In addition to the general line items in the Estimate, it’s common to include costs from subcontractor Bids and client options through Selections and Allowances. Selections tied to their respective Allowances help better organize information. These costs can be easily added either as placeholders before approval or as final amounts once the item is approved.

Approved and Included Bids and Selection Choices are automatically shown on the Estimate and labeled for quick identification.

To include a Bid on the Estimate prior to approving the Bid; select Include in Budget on the Bid. This may be done to act as a placeholder for the Builder Cost on the Estimate. 

 

Once a Bid has been approved or Included in Estimate and Budget (shown above), it will automatically be added to your Estimate. You will now see a "Bid" label beside the Line Item for quick identification.

To include a Selection Choice on the Estimate prior to approving the Choice; select Include in Budget on the Selection Choice.

Once an Allowance has been created and saved and/or a Selection Choice approved or Included in Estimate and Budget (shown above), it will automatically be added to your Estimate. You will now see a "Allowance" and/or "Selection" label beside the Line Item for quick identification.

The Bid, Selection, or Allowance can be directly accessed by clicking on it in the Estimate. Line Items are appropriately labeled as Bid, Selection Choice and Allowance for quick identification.

Alternatively, you may manually update a Line Item's Cost Type/Mark As fields, to label the intended purpose.

Depending on your estimating process, using Cost Types and Mark As in this way could save you time and help keep your line items organized.

When ready, use Checked Actions to select those Line Items to create a desired item from the Estimate.

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You can present the scope of work and optional upgrades directly within your Estimate or Proposal by marking specific groups as optional. This gives clients a clear distinction between core project costs and upgrades, reducing confusion and improving transparency.

Navigate to an existing Estimate and add any optional scope of work add-ons with a Cost Group.

Click the ellipsis on your Group(s) and select Mark as Optional from the dropdown actions menu. Once the Group has been marked as optional, it will show as ! Pending option.

 

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You may customize how the Group is displayed to your client. Navigate to the Estimate, and select Build Proposal.

From the Client Preview tab, add Total Approved Options to the Display to Client fields. This will break down the Base Price (total required costs) and Approved Options.

 

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Once released, the client will need to approve or decline any optional Groups before approving or declining the Proposal. 

To approve or decline, clients will select their choice beside Groups labeled with ! Pending option.

The Total Price will update following the Option approval.

When all optional Groups have either been Approved or Declined, the client may Approve the entire Proposal.

 

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If your client is unable to approve the Options or Proposal, you may approve or decline the options on their behalf.

Navigate to the Estimate. Select the ellipsis on your optional Group(s) and select Approve Option or Decline Option from the dropdown actions menu.

 

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