Walkthrough and Estimates
How to capture job details on site and generate accurate estimates automatically.
How areas work — one area per room or zone
An area is one room, space, or zone on the job site. Add one card per area. For a bathroom remodel, that might be one area called 'Master Bath.' For a whole-house paint job, you would add one area per room — 'Living Room,' 'Kitchen,' 'Master Bedroom,' and so on. Keep areas distinct so the estimate line items are clearly organized by location. Your customer will see costs broken down by area if you choose the Grouped view on your proposal.
Work types — select all that apply, not just one
For each area, select every work type being done in that space. If a bathroom is getting new tile, new paint, and drywall repair, select all three. Each work type you select adds the relevant fields and measurements to that area card. You are not limited to one work type per area. Selecting all applicable work types ensures BidForeman can build a complete, accurate estimate for everything that needs to be done.
Measurements — add multiple measurements per area
Each area can have multiple measurements. Add as many as the job requires — square footage, linear feet, ceiling height, number of windows, and so on. All measurements you add will be included in the calculations for that area. Do not skip measurements or round aggressively — BidForeman uses these numbers to calculate material quantities and labor hours. Inaccurate measurements lead to inaccurate estimates.
Notes — describe exactly what needs done
The Notes field on each area card is where you describe the scope of work in your own words. Be specific: 'Remove existing tile, install new 12x24 porcelain tile, grout in charcoal' is much better than 'tile work.' BidForeman's AI uses your notes to write the professional scope of work descriptions in your proposal. The more detail you provide, the more accurate and impressive your proposal will be to the customer.
Drywall patches — use the Drywall Patches work type
For drywall patch work, select Drywall Patches as the work type for that area. You will be prompted to enter the number of patches and the size of each patch. Enter each patch separately if they vary in size. BidForeman calculates the labor and material cost for each patch based on size and your rates. This is more accurate than estimating drywall patch work as a flat lump sum.
How the estimate calculates — labor rates times quantities
BidForeman calculates your estimate by multiplying your labor rates by the quantities derived from your measurements. Materials are added automatically based on the work types and quantities — you do not need to manually price materials. The AI writes professional line item descriptions but does not calculate any numbers. All math is done by the platform. This means your estimates are always based on what you actually charge.
How to adjust rates — Pricing Settings panel
On the estimate page, tap the Pricing Settings button to open the rates panel. You can adjust any labor rate for this specific job without changing your default rates in Settings. This is useful for jobs with difficult access, premium finishes, or tight timelines that justify higher rates. Changes made in the Pricing Settings panel apply only to the current estimate. Your default rates in Settings remain unchanged.
Margin — what it means and how to set it
Margin is the percentage added on top of all costs to ensure your profitability. It covers overhead, profit, and any buffer for unexpected costs. A 20% margin on a $10,000 cost estimate results in a $12,500 proposal price. The margin slider is on the estimate page. Set it based on the complexity of the job, your current workload, and how competitive you need the price to be. A healthy margin for most trades is between 15% and 35%.
Still have questions?
Email support