How to Create a Quote
Simplify your quoting process by first setting up your Quote Presets.
You can create a quote from a new or existing lead, or from your Quotes tab.
In this article:
Create a Quote from the Leads Tab
Create a Quote from the Quotes Tab
Create a Quote from the Leads Tab
Navigate to the Leads tab from the User Menu Panel on the left and follow these steps:
- Click into the lead that you want to create a quote for, or create a new lead.
Click New > Quote.
- If you have existing Lead Items you can select them now, or just click Create.
- See Completing Your Quote below.
Create a Quote from the Quotes Tab
Creating a Quote for an Existing Lead
Navigate to the Quotes tab from the User Menu Panel on the left and follow these steps:
- Click Create.
- Select your lead from the dropdown, or click Create a Lead and return to this process after you have set up your new lead.
- When you have selected your lead, click Create again.
- See Completing Your Quote below.
Multiple quotes that are the same or similar? You can copy a quote using the 3-dot menu dropdown inside the quote you want to duplicate:
Also make sure to set up Quote Presets to quickly populate your quotes with commonly requested or "core" items.
Completing Your Quote
Once you've created a quote, you will be redirected to view it inside the Quotes tab:
Next to your quote number you will see:
- Quote Status
- Quote Value
- Profit Margin
Under your quote number you will see:
- Quote Description
- Contact Person
- Add New Contact Person
- Quote Generated Date
- Quote Expiry Date
- Template Option
- Tax Type - This is the default tax type and can be overridden on each item/component/element of the quote.
- Quote Style - This is the default style and can be overridden on each item/component/element of the quote.
Customise your quote and change any of these by clicking on the required field to update.
Tip: Make sure you assign the correct style to your quote, because this will become the default style for all your items, sections, or products in that quote.
Quote Introductions
In your quote you'll also see an Introduction field:
What are Quote Introductions?
The introduction is a few lines or a paragraph of text that appears on the quote - usually at the top, but you can customise its position in your quote template.
The introduction typically contains a personalised message to the client, e.g. "Dear Jane, thank you for considering our business." But it can contain as much or as little information as you like.
How to Create a Default Quote Introduction
- Go to Settings > Templates > Quote.
- Select an existing quote template from the list and click Update. (If you want to create a new quote template from scratch, read here.)
In the Edit Template window, type your introduction text, including template variables if desired.
- Click Preview > Save Changes.
Tip: You can create different templates for different types of recipients. For example, the introduction to a quote for an individual customer might have a friendly and conversational tone, whereas the introduction to a quote for a business might be more formal.
Applying and Editing Introductions When Creating a Quote
When creating a quote, your introduction field will populate automatically once you select a Template Option, provided you have set up an introduction in that template, as explained above.
If you are not using a template for your quote, or your chosen template does not contain an introduction, you can type an introduction directly into the introduction field.
You can also edit the default introduction by typing directly into the introduction field after you have selected your template.
If you change the template in your quote after the introduction field has been populated and/or edited, you will see this dialogue box:
If you click Yes, anything you have typed in the introduction field will be replaced with the default introduction for the new template. If the new template doesn't have an introduction, the introduction field will become empty.
If you click No, Keep My Changes, the introduction field will stay the same as before, but the new template will be applied to the rest of the quote.
Add Quote Items
Once you've selected your quote style and template, you should add items to your quote. These can be grouped into sections for easier reading and pricing.
Please Note: To add products and parts, you need to click into the item or preset.
Read more: How to Add Products to Quotes.
Add a Section
- Click Add New > Section.
- Name your section.
- Click Create.
Now you can add items or presets to your sections.
Tip: To delete a section, you must first delete the items in the section. Select the items, then click With Selected > Delete.
Add an Item
- Click Add New > Item.
- Name your item.
- Add any extra notes or information in the description box.
- If you have created a section, choose which section to allocate this item to.
- If you have lead items, you can add them here.
- Click Create.
Tip: Quickly add an item by clicking the + logo at the bottom of your quote section.
Add a Preset
- Click Add New > Preset.
- Choose your preset/s from the dropdown.
- Choose which section to allocate this preset to.
- Click Create.
Tip: Quickly add a preset by clicking the lightning bolt logo at the bottom of your quote section.
Click into any of the value fields to add your costs, overheads, wastage, profit margins, price or discounts as shown below.
Add an Import
If you have a bill of materials from your CAD/CAM software, you can bring these into your quote using the following steps:
- Click Add New > Import.
- Select your CAD/CAM software from the Driver drop-down.
- Choose which section to allocate this import to.
- Click Import.
- Drag-and-drop or click to upload your file.
- Click Import again.
Review the breakdown of your quote to see profit and totals, etc.
You can click Preview at the top right to see how the quote will appear when sent to the client.
Click Save Changes at the bottom right to complete your quote.
You will be redirected to the completed quote page, where you can do any of the following:
- Update the quote further
- Email the quote to yourself or the client
- Print to PDF
- Send an invoice (once the quote has been accepted)
Tip: Change the quote status by clicking on the current status (in orange) next to the quote number. Remember, if you want to turn this quote into a job, the quote status must be Quote Accepted. This is automated when clients accept quotes via the link they are sent.
Copy Quote Items (including Presets, Products, Parts, Components, Etc.)
To save time creating the same (or similar) quote items (this includes presets, products, parts, components, etc.), you can copy one or more lines in a quote, then edit them if desired.
In your chosen quote section, select one or more presets/products/parts/etc., then click With Selected > Copy to create exact duplicates of your chosen lines.
See Also: How to Send a Quote or Revising a Quote