The Estimate feature allows you to create a detailed estimate for a property, send it to your client by email, and track whether the estimate has been approved or requires follow-up.
Access Estimates
In the blue Main Menu at the top of ISN, select Inspections.
Select Estimate.
In the upper-right corner, select New Estimate.
Enter Property Details
In the Property section, enter the applicable property information, including:
Address
City and state
Square footage
Year built
Foundation type
Any other available property details
Add Services and Adjustments
In the Services section, select the individual services to include in the estimate. If applicable, you can select a service package instead.
Further down the page, use the adjustments option to modify the estimate total. For example, you can add a discount or another price adjustment.
At the bottom of the estimate, you can also enter a note for the client. This note will be included with the estimate they receive.
Add a Recipient
In the Send To section in the upper-right corner, select the Type and Name or Email to add field.
You can choose a recipient role, such as:
Client
Buyer's Agent
Seller's Agent
You can search for an existing contact in ISN or select Add without a record to enter a new recipient's first name, last name, email address, and mobile phone number.
Set the Estimate Expiration Date
The right side of the estimate displays a fee breakdown of the estimated charges.
To limit how long the estimate can be viewed online, enable Good Through and select a date. A calendar will open, allowing you to choose the expiration date.
After the selected date, the link sent to the recipient will no longer be available.
Preview and Send the Estimate
Before sending the estimate, select Preview Client View to see the estimate exactly as the recipient will see it.
When you are ready, select Send Estimate.
The recipient will receive an email that includes:
The property address
The estimate fee and total
Your client note, if one was added
A link to view the estimate online
Client Approval and Questions
When the recipient opens the estimate link, they can view the property information, fee breakdown, estimate total, and an option to approve the estimate.
If the recipient selects Approve, the estimate status in ISN updates to Approved. You can then proceed with scheduling the appointment.
Recipients can also select Ask a Question and submit a message. You will receive an email notification when a question is submitted. Select Open the Estimate from the notification to return to the estimate in ISN and review the client details for follow-up.
Track Estimate Statuses
The Estimate dashboard helps you track estimates throughout the process.
Common status views include:
Approved, Not Scheduled: The client approved the estimate, but no appointment has been scheduled.
Need Follow-up: The estimate requires your attention.
Waiting on Client: The estimate has been sent and is awaiting a client response.
Drafts: Estimates that were started but not completed or sent.
All: Displays all estimates.
To schedule an approved estimate, open the estimate marked Approved, Not Scheduled and select the option to schedule the previosly approved esimate-order.
One additional detail worth mentioning is that access to the Estimates feature can be restricted for inspector profiles or other users within your ISN account.
To manage access, navigate to Admin and select User Administration from the main menu. Locate the profile you want to update, select Actions, and then Edit. Scroll down to the Privileges section, where you will find a checkbox that allows you to enable or disable access to the Estimates feature for that profile.
