Writing estimates

802climber said:
I have my job proposal + contract on one double-sided sheet of letterhead, I like to type them up and email as a PDF or even snail mail for some customers.

I do carry some carbon paper and the same forms with blank section in case I want to hand write an easy one on the spot. Or if the customer wants to sign right now.


NCR No Carbon Required. Cheap enough, and way more pro than carbon paper, plus you don't get those areas with poor copy due to the carbon being used up. Just take in a copy or email a file to any office supply.

I hope to eventually upgrade to ipad and printer in the vehicle.............
Click to expand...

Small printers are available. I wonder if you don't just email.

My guy, Erik, did some techno stuff where he can get e-signatures via email, which could work out right there, if you let them sign into their email on your tablet, I think.
I can ask what program he uses for it. (I do the mechanical end of things, he does the computer end of things).
 
  • Thread Starter Thread Starter
  • #30
Thanks for all the good responses so far.

What software programs do you all use for electronic estimates, and what kind of computer do you use, a tablet? And do you use an Apple tablet (iPad) or a Windows based tablet?

Thanks.
 
SouthSoundTree said:
Small printers are available. I wonder if you don't just email.

My guy, Erik, did some techno stuff where he can get e-signatures via email, which could work out right there, if you let them sign into their email on your tablet, I think.
I can ask what program he uses for it. (I do the mechanical end of things, he does the computer end of things).
Click to expand...
Sure I can email it, there is nothing like giving someone a piece of paper though with the price, spec etc, you are more likely to get a yes on the spot.
 
La becasse said:
Sure I can email it, there is nothing like giving someone a piece of paper though with the price, spec etc, you are more likely to get a yes on the spot.
Click to expand...

I agree, but Erik's writing is chicken scratch.

A portable printer or sign-able e-copy would be improvements.

I used to do it all by hand, and it was easy in many ways, but you can't stay in a cave forever. E-copies are going to be easier to find later with a search engine.

If I could get all my employees to do things as I would do them, I would have a kick ass business with systems all in place. Its impossible though. I try to let him work with his strengths.
 
I started using Quickbooks back when, but when my hard drive crashed (and I didn't back it up. Dummy.) I went back to paper. It worked, but then I took a FT job with the State Parks, and had to relinquish some control. Paper worked. We use google documents and a templete in Adobe, IIRC. Real time updates and sharing, which was useful.

I think Quickbooks worked well.
 
You guys should try Jobber. It does a fine job creating estimates- but more importantly it helps with scheduling, tracking who has paid, staffing, etc. just keeping a running tab of who owes me money makes it worth it for me. I get bonus points if you click here to check it out!

http://getjobber.com/?thank=treecarela

They give a free trial. I've tried 6 similar programs now and though it isn't perfect, Jobber is the best.


love
nick
 
I use invoice 2 go. It does everything Nick described except scheduling. It also has instant monthly, quarterly and yearly reports. Running totals on receivables and how late they may be etc.
For scheduling I use Google calendar. I have my bid schedule in one color, crew in another, stumps and spray jobs in their own colors and my back up estimator in another color. I can give the crew access to any or all of those if need be. Pretty sweet really
 
Black coffee today but I guess it's not politically correct to call me that :p
 
SouthSoundTree said:
Does this include QBs, Nick?
Click to expand...

jobber cost $10-$20 per month. I can't remember exactly. But the cost is so small I don't even pay attention to it. For another five dollars or so you get to link jobber to your QuickBooks account. But I don't use QuickBooks so I don't know anything about it.



love
nick
 
NickfromWI said:
You guys should try Jobber. It does a fine job creating estimates- but more importantly it helps with scheduling, tracking who has paid, staffing, etc. just keeping a running tab of who owes me money makes it worth it for me. I get bonus points if you click here to check it out!

http://getjobber.com/?thank=treecarela

They give a free trial. I've tried 6 similar programs now and though it isn't perfect, Jobber is the best.


love
nick
Click to expand...

What about ArborGold? Anyone?
 
I don't get arbor gold. It costs thousands of dollars just to try it out. They've got an iPad app- but you can't even putz around on it without flying one of their setup specialists to your office and getting them a hotel for training. What the heck?


love
nick
 
NickfromWI said:
jobber cost $10-$20 per month. I can't remember exactly. But the cost is so small I don't even pay attention to it. For another five dollars or so you get to link jobber to your QuickBooks account. But I don't use QuickBooks so I don't know anything about it.
Click to expand...

Jobber is currently 39$ a month and the QuickBooks Add-on just came out of Beta and is now 9$ a month.

If you guys have any questions I would be happy to answer them.

-Landen from Jobber
 
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