The Estimate App's Preferences screen can be accessed from your dashboard by clicking on the vertical ellipsis [
] on your Estimates App and selecting Preferences.
It is broken up into three sections.
Note: When these dropdowns are blank, then the defaults are used.
General
When an estimate is created, you are given the option to print or email it to the customer or lead it's been assigned to.
Activity Type for Emailed Estimates: When an email is sent to the customer via the Email button, an activity is created. The activity type is set to this dropdown.
Email Template: Email Template used when clicking the Email button on the estimate, which sends an email to the customer, as long as the estimate doesn't require client approval or a deposit. To edit this template, use the Send Email App and select Edit Templates.
Print Template: When the Print button is clicked on the estimate, a PDF file will be created and will use the estimate template chosen here.
SMS Notification Template: This is the template used for the SMS message that can be sent out from the transaction. To see a preview of what it will look like, click the Preview button. Note: Do not change
Company.CompanyNamenorUrlforPortal. Those will be replaced by your company name and a link to the customer's portal.
To edit an estimate template, you need to use Method's Web Report Designer tool and requires knowledge on how to use this tool. To get started, first copy a transaction print template.
Approvals
Checking Enable Approvals
will allow your customers to approve and e-sign estimates via their customer portal. This option is disabled by default.
Clicking Advanced Settings will display the following default email templates:
Email Template for Approvals: Email Template to be used when sending an email to the customer to inform them an estimate requires their approval. To edit this template, use the Send Email App and select Edit Templates.
Email Template for Estimate Accepance: Template for the email sent to the Method User assigned to the customer when the customer accepts an estimate. To edit this template, use the Send Email App and select Edit Templates.
Email Template for Estimate Rejection: Template for the email sent to the Method User assigned to the customer when the customer rejects an estimate. To edit this template, use the Send Email App and select Edit Templates.
Deposits
Checking Enable Depositswill allow you to add a deposit to an estimate. This deposit will show on your customer's customer portal, which they can pay online. This option is disabled by default.
NOTE: Enabling Deposits will also enable Approvals.
Clicking Advanced Settings will display the following default email templates:
Deposit Item: Set the item that will be used on sales receipts and invoices when a user pays a deposit. For accounting purposes, careful selection is crucial to ensure accurate financial records. A deposit must be an item that is tied to an Account with type liability. For more information, please consult QuickBooks article "Manage upfront deposits or retainers".
Email Template for Estimates with Deposit: Email template used when sending an estimate to a client that requires a deposit. To edit this template, use the Send Email App and select Edit Templates.
Email Template for Estimate Rejection: Email template used when sending a client a confirmation email for paying a deposit. To edit this template, use the Send Email App and select Edit Templates.