Build an estimate with good, better and best options

Overview#

An estimate is one priced option for the customer. A proposal groups two to four options (good, better, best) so the customer picks one; selling one closes the others. You build options from your published pricebook, in the office on the job page or on site in the Field app. Each option can carry a summary, a recommended flag, energy savings, rebates, brochures and photos.

Before you start#

• Building and changing estimates needs estimates.write: Owner, Admin, Dispatcher and Technician (technicians on their own jobs). Customer service, Accounting and Viewer can see estimates but not build them.

• The job must not be canceled, and your pricebook needs active items.

• Prices come from the published pricebook. Tax comes from the job's tax rate (and is removed for customers with a valid tax-exempt certificate).

Steps#

Build options in the office#

1. Open the job and scroll to Estimates.

2. Open Add estimate. You'll see three columns: Option 1, Option 2, Option 3.

3. For a single estimate, fill only Option 1. For a proposal, fill two or three.

4. In each option, set the Name (Option 2 and 3 default to "Better" and "Best").

5. Add lines: type in Search the pricebook by name, code or category, pick the item in Pick an item…, set the quantity, and click Another line for more.

6. Click Create estimate. Options are numbered after the job (for example 1042-1) and shown together as Proposal · 3 options.

7. The customer gets an "options are ready" text with the One Link, when texting is on.

To start from a ready-made set of options instead, use Start from a kit (see Estimate templates: kits and proposal templates).

Edit an option#

1. On an open option, open Edit option.

2. Change the Name or Summary, enter Energy savings / year ($) and How it's estimated, or tick Recommended.

3. Click Save option.

4. In the same panel you can add rebates and attach brochures.

Duplicate an option#

1. Click Duplicate option on an open option. A copy named "{name} (copy)" is added with the same lines, summary, rebates, brochures and proof.

2. Edit the copy. Duplicating a single estimate turns it into a proposal.

Write one summary for every option#

1. Under a proposal with two or more open options, open Shared summary.

2. Write the text (for example "Every option includes…"), tick the options it applies to and click Apply to selected options. It replaces those options' summaries.

Build options in the Field app#

1. On the appointment, open Estimates and choose Single option, Good / Best or Good / Better / Best.

2. Optionally Start from a template or Start from a kit.

3. Name each option, add What the customer gets (optional), add items and photos, and tap Create estimate (or Create {count} options).

4. Technicians can change an item's price on site; the app shows "Price changed from {price}. Tap to reset."

5. Without signal, options save on the phone and reach the office later. The technician can still present and take approval.

Settings that change this#

• Pricebook › Services & Materials: items and published prices.

• Pricebook › Estimate Templates and Pricebook › Proposal Templates: ready-made options.

• Settings › Integrations › Financing: monthly prices shown on each option.

• Settings › Communications › Customer Notifications: the "estimate ready" text.

Tips#

• Mark one option Recommended. It gets a banner on the presentation and the One Link.

• Use the shared summary for what every option includes, and each option's own summary for what's different.

• A proposal can have up to four options. The office form shows three; use Duplicate option for a fourth.

Troubleshooting#

• "Add at least one line from the pricebook." → an option has a name but no items → add items or clear that option.

• "This job was canceled." → you can't estimate on a canceled job → book a new job.

• "A proposal can have 4 options at most." → remove or dismiss an option first.

• "An option in this proposal is already sold." → you can't duplicate into a sold proposal → create a new estimate.

• "This option is sold, so it can't be changed." / "This option was dismissed." → only open options can be edited.

FAQ#

Can I change the items or prices on an existing option in the office? No. Edit the name, summary and extras only. To change items, duplicate the option and build it again, or create a new estimate.

Can I delete an option? Dismiss it. Dismissed options stay on the job for the record but are hidden from the customer.

Why didn't the customer get a text? The "options ready" text goes out when you use Create estimate in the office and texting is on. Kits, replacement proposals and Field app options don't send it; use Text link in Messages.

Coming from ServiceTitan#

• Same: estimates built from the pricebook; multiple options on a job; the customer picks one.

• Different: options are grouped into one proposal and selling one dismisses the others automatically. The office can't override prices; technicians can on site.

• Where it lived: ServiceTitan's Estimates tab on the job and the mobile estimate builder; the Estimates card on the TradesWork job page and Estimates in the Field app.