Estimates and what they can do
An estimate is a statement
to a prospective (or present) customer,
describing work to be done and the price to
be charged. Your expected costs for the
work, including materials and purchased
services, plus markups, can be displayed on
the screen, and (with limitations)
printed. The estimate looks like an
invoice, and anyone familiar with the invoice
form (Chapter 7) can prepare an estimate,
noting some minor differences. Estimates
can be customized, in a manner closely
parallel to customizing invoices.
(Chapter 17)
Estimates are activated with a switch under
File|Preferences|Jobs & Estimates
or Preferences|Estimates.
Creating an estimate begins with opening the
Customer:Job list. Click
Activities|Create Estimates.
Class box may appear. The decision to use classes is made in the company accounting plan (Chapter 2) and
implemented with a preference. If classes are active, invoices and estimates either will have a class field (as
here) or if the template (next paragraph) is so set up, will have a class column. If the class field is shown, that
class will attach (as a default) to every income item in the estimate and in any invoices made from it.
Template
gives a choice of the default
Custom Estimate
or any customized estimates that are on file. See
Chapter 17.
Date
should be inspected on every window or box where it appears.
All information can be entered as on the invoice.
OK
records the estimate.
Print
produces an invoice on paper, either in default format or as customized.
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