How to Create an Estimate in Minutes
Watch this video tutorial to learn how to create a professional and branded estimate in minutes with Houzz Pro.
There are several options to choose from when creating a new estimate for your project. You can:
- Create an estimate from an existing template
- Create your own estimate template
- Create an estimate from scratch
- Upload an existing estimate
- Duplicate an existing estimate from another project
To start:
1. Go to the project where you would like to create an estimate. From within the Estimates section of that project, click on the New Estimate button.
2. From the dropdown menu, select From Scratch, Upload, or From Template.
Create Estimate from Existing Template
The easiest way to create an estimate in minutes is by using one of our existing templates as your foundation.
When you select the Template option in the New Estimate dropdown, you will be able to pick from six options, including:
- New Build - Residential House
- Kitchen & Bathroom Remodel
- Loft Conversion
- Carpentry
- Drywall
- Painting - Residential Development
Once you select your preferred template, click the Create button to get started. Houzz Pro will then build out an extensive estimate that you can customize to your needs.
You can read more about templates in this article: How to Create Estimates and Invoices from Templates
Create Your Own Estimate Template
If you have a standard template for your business that you would like to use time and time again, you can also create your own custom template.
Once you create your estimate with your preferred format, select the Actions dropdown, and find Save as Template.
From there, you can name your template and select all the sections you would like to keep for your estimate template. Click Save.
Once you create your template, you will be able to access it in the Template Center whenever you need it — just look under the Your Templates section.
You can read more about creating your own estimate template in this article: How to Save Your Estimates as Templates
Create Estimate from Scratch
If you would prefer to create your own estimate, no problem. Select the From Scratch option in the New Estimate dropdown. You will then be able to add line items, custom columns and descriptions as needed.
To add line items, quickly search through your own library or choose items or categories from a robust list of thousands of pre-loaded parts with market-suggested prices.
Pro tip: To save time, you can copy line items from an external spreadsheet or list and paste directly into a Houzz Pro estimate. Read this article to learn more.
You can customize your estimate by easily clicking into a field and editing it, or adding your own custom fields. Arrange your estimate how you want it by grouping your line items by category, room, any single-select custom field you added, or no grouping at all. These groupings will also be applied to the downloaded PDF and client view of the estimate.
Here are a few helpful articles to get you started on the process:
How to Add Custom Columns, Line Item Descriptions, and Images
How to Customize Descriptions on Estimate Line Items
Upload Estimate File
If you already have an estimate that you would like to upload into Houzz Pro, you can do this as well. Select the Upload option in the New Estimate dropdown. You will then be able to upload a file from your computer to use in your project.
You can read more about estimate uploads in this article: How to Upload Existing Estimates
Duplicate Existing Estimate
If you have an estimate that you used in a previous project and would like to use again, you also have the ability to duplicate that estimate and move it to another project.
To start:
- Open up the estimate you would like to duplicate. Select the Actions dropdown, and find Duplicate and Edit.
- From there, you can choose to either duplicate the estimate to the existing project, or you can duplicate the estimate and move to another project.
3. If you decide to use in another project, just select that Project from the dropdown menu that pops up, or you can choose to create a new project for this estimate.
4. The duplicate estimate will now be in the selected projects so you can make changes as needed.
Preview and Share Estimate
Before sending your estimate, you can preview it and choose exactly how it will look to your clients. Click Preview at the top of the page, then check off the relevant boxes under the Settings dropdown to select the pricing information you want to show, and/or set up approval per line item.
When your estimate is ready to go, click on Share and you can use your saved message templates instead of writing a new email from scratch every time. Your clients can view the estimate and approve or decline it directly from their computer, phone, or tablet device.
You can read more about preview and share options for estimates in this article: How to Customize What Your Client Sees on Your Estimate
Print and Download
Alternatively, you can opt to print your estimate to share a physical copy, or download and attach it to an email. To do so, open the Actions menu at the top of the page and select Download as PDF or Print, depending on your desired action. You can also download a PDF using the download icon at the top of the page.
Edit Approved Estimate
Once an estimate is approved, you will need to reopen the estimate if changes are needed.
To start:
- Open up the estimate you would like to edit. Select the Actions dropdown, and find Reopen for Editing.
2. A popup will ask you to confirm you would like to reopen the estimate. Please note: When you do this, e-signatures will be removed, and you will need to reshare with your client.