How do I create and send a proposal?

A proposal lets you send a client your scope, pricing, contract, and a place to sign and pay, all on one page. Here's how to build one and get it in front of your client.

1. Open the project you're creating the proposal for, and start a new proposal from there. You create one proposal per project.
2. A new draft opens with a set of default sections already in place, so you're not starting from a blank page.

You'll build the proposal using two tabs: Details and Sections.

Fill in the details:

The Details tab is where you set who the proposal is for and the money side of the deal:

• The customer and project the proposal is tied to.
• A deposit, if you want one up front. You can set it as a percentage or a flat amount for this deal.
• A discount, if you're offering one. Discounts apply to the full subtotal before tax.
• An expiration date, so the offer doesn't sit open forever.

Build your sections:

The Sections tab is where you shape what your client sees. You can turn sections on or off and reorder them to fit the job.

• Cover (splash): Introduces you and the project. You can hide it if you'd rather lead with something else.
• Line items: The services you're quoting. Add a new item to type in a one-off line, or add from catalog to pull in items you've already saved, with their price and label filled in.
• Optional add-ons: Extras your client can choose to include. Their price and label lock in at the moment you send, and your client can toggle them on or off before accepting, the total updates as they do.
• Contract: The terms your client signs.
• FAQ: Answers to common client questions.

Your changes are saved when you save the proposal, there's no automatic save yet, so save before you leave the editor.

Preview before you send:

Before sending, use Preview to see the proposal exactly as your client will. A banner reminds you you're previewing as the customer, and nothing you click in preview affects the real proposal. Exit preview when you're done.

Send it:

When the proposal is ready, save it and open the send options. You can deliver it three ways:

• Email — sends the proposal straight to your client's inbox.
• Text (SMS) — texts your client a link.
• Shareable link — copies a link you can paste anywhere.

All three open the same proposal, so use whichever your client is most likely to act on.

FAQ

Can I edit a proposal after I send it?
Yes, you can keep editing right up until your client accepts, declines, or you void it. If you edit a proposal your client is already viewing, they'll be prompted to refresh to the latest version before they can accept.

What if I send similar proposals all the time?
Clone an existing proposal into a new draft so you don't rebuild it from scratch. Open the proposal's menu and choose to clone it.

Do I have to include a deposit or discount?
No. Both are optional and set per deal.

Where do catalog items come from?
From your saved add-on catalog in your proposal settings. Setting those up first makes building proposals much faster.