How do I share files attached to the Estimate with the Customer or Lead?

How to Share Files Attached to an Estimate with a Customer or Lead

Overview

In Contractor Foreman, you can attach files—such as images, blueprints, or supporting documents—to your Estimates. By default, these files remain internal and are not visible to clients. However, if you want to share these attachments with a Customer or Lead, you can easily enable them to appear in the Estimate PDF.

This article explains how to display attached files in your Estimate PDF, allowing you to include visuals or documents when sending a proposal or quote to your client.

Steps to Share Attached Files in an Estimate

1. Open the Estimates Module

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

   • Locate the Estimate that contains the files you want to share.

   

2. Select and Edit the Estimate

   • Click on an Estimate to open its details page

     

3. Access the Files Tab

   • Select the Files tab.

   • You will see a list or gallery of all files attached to that Estimate.

   

4. Enable File Sharing

   • Under each attached image or file, locate the Person icon.

   • To make a file visible, simply click the Person icon to toggle it.

   • 

Viewing and Sending the Estimate

• Once your files are enabled for sharing, open the Actions dropdown and select View PDF.

• Review the PDF to confirm that the attachments appear correctly at the bottom of the Estimate.

• You can now email the PDF directly to your Customer or Lead, or download it for manual sharing.

Important Notes

• Internal vs. External Files: Only files with the blue Person icon enabled will be visible to clients. All other attachments remain internal.

• File Types Supported: You can attach and share common file types such as images (JPG, PNG), PDFs, and certain document formats.

• Privacy Tip: Review files before enabling them to ensure no internal notes or private data are shared unintentionally.

• Permissions: Depending on your company’s permission settings, only users with the appropriate access level may edit Estimates or toggle file visibility.

Best Practices

• Use file names that clearly describe the content (e.g., “Kitchen_Rendering.jpg” or “Permit_Document.pdf”) for clarity in client communications.

• When sending multiple attachments, consider enabling only the most relevant visuals or supporting documents to keep the proposal concise.

• Always preview the PDF before sending it to verify that the attachments display correctly and professionally.

• If you frequently attach images to Estimates, consider setting up a consistent internal process for reviewing and approving attachments before they’re shared externally.