Detailed Quotes

Learn how to build a detailed quote in AroFlo

Updated on August 5th, 2024

Detailed quotes are designed for large-scale works that span a number of weeks. This type of quote allows you to break down work activities into takeoff sheets (such as stages), which can easily be converted to a project once the work has been awarded.

The key features of detailed quotes include:

  • A duration tool that assists in calculating the expected duration of the task
  • The ability to add allowances such as site allowances or living away from home
  • The ability to use different labor rates and allocate labor by hours or percentages.

 

Create a detailed quote

A detailed quote is created in the same manner as a 'simple' quote via the Create menu.

  1. Follow the instructions on Create a Quote up until Type of Quote
  2. Toggle the Quote Type to 'Detailed'.
  3. Edit the Task or Quote descriptions if needed.
  4. (Optional) set up a unique quote email address for the quote. See Unique Email Address
  5. Add Notes, Documents and Photos, Linked Tasks and/or Exclusions as appropriate.
  6. To create different sections or stages for your quote, click Add Takeoff Sheet as many times as you need and label each takeoff sheet for this quote.

    What is a Takeoff Sheet?

    A 'Takeoff Sheet' is used to break down a large job into specific part(s) or phases. For example, takeoff sheets could be the levels of a building (Basement, Level 1, Level 2) or the phases of a renovation such as foundations, external, internal, etc. When a detailed quote is converted to a project, the takeoff sheets are used to create the stages within the project.

     
     
  7. Click the folder icon located on the left side of the first takeoff sheet to open it -
  8. Add line items for parts or materials using one of the following methods:
    1. Add Line Item - manually enter ad hoc items.
    2. Multi-Search -  select items from inventory, current and previous quote history, and task worksheets.

      This Quote
      Select 'This Quote' to add items already on the current quote and duplicate them. See Import from this quote, below.

       
    3. Add Option Group - list various pricing options in a separate group on the quote.
    4. Bulk Import - import line items from a .CSV or .XLS file.
    5. Supplier Catalogues (requires configuration) - select items directly from a supported supplier's online catalog.
  9. Enter the total labor time associated with each line item into the Hrs field.
  10. Once all items and labor have been added, Save.

Information on Takeoff Headers

The headers at the top of each Takeoff Sheet contain information about the values of each one. Hover over the blue tooltip () to find out more, including calculations based on your takeoffs.

Takeoff Header Description
Total Material Cost Total cost of materials excluding markup (Qty x value).
Total Labour Cost Total cost of labor, excluding markup.
Total Labour Hours Total number of labor hours, excluding labor-type items.
Total Value Total value including material cost, labor cost and markup of line items, combined with quote level markups.
Profit Total value minus actual cost as a dollar value.
Gross Profit Margin Total value minus actual cost as a percentage.
 
 

Expanding/Collapsing takeoff sheets

If you collapse takeoff sheets , these will display as collapsed on your quote layout if using a table in your layout with Quote Screen Layout in the name. See Add or Edit a Table Element - Quote Tables for more information.

 
 

 

Import from this quote

If you want to duplicate a takeoff sheet or items within the same quote, use the 'This Quote' option from the Multi-Search. Using this method, you can duplicate a whole takeoff sheet and then change the quantity of items and/or add extra items to the takeoff if necessary.

You must save the quote first before adding any items from it.

 

1 - Click Multi-Search

Click Multi-Search > This Quote.

Which Multi-Search option?

To import the items into a takeoff, use the Multi-Search on that takeoff.

To import the items as a separate takeoff, scroll to the bottom of the takeoffs and use the Multi-Search there and edit the name of the takeoff if necessary.

 
 
 

2 - Click plus button

Click the (plus icon) to open the takeoffs/items from the current quote

 
 

3 - Add entries

Double-click entries from the list to add them to your takeoff, or a new takeoff, as mentioned above.

 
 
 

Import whole quote
To import all items currently on the quote, including takeoffs, make sure to use the Multi-Search > This Quote at the end of all the takeoffs and double-click the whole quote, as opposed to selecting takeoffs/items.

 

 

Import from quote history

Once you have a few quotes in the system, you can create quotes faster by importing individual takeoff sheets (including line items), or an entire detailed quote.

1 - Click Quote History

Click Multi-Search > Quote History (Detailed).

 
 

2 - Find quote

Use the search boxes at the top, or scroll to find the quote you need.

 
 

3a - Import quote

To import an entire quote, double-click the quote name.

 
 

3b - Import takeoff sheets

Alternatively, to import individual takeoff sheets (including line items), click the (plus icon) to expand the quote, then double-click the takeoff name.

 
 

4 - Save

Save.

 
 

 

Calculate the duration of the job

The Duration section is used to calculate how long the job will take based on the number of resources and total hours worked per week.

Breakdown of information

Field Description
Hrs/Week Enter the number of standard working hours per week.
Total Hrs Calculated total labor hours on the quote.
Resource No Enter the number of resources you have allocated towards the work.
Labour Days Calculated total hours on the quote divided into days.
Duration Days Calculated total days based on the total hours on the quote and the total number of resources.
Duration Weeks As above, displayed in weeks.
Duration Months As above, displayed in months.
 
 

 

Add allowances

Allowances are any additional fees or charges that are calculated based on either the quoted labor hours or duration of the job (e.g. Height and Site Allowances, Site Inspections).

 

Create a new allowance type

  1. Click Add Allowance.
  2. Enter the namedescription, and cost.
  3. Select the appropriate calculation method.

    Unit

    The calculation methods refer to the figures within the Duration table at the bottom of the detailed quote.
     
     
     
  4. Click Save.

 

Add an existing allowance

To add an existing allowance to this quote only:

  1. Click Add Allowance.
  2. Under Quote Rate, select the Add checkbox

    You can automate certain allowances to appear on future quotes by selecting the 'Standard' checkbox.

     
  3. Click Save.
  4. Click Quote to return to the quote worksheet.
  5. Select the appropriate Allowance Tax Code.
  6. Save Quote.
     

Use multiple labor charge rates

Detailed quotes allow you to allocate labor hours to different work types (charge-out rates) that may apply.

To add a Work Type to this quote only:

  1. Under Labour Break-up, Click Add Work Type.
  2. Adjust the Quote Rate as required.
  3. Select the Include on Quote checkbox.

    You can automate certain work types to appear on future quotes by selecting the 'Standard' checkbox.

     
  4. Click Save.

To allocate the total quote hours across different work types:

  1. Enter the estimated % Allocated against each work type that will apply to the duration of the task.

    Alternatively, you can allocate a quantity (Qty) of hours against each work type.

     
  2. Click Calculate to update the labor hours and value.
  3. Click Save.

If you choose to set work types against individual line items, the Labor Break-up section will not be available.

Show me

 
 
 

 

Mark-ups and profit margin

Detailed quotes can be marked up in the same manner as a simple quote. At the bottom of the quote screen, you can see greater detail on your cost mark-ups and final quoted values by clicking the More Detail button.

The Total Profit Margin automatically calculates the profit percentage, profit value and profit value per hour. This is the difference between actual cost and total sell:

Total Profit Margin
[Quote Total Ex] - [Actual Cost] / [Quote Total Ex] * 100
 

Why is the markup different to the margin?

The difference between markups and margins is based on accounting.

  • A markup shows how much more your selling price is than the amount the item costs you.
  • A margin shows the revenue you make after paying COGS.

Revenue

Revenue is the income you earn by selling your products and services

 
 

COGS

Cost of goods sold (COGS) includes the actual costs that go into making your products or service. Calculating COGS includes adding up materials, labor and expenses.

 
 

See a working example

You quote an extraction fan for $200 (Revenue). The fan costs you $150 in material and labor (COGS).

Your gross profit is Revenue - COGS. This is $200 - $150 = $50 Gross Profit.

The Markup is Gross Profit / COGS. This is $50 / $150 = 0.33. So x100 = 33%

The Margin is Gross Profit / Revenue. This is $50 / $200 = 0.25. So x100 = 25%

 
 
 
 

Once you've finished the quote, it is ready to issue to your customer using an appropriate quote layout. See Preview and Send a Quote. The quote status can then be updated to 'Pending Approval' so you can follow it up at a later date.

Alternatively, if you need to convert this detailed quote into a project, see Create a Project.

Other useful help pages: