How do I send a proposal so that the customer sees the final total amount and not the complete estimate breakdown?

How to Send a Proposal Showing Only the Final Total (Without the Full Estimate Breakdown)

Overview

In Contractor Foreman, you can control what level of detail your client sees when you send a proposal. Some clients prefer to view only the final total amount, while others may want to see a full breakdown of all line items.

If you want to send a proposal that displays only the total amount—without showing individual material, labor, or itemized details—you can do so by selecting the Lump Sum Total Only template before sending or viewing your Estimate as a PDF.

This article explains how to use that feature, along with important notes and best practices.

Steps to Send a Proposal Showing Only the Final Total

1. Open the Estimates Module

   • From the main Menu, select Estimates under the Financial section.

   • This will open the list of all Estimates created in your account.

     

2. Locate and Open the Desired Estimate

   • Use the search bar or filters to find the Estimate you want to send as a proposal.

   • Click the Estimate to open its details page.

   

3. Access the PDF View Options

   • Once inside the Estimate, click the 3-dot icon on the right and select View/Email PDF.

   

4. Choose the “Lump Sum Total Only” Template

   • After selecting “View PDF,” a new dropdown will appear with available Estimate templates.

   • From this dropdown, choose the Lump Sum Total Only template.

   • This template displays just the final total amount, omitting all line-item details from the Estimate.

   

5. Review and Send the Proposal

   • Review the generated PDF to confirm it shows only the total amount and all relevant company and client information.

   • Click Send to email the proposal directly to your client, or download the PDF for manual sharing.

Important Notes

• Template Selection: The “Lump Sum Total Only” template must be chosen before generating or sending the proposal; otherwise, the default detailed template will display all line items.

• Client Clarity: This format is ideal when clients only need to see the total cost, such as during early project discussions or fixed-bid scenarios.

• Internal Use: Even if you send a lump sum proposal to the client, your internal Estimate in Contractor Foreman will still retain the full itemized details for recordkeeping and analysis.

• Consistency: Make sure all team members follow the same process when sending proposals to avoid confusion or inconsistent client communications.

Best Practices

• Use Naming Conventions: When saving different Estimate versions, clearly label which one is “Lump Sum” to distinguish it from detailed versions.

• Preview Before Sending: Always preview the PDF before sending it to ensure only the total is visible.

• Client Expectations: Inform your client that the proposal is a summarized version and that a full breakdown can be provided upon request.

• Template Customization: If your company often uses lump sum proposals, consider setting the Lump Sum Total Only template as the default under your Estimate Template Settings.