Estimates on Jobs Overview
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.
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.
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.
Create Estimates on Jobs (HCP Web Portal)
To create an Estimate on a Job from the HCP web portal:
Open a job to go to the Job details page and click the "+ Estimate" button in the Estimates section at the top of the page. This will open an estimate on a new tab.
Once you're finished creating the estimate, you have the following options:
Send the estimate to the customer via email or SMS.
"Pro-approve" the estimate and copy the approved scope to the original job.
"Pro-approve" and create a new job.
Please Note: If applicable, any attachments on the job must be manually added to the estimate, as they will not transfer over automatically.
Create Estimates on Jobs (HCP Mobile App)
To create an Estimate on a Job on the HCP mobile app:
Open a job to view the Job details screen.
Tap the "Estimate +" button beneath the "Job Costing" report.
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.
📖 Help Article:
For more information, check out our article, "How to Create an Estimate."
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.
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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.
Please Note: If applicable, any attachments on the job must be manually added to the estimate, as they will not transfer over automatically.
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), follow the steps below:
On the HCP web portal, click the gear icon in the top right corner of your account to open your Account Settings.
Click the Jobs drop-down from the menu on the left and select 'Estimates on Jobs.'
Click the toggle to turn the setting on, and that's it! Estimates on Jobs will now be enabled on your account!
Estimates on Jobs Reporting
Estimates on Jobs come with a dedicated reporting layer. Click here to read more details about accessing the report:
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