jobs in my account?
How I do I turn on Estimates on Jobs in my account?
Make sure Estimates on Jobs is enabled in your account settings under the 'Jobs' section. If the toggle is on, you can create an estimate from the job on the jobs page.
How to create an estimate on a job? What are the main features of estimates created on jobs?
Estimates on jobs differ from estimates created as standalone documents primarily because of how they are created and how the approved scope of those estimates can be copied back to a job.
Creating Estimates on Jobs using HCP on Web
Estimates on jobs can also be created from Housecall Pro on the web. The flow is exactly the same as on mobile. Open any job to go to the Job Details page and click the "+ Estimate" button.
This will open an estimate on a new tab.
Once you're finished creating the estimate, you have the following options:
You can send the estimate to the customer via email or SMS.
You can "Pro-approve" the estimate and copy the approved scope to the original job.
Or, you can "Pro-approve" and create a new job.
Creating Estimates on Jobs using the HCP Mobile App
To create an estimate on a job on mobile, navigate to any job to view the details screen. From there, you'll see an "Estimate +" button beneath the "Job Costing" Report. Tap the button to create an estimate on the job.
Next, you can add content to your estimate. This part works the same as with the estimates created as standalone documents - you can add line items and multiple options, use templates to create options quickly, and, if you have access to the Sales Proposal Tool, you can present the estimate as a proposal. For more information, please see 'How do I create an estimate from my iPhone?' and 'How do I create an estimate from my Android?'.
Next, present your estimate to the customer. From here, the process differs depending on the customer's decision and your ability to perform the job right away.
If the customer needs more time to consider it, you can send the estimate via email or text.
If the customer approves the estimate, and you can perform the work at the same visit, you can press the "Copy to Job" button and then select the approved Options from the Options list. Next press the "Copy to this job" button, which will display the job number, to approve the Estimate back to the original job. The line items from the approved options will appear as line items of the original job. You can then continue the work under the original job appointment. Time tracking of the original job will remain undisturbed.
If the customer approves the estimate, but you can't perform the work immediately, and you can perform the work at the same visit, you can press the "Copy to Job" button and then select the approved Options from the Options list. Next, you can select the "Copy to a new job" button to copy the approved estimate to a new job (and schedule it or leave it unscheduled for the office to schedule later). Next, you can finish the original job. Please see "Schedule a Job on Mobile".
In all scenarios described above, estimates created on a job will not create a new entry on your calendar view. In fact, estimates created on jobs can't be scheduled at all; they always follow the schedule of their original jobs. They also allow your techs to track the time on the original job without any disturbances. You can create as many estimates on a single job as you need.
Default Estimates on Jobs Settings
Estimates on Jobs is a feature available to all Pros on all pricing plans, but the functionality can be turned on or off in the account settings.
By default, we have turned this feature on for most organizations, but if you don't see the buttons to add estimates on your jobs (and you're sure you updated the mobile apps to their latest versions), from your HCP Home Page click the settings wheel to the top right to open your Account Settings. From the left side navigation bar select the Jobs drop down. From the expanded options select the Estimates on Jobs settings and click the toggle to turn the setting on.
When is the best time to create Estimates on Jobs?
Estimates perform better than jobs when you need to present different options to the customer, increasing the likelihood of selling a job. Estimates on jobs were created to streamline the process of selling and upselling during an ongoing job.
This feature is ideal when you need to schedule diagnostic / service call visits for your customers to assess their problems before presenting them with options. In such scenarios, we recommend starting by scheduling a job (so that you can take advantage of features exclusive to jobs, such as job reminders or more robust time tracking). Once the customer problem is diagnosed, create an estimate on the original job and present it to the customer.
Another use case is when you're on an ongoing job and discover a new issue or opportunity for an upsell. You can create an estimate to present your customers with different options and then copy the approved scope back to the job.
Estimates on Jobs Reporting
Estimates on Jobs come with a dedicated reporting layer. Click here to read more details about accessing the report: https://help.housecallpro.com/en/articles/9440523-estimates-on-jobs-report