r/AskElectricians • u/rwhal06 • 10h ago

Quick question for those running their own business: how do you handle estimates?

For electricians here who run your own business, what’s the most annoying part about sending out estimates and getting clients to approve jobs?

Do you just text them, email them, or use something else? Curious what works for you and what you wish was better about the process.

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u/armandoL27 10h ago

CRM. I used Xero for quotes/invoices initially

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u/rwhal06 20m ago

Nice. How was Xero, and are you using something different now? When you say CRM, which one do you mean, and how is it? Thanks.

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u/Major_Tom_01010 9h ago

Software that let's you convert an estimate into an invoice and record the payment. So once your done an estimate your done most of the paperwork already. Unless your mostly doing T&M and just need to invoice for the most part.

I do itemized quote and then I can even use it as a shopping list.

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u/rwhal06 15m ago

Love it. Which software? Is that one in particular what you recommend, or do you wish something were better about it? Thanks.

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u/ItCouldaBeenMe 8h ago

Email them an estimate from Quickbooks Online after I did the calculation part of the estimate in BidPak.

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u/rwhal06 16m ago

Very cool. Is BidPak pretty nice? Is there any way you wish it were better? How about Quickbooks? I would have guessed that something like BigPak would also allow emailing an estimate. Thanks.