7. Common Workflows
This section walks through realistic scenarios that show how the Quote app is used end-to-end.
7.1 Sending an Initial Client Bid
Trigger: An estimate is fully priced and ready to go to the client for approval.
Action: The estimator opens the Quote app in Estimate view and works through Commercials, Design and Options to shape the document.
Detail: They write the Scope of Work, Inclusions and Exclusions, choose Section or Full Schedule under Design depending on how much detail the client should see, and switch on Terms and Conditions.
Outcome: They check the result in PDF view, attach the client from the Contact List, and either export the PDF to send manually or share it directly to the attached contact.
7.2 Issuing a Progress Payment Claim
Trigger: A stage of work is complete and a progress claim is due.
Action: The quantity surveyor switches the Quote app to Job Cost view, which changes the document title to the relevant claim, for example “Progress Payment 3”.
Detail: They enable Current Claim and, if the client wants a running total, Progress claim summary under Design, then re-check the Standard Summary settings, since a claim may need different tax or retention handling than the original bid.
Outcome: The claim is reviewed in PDF view and exported or shared to the client the same way as an initial bid.
7.3 Reformatting a Quote for a Cost-Conscious Client
Trigger: A client has asked for a simple, single-figure quote rather than a fully itemised schedule.
Action: The estimator opens Design and switches from Section or Full Schedule to Lump Sum.
Detail: They also switch off Show Resources if it was previously enabled, so no underlying material or labour breakdown is exposed.
Outcome: The client receives a one-line total instead of a detailed schedule, while the underlying priced estimate is unchanged.
7.4 Adding a New Client Contact While Building a Quote
Trigger: A quote is ready to send but the client contact isn’t in Methvin yet.
Action: The estimator clicks Clients (or the client icon in the header) to open the Contact List.
Detail: They click Add Contact, enter the new contact’s job title, name, company and email, and then tick that contact to attach them to the quote.
Outcome: The quote header updates with the new client’s details, and the contact is available for future quotes without re-entering it.
7.5 Adjusting Table Columns for a Wide Pricing Schedule
Trigger: A Full Schedule quote with several custom columns is running off the edge of the printed page.
Action: The estimator opens Table Columns and reviews each column’s width percentage.
Detail: They narrow the Item and Unit columns, let Description continue to take the remaining space automatically, and switch on Landscape in Options.
Outcome: The pricing table now fits cleanly on the page in the PDF preview, without any column being cut off.
7.6 Removing Details and Columns Before Sending
Trigger: A quote is ready to go, but the client should not see the rate columns or the estimator’s personal email address.
Action: The estimator clicks Edit Content in the Actions panel.
Detail: They untick the email address in the header and the unneeded columns, such as Gross Rate, leave Item, Description, Quantity, Unit and Gross Amount ticked, adjust the column widths so the table still fills the page, and click Done Editing.
Outcome: The quote shows only the details and columns the client needs, and the estimator confirms the result in PDF view before exporting or sharing.
7.7 Changing the Look of the BOQ
Trigger: The coloured, bold section rows in the pricing table look too heavy for a particular client.
Action: The estimator clicks Preferences in the Actions panel and stays on the Common tab.
Detail: They change Style Presets from Preference 1 to Preference 2, which uses coloured text only with no backgrounds, adjust any heading level colour with the c swatch, and click Update.
Outcome: The section rows in the pricing table follow the new styling, and the estimator checks the result in PDF view before sending.