How do I submit an Estimate for approval?

How to Submit an Estimate for Approval

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Overview

In Contractor Foreman, the Estimate Approval process allows you to ensure accuracy and maintain oversight before sending an Estimate to a client. This workflow is especially useful for companies that require managerial or financial approval before finalizing proposals.

Submitting an Estimate for approval ensures that it’s reviewed and authorized internally before being shared externally. This article explains the full process—from creating or reviewing an Estimate, to submitting it, and tracking its approval status.

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Prerequisites

Before submitting an Estimate for approval, make sure that:

• The Estimate is complete and reviewed internally for accuracy.

• All line items, totals, and attachments are correct.

• You have the appropriate user permissions to submit an Estimate for approval (if you do not see this option, contact your system administrator).

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Step-by-Step: Submitting an Estimate for Approval

1. Open the Estimates Module

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

• This opens the Estimates List View, where all your Estimates are displayed.

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2. Locate the Estimate You Want to Submit

• Use the Search Bar or available filters (such as Status, Client, or Project) to find the Estimate you wish to submit.

• Click on the Estimate to open its detailed view.

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3. Review the Estimate Details

Before submitting, verify the following details to avoid rejections or revisions:

• Client Name and Project are correctly assigned.

• Estimate Number and Description follow your company’s naming conventions.

• Line Items and Pricing are accurate.

• Attachments (such as drawings or images) are correctly linked and enabled for sharing if needed.

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4. Open the Actions Menu

• At the top of the screen, select the hourglass icon to move it to Pending Approval.

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5. Confirm Submission

• A confirmation prompt will appear asking if you want to submit the Estimate for approval.

• Click Yes or Confirm to proceed.

• Once submitted, the Estimate’s status will change to Pending Approval.

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6. Notify the Approver (if applicable)

Depending on your company’s workflow, the designated Approver (such as a manager, project lead, or finance team member) will receive a notification or email alert that the Estimate is awaiting review.

They can then review, approve, or return the Estimate for revision directly within Contractor Foreman.

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Tracking the Approval Status

Once submitted, you can track the Estimate’s progress in the Status column within the Estimates list view. The main statuses include:

• Draft: Estimate is being created or edited.

• Pending Approval: Submitted and waiting for internal review.

• Approved: Estimate has been reviewed and cleared for client delivery.

• Returned for Revision: Needs adjustments before resubmission.

  

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Important Notes

• Permissions: Only users with approval permissions can finalize or reject an Estimate.

• Revisions: If an Estimate is returned, you can edit it and resubmit following the same process.

• Notifications: Approvers and submitters may receive automatic email alerts, depending on your company settings.

• Audit Trail: All approval actions are logged within the Estimate’s activity history for reference and accountability.

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Best Practices

 

• Double-check all calculations and client details before submitting to reduce turnaround time.

• Attach supporting documents (drawings, material quotes, etc.) for easier approval.

• Use clear descriptions for each Estimate so approvers can quickly identify what they’re reviewing.

• Follow up with approvers if an Estimate remains pending for an extended period.

 

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