Estimates and what they can do

An estimate is a statement to a prospective (or present) customer, describing work to be done and the price to be charged. Your expected costs for the work, including materials and purchased services, plus markups, can be displayed on the screen, and (with limitations) printed. The estimate looks like an invoice, and anyone familiar with the invoice form (Chapter 7) can prepare an estimate, noting some minor differences. Estimates can be customized, in a manner closely parallel to customizing invoices. (Chapter 17)

Estimates are activated with a switch under File|Preferences|Jobs & Estimates or Preferences|Estimates.

Creating an estimate begins with opening the Customer:Job list. Click Activities|Create Estimates.

Class box may appear. The decision to use classes is made in the company accounting plan (Chapter 2) and implemented with a preference. If classes are active, invoices and estimates either will have a class field (as here) or if the template (next paragraph) is so set up, will have a class column. If the class field is shown, that class will attach (as a default) to every income item in the estimate and in any invoices made from it.

Template gives a choice of the default Custom Estimate or any customized estimates that are on file. See Chapter 17.

Date should be inspected on every window or box where it appears.

All information can be entered as on the invoice.

OK records the estimate.

Print produces an invoice on paper, either in default format or as customized.