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How to Create a New Estimate

Start a new job from your pipeline, assign it to a customer, and choose how to build the estimate.

Overview
Create a new estimate from your pipeline by starting a new job, assigning it to a customer and naming it. You can then build the estimate with AI, upload an old estimate, start from scratch, or add assemblies and templates from your catalog.

Create the Job

1. In the left-hand menu, click Jobs.

2. Click Pipeline.

3. In the top right corner, click the black + button. The What would you like to create? window opens.

4. Click New job. The estimate opens with the Assign job to customer window.

 

Assign the Job to a Customer

1. Under Who is this job for?, select Existing customer or New customer.

2. If you selected Existing customer, click Choose a customer and select the customer from the list.

3. In Name this job, enter a name for the job. If you're not sure, use the address or the customer's name.

4. Click Assign customer. The estimate opens on Start your estimate.

If you don't want to assign a customer yet, click Skip for now.

 

Start Your Estimate

On Start your estimate, choose how you want to build the estimate:

  • Use AI: Describe the job in the text box (for example, a 2-storey custom home, 4,000 sq ft), then click the arrow button. Bolster drafts the scope for you.
  • Upload an old estimate: Click Upload an old estimate to use an estimate from a different project.
  • Start from scratch: Click Start from scratch to build the estimate yourself.
  • Use your catalog: Add an estimate, assembly or template you've saved to your catalog, or one of the AutoCost templates. Follow the steps below.

 

Add Assemblies or Templates From Your Catalog

1. Under Catalog, check the box on each assembly or template you want to add (for example, Metal Roofing - Example). To find one, use Search assemblies....

2. At the bottom of the page, click Add 1 assembly. If you selected more than one, the button shows the number you selected (for example, Add 2 assemblies).

To clear your selection, click Clear.

 

Why This Matters

  • You can start a new estimate for a new or existing customer in a few clicks from your pipeline.
  • You can build the estimate the way that suits the job: with AI, from an old estimate, from scratch, or from your saved catalog items and templates.

Summary

To create a new estimate, go to Jobs > Pipeline, click the black + button in the top right corner and select New job. Choose an existing or new customer, name the job and click Assign customer. Then build your estimate with AI, upload an old estimate, start from scratch, or select assemblies and templates from your catalog and click Add assembly.