Skip to main content
Estimates

How to send an estimate to a client

Check what your client will see, let Walter check the math, and send it, with an owner’s sign-off first if your studio wants one.

Written By Julia M.

Overview

Check the estimate the way your client will see it, then send it by email. If your studio asks for an owner’s sign-off, it goes to the owner first.

Watch it: the Finances lesson in Campus, step 3, “Send it and get an answer”, chapter 1, “What your client sees” (starts at 0:07), chapter 2, “Walter’s checks” (starts at 0:30) and chapter 3, “Sign-off” (starts at 0:52).

Check it first

  1. Open the estimate and click Preview as client. It shows the estimate exactly as your client will, with Walter’s checks beside it.

Preview as client: the estimate as your client will see it, with Walter’s checks and the Show to client switches

  1. Walter checks the math before anything goes out: every line, section and deposit, against his own count. He points out anything priced below your usual markup, and whether raising it would still fit your client’s budget.

  2. Before you send lists what is left to fix, with Fix to take you straight there.

Walter checked the math, and Before you send shows nothing to fix

Send it

  1. Click Save and send. If your studio wants an owner’s sign-off, the button reads Submit for sign-off.

  2. Check To (every client who signs), add anyone in CC, and edit the Subject and Message. The message starts from your Estimate email template, and the email’s button reads View & approve.

  3. Leave Attach the estimate as a PDF ticked to attach the PDF.

  4. Click Send, or Submit for sign-off.

The email, ready to submit for sign-off

Sign-off

  • The email waits with the estimate, and the estimate is locked while it waits.

  • Need to change something? Take it back.

  • The owner or admin can Make a change, Send back with a note, or Sign off and send in one step.

Waiting for sign-off, with Take it back, Make a change, Send back and Sign off and send

What happens next

  • The status moves to Sent, then Viewed with the time your client opened it.

  • To nudge your client, click the estimate’s status and choose Set a reminder.

  • Which documents need a sign-off, and who signs off, is set in Settings › Studio › Sign-off and approvals.

Was this helpful?

Still need help? Ask the team