How Estimates and Quotes Work in DialCloud

For many home service businesses, the path from phone call to paid job includes an estimate step. The customer calls, describes the problem, a technician visits to assess, and then the business sends a quote. DialCloud's estimate system digitizes the last step: create a line-item estimate in the dashboard, send it to the customer via SMS, and they can approve it with a single tap on their phone. No more printing estimates, mailing them, or chasing customers for a decision.

Each estimate includes line items with descriptions, quantities, and unit prices. You can add labor, materials, and any applicable fees as separate line items. The estimate total calculates automatically. When you send the estimate via SMS, the customer receives a link to a mobile-friendly page showing the itemized breakdown. They can approve with one tap, and you receive an instant notification. The approval is timestamped and stored as a digital record.

The most powerful feature is the estimate-to-appointment conversion. Once a customer approves an estimate, you can convert it to a scheduled appointment with one click. The appointment is pre-populated with the customer's information, service details, and the approved estimate amount. The customer receives a booking confirmation SMS, and the job appears on your dispatch board. This streamlined flow (call, estimate, approval, booking) reduces the time from inquiry to scheduled job from days to hours.