> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.prostruct360.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.prostruct360.com/getting-started/creating-an-estimate.md).

# Creating an estimate

Create a job for your client, add the line items you're pricing, and send the estimate.

An estimate in ProStruct360 lives inside a **job**. You create the job for your client, add line items (each with your cost, your margin and the client's price), then send it from the job's **Emails** menu.

**Plans:** every plan. **Who:** anyone who can create jobs.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Prefer to talk it through?** Open **ProStruct AI** (top of the screen) and choose **Dictate a new job quote**. Describe the job out loud and you'll get a draft estimate to check before anything is saved.
{% endhint %}

{% embed url="<https://vimeo.com/870715245>" %}
**Building an estimate.** Recorded in an earlier version of ProStruct360, so some screens may look different. The written steps below are up to date.
{% endembed %}

{% embed url="<https://vimeo.com/870434325>" %}
**Adding a new job.** Recorded in an earlier version of ProStruct360, so some screens may look different. The written steps below are up to date.
{% endembed %}

## Before you start

* Have your client's name, email and the job address handy.
* Doing a job you've priced before? It's faster to start from a template — see [step 2](#2-check-the-job-details-and-create-the-job).

## 1. Choose the client and address

1. Go to **Jobs** and click **New Job**.
2. In **Client Name**, start typing the client's name.
   * **Already a client?** Pick them from the list, then choose one of their saved addresses in **Address** (or leave it blank to add a new one).
   * **New client?** Click **+ Create New Client**.

![Typing a new client's name shows + Create New Client](https://1775502874-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FT5UmHbQ8yBQgePRusmiv%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-59fe93d75cc88d8fb85fb6a15f032c25a1d6bc55%2Festimate-01-client-search.png?alt=media)

3. For a new client, fill in their details (first and last name, email, phone) and the job address under **New Address**.

![The new client's details and job address](https://1775502874-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FT5UmHbQ8yBQgePRusmiv%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-afd5c2362422a5f8c33120b430d43c6418ef39e4%2Festimate-02-new-client.png?alt=media)

{% hint style="warning" %}
The client's email must be a real, correctly typed address. ProStruct360 sends the estimate there, and QuickBooks rejects badly formatted emails.
{% endhint %}

## 2. Check the job details and create the job

Once the client and address are in, the job details appear below them.

* **Job Name** fills in from the address. Change it to something your team will recognise, like "Kitchen remodel – Whitaker".
* **Estimator** and **Project Manager** are optional now, but a job needs a project manager before you can schedule crews on it.
* **Create items from copy of** (optional): pick a **template**, or type to find a past job. Its line items and sections are copied into the new job, and you can change anything afterwards.

![Job details, Create items from copy of, and Create Job](https://1775502874-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FT5UmHbQ8yBQgePRusmiv%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-68300bc04084617c9914c15712bbf629aad17739%2Festimate-03-job-details.png?alt=media)

Click **Create Job**. The new job opens on its **Job Items** tab.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Making templates:** go to your profile menu (top right) → **Job Templates**, or open any job and choose **Duplicate** → **Save As Template**.
{% endhint %}

## 3. Organise the job into sections

Sections group your line items — for example *Demolition & Prep*, *Framing & Structure*, *Finishes*. Each section is a heading on the estimate, and its lines are numbered under it (1.1, 1.2…).

![Job Items grouped into sections](https://1775502874-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FT5UmHbQ8yBQgePRusmiv%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-75c5a286e01b8fc6df3f83f40319d1604f7004a7%2Festimate-04-job-items.png?alt=media)

Click **Manage Sections** to add, rename or drag sections into order. A section that has items in it can't be deleted until those items are moved to another section.

![Manage Sections](https://1775502874-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FT5UmHbQ8yBQgePRusmiv%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9a6b78b15d4feebb229021420414f727bb0ab94f%2Festimate-05-sections.png?alt=media)

## 4. Add your line items

1. Click **Add New Job Item**.
2. (Optional) **Start from a saved item** fills in a line you've saved before — name, costs and margin. It only appears once you've saved items.
3. Choose the **Section** and type the **Item Name** (and a **Description** if the client needs detail).
4. Enter your cost per unit: **Labor** and **Materials**, and the **Qty**.
5. Set your **Profit Margin**. **Per Unit Charge** and **Total** — what the client pays — work themselves out.
6. Click **Create and Close**, or **Create and Add Another** to keep going.

![A line item with labor, materials and a 30% margin](https://1775502874-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FT5UmHbQ8yBQgePRusmiv%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-38b61202db6c1f1fce5a7806d2119b37a73f7f41%2Festimate-06-line-item.png?alt=media)

{% hint style="danger" %}
**Profit Margin starts at 0%.** At 0% the client is charged exactly your cost. Set your margin on every line before you send.
{% endhint %}

**Other options on a line:**

| Option                           | What it does                                                                                             |
| -------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Hide From Client**             | Keeps the line off the client's estimate (its price is locked while hidden).                             |
| **Change Order**                 | Marks the line as a change to work already agreed.                                                       |
| **Pay material costs to vendor** | The crew's bill for this line includes the materials, not just labor.                                    |
| **Is Go Back Work**              | Labels the line **GO BACK WORK** on the crew's work order, for a return visit.                           |
| **Save as New Preset**           | Saves this line so you can use it on future jobs with *Start from a saved item*. Owners and admins only. |

## 5. Send the estimate

1. Open the orange **Emails** button at the top of the job and choose **Send Estimate**.

![The Emails menu](https://1775502874-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FT5UmHbQ8yBQgePRusmiv%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-3123cf50954ded6da1e1e7f0205b430b19f48d1a%2Festimate-07-emails-menu.png?alt=media)

2. The email is addressed to your client, with the subject filled in and **Estimate.pdf** attached.
   * Click **View** to check the PDF before it goes.
   * **Show Units/Cost** adds per-unit price and quantity columns to the PDF.
   * **Add a note to the PDF** prints a message on the estimate.
   * **Insert template** fills in one of your saved email templates.
3. Click **Send**.

![Send Estimate, with Estimate.pdf attached](https://1775502874-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FT5UmHbQ8yBQgePRusmiv%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-9bd361484d4fc1c77a7914c4a9303b2d6afcd87e%2Festimate-08-send-estimate.png?alt=media)

4. Set **Job Status** to **Open Estimate**, so the job shows as waiting on the client.

## Common questions

**The client's price looks the same as my cost.** The line's Profit Margin is 0%. Open the line, set the margin, and save.

**I can't see "Start from a saved item".** It only appears once your company has saved items. Save one with **Save as New Preset** on any line.

**Can I send it to more than one person?** Yes — add them in **Cc** on the email before you click Send.

## Related

* [Work orders](/running-jobs/work-orders.md) — once the job is approved, send each crew their part.
* [Connecting QuickBooks](/connections/connecting-quickbooks.md)