How do I update an Estimate if its status is not set to Bidding?

How to Update an Estimate That Is Not in Bidding

Overview

In Contractor Foreman, Estimates can exist in several different statuses such as Draft, Bidding, Approved, or Rejected. Depending on the current status, editing options may be restricted to prevent changes after approval or submission.

If you need to make edits to an Estimate that is not currently in the Bidding status, you can temporarily switch its status to Bidding or Draft to unlock editing capabilities. This article explains how to do that step by step.

Step-by-Step Instructions

1. Open the Estimates Module

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

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

2. Locate the Estimate You Want to Update

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

• Click on the Estimate to open its details page.

3. Review the Current Estimate Status

• At the top of the Estimate page, you will see the current status (for example, Approved, Sent, or Declined).

• If the Estimate is not in Draft or Bidding, editing will be restricted.

4. Change the Estimate Status

• To make edits, click directly on the Status field at the top of the Estimate.

• From the dropdown menu, select either Bidding or Draft.

• Once you select one of these editable statuses, the Estimate will become unlocked for editing.

5. Edit the Estimate

• Make any necessary changes such as updating line items, pricing, client details, or attachments.

6. Return to the Appropriate Status (Optional)

• Once your edits are complete, you can return the Estimate to its original status (such as Approved or Pending Approval) if required.

• To do this, simply click the Status field again and select the desired option.

Important Notes

• Editing Restrictions: Estimates that are Approved or Sent are locked to maintain data integrity. You must change them to Bidding or Draft before editing.

• Permissions: Some users may not have permission to change Estimate statuses. If you do not see the option, contact your system administrator.

• Audit Trail: Any status changes or edits are logged in the Estimate’s activity history for accountability and tracking.

• Impact on Linked Documents: If the Estimate is already linked to a Proposal or Project, confirm with your team before editing to ensure consistency across records.

Best Practices

• Always duplicate an Estimate before making major revisions to preserve the original version.

• Communicate with approvers or project leads before changing the status of an active Estimate.

• Use clear naming conventions or notes when revising an Estimate so other users know why it was updated.

• If frequent edits are needed, keep the Estimate in Bidding status until final approval is secured.