Estimates and catalog
Configure estimate numbering, defaults, and user access
Company administrators configure estimate defaults in Company Settings and grant either Estimate Admin or Estimate Read Only access. Creation requires manage access; read-only access does not permit editing or sending.
Before you begin
- You must be a company administrator to change company estimate settings.
- Decide the starting number, default terms, estimate types, and payment terms before users create records.
- Use role and project access together. Estimate permission does not automatically grant access to every project.
Company Settings → Estimates
Configure estimates
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Open Estimate settings
Open Company Settings, then select Customize for Estimates.
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Set numbering
Set Starting Estimate Number. JobBuddy uses that number or the next available number when higher numbers already exist.
Save the settings before creating a new estimate.
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Set company defaults
Review the default estimate terms, estimate types, and payment terms. These defaults give new estimates a starting point and can be adjusted where the editor allows.
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Choose approval follow-through
Review whether JobBuddy should create the configured work item when an estimate is approved. Confirm the intended Item Type before enabling that behavior.
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Assign user access
In Roles, choose Estimate Admin for users who must create and manage estimates, or Estimate Read Only for users who should only open permitted estimates.
Test the finished role with a non-admin user.
Choose the right estimate access
Company administrator
Company settings and estimate management.
Configure and manage. Use this broad access only for company administrators.
Estimate Admin
Create, edit, issue, send, and manage estimates within accessible project scope.
Manage estimates. This is the working permission for estimate staff.
Estimate Read Only
Open permitted existing estimates without management actions.
Review only. List or open access does not imply create, edit, or send access.
Troubleshooting
New Estimate is unavailable.
Confirm the user has Estimate Admin or company-administrator access and can access the intended project. Estimate Read Only is not creation permission.
The next estimate number conflicts.
Return to Estimate settings and choose an unused next number. Do not reuse an existing issued estimate number.
A user can open an estimate but cannot edit it.
Check for Estimate Read Only access and whether the current revision has already been issued. Issued revisions are locked.
What happens next
- New estimates begin with the saved company defaults.
- Users still see only the projects and estimates allowed by their combined access.
- Review numbering and terms whenever company document policy changes.