What are Estimates?
Estimates are detailed cost proposals that your team creates and sends to a client for approval. They can include materials, equipment, and labor. Once a client approves an estimate, it converts into a job and materials can be transferred accordingly.
Video Tutorial
Step 1 - Enable Estimates in Ply
Estimates are not enabled by default. To turn it on:
Go to Settings → Workspace → Integration
Scroll to the bottom and toggle on Estimate Pipeline
Once enabled, you'll see two configuration options:
Default action when an estimate is synced:
Create a Draft PO - a draft Purchase Order is automatically created when an approved estimate syncs from HousecallPro
Create a Picklist from Stock - a picklist is generated from your existing stock. Note: this option only works if the items in the estimate are already in stock.
Stock Check Locations: Select which warehouse(s) Ply should look at when generating the picklist or PO.
After saving, a new Estimate Pipeline tab will appear under Procurement.
Step 2 - Create an Estimate in HousecallPro
From the HousecallPro homepage, click on Estimates
Click the + button to create a new one
Select the customer and set the estimated date for the work
Assign a team member
Add the materials you want to include
Important: Only materials are synced to Ply. Services will not be sent over.
Once all materials are added, save the estimate. Make sure to mark it as Approved before expecting it to appear in Ply. Estimates in any other status (Scheduled, On My Way, Finished) will not sync.
Step 3 - Sync the Estimate to Ply
In Ply, go to Procurement → Estimate Pipeline
If the estimate doesn't appear, click the Sync button on the right side to force a manual sync
You can also force a sync from Catalog → HousecallPro button (top right) → Sync Estimates
Once the estimate loads, you'll see the customer info, estimate number, and materials
Step 4 - Confirm the Estimate (PO or Picklist)
Once the estimate appears in Ply, you have two options:
Option A - Create a PO
Select the PO icon next to each material, then click Confirm. You'll be prompted to:
Select the location (warehouse, truck, or job)
Select the supplier
Set a needed-by date
A Draft PO will be created automatically. From there, handle it like any other PO - mark it as received, reconcile it to the job, and once reconciled, the materials will be reflected accordingly.
Option B - Create a Picklist
Select the Picklist option to pull stock that's already available at your selected location. Note: if the materials are not in stock, this option won't be available and you'll need to create a PO instead.
Key things to keep in mind
Estimates must be Approved in HousecallPro to sync to Ply
Services are not synced to Ply
Materials are only reflected in the job once the PO is received and reconciled or the picklist is marked as completed.
Use the Sync button in Estimate Pipeline or the Sync Estimates option under the HousecallPro button in Catalog to force a manual sync at any time
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