What is the purpose of Optional Items and how to create one?

Optional Items in an Estimate provide flexibility by allowing the customer to choose whether they want certain items included in the final approval. This feature is particularly useful when offering additional services or components that may or may not be necessary for the customer, depending on their preferences or budget. Instead of committing to the item upfront, the customer can decide during the approval process if they would like to include the optional item, giving them more control over the scope and cost of the project.

To Create an Optional Item, navigate to the Estimates Module by going to the main Menu and selecting the Estimates module. If you want to create a new estimate, click the +Estimate button to begin. If you’re editing an existing estimate, find and select the estimate you wish to modify.

Click here to view more on how to create an Estimate

Once inside the estimate, locate the Items tab on the left panel. This is where you can see the list of items included in the estimate.

Next, find the specific line item you want to make optional. Click the preview button (represented by an eyeball icon) to the right of the item. A pop-up window will appear on the side.

At the bottom of this window, you will see a checkbox labelled “Make Item Optional.” Check this box to mark the item as optional. Once you’ve marked the item as optional, click Save to ensure the changes are applied.

Now, when the customer is reviewing the estimate for approval, they will see the optional items and can decide whether to include them in the final estimate. Please note that the optional item cost is not added to the Estimate, it shows it as a $0 dollar amount, but if the customers adds it to the Estimate, the cost of the optional item is added to the total value of the Estimate. This enhances flexibility, enabling customers to customize their estimates according to their needs and preferences.