Walkthrough and Estimates
How to capture job details on site and generate accurate estimates automatically.
How the job walkthrough works
The walkthrough is how BidForeman collects the information needed to build your estimate. You add one card per room or area on the job. For each area you select the work types being done — painting, flooring, drywall, cabinetry, and so on. Then you enter the measurements for that space. BidForeman calculates quantities, waste factors, and material needs automatically. You add notes about the existing conditions, customer preferences, and anything that affects scope. When the walkthrough is complete, your estimate is generated from the data you entered.
Trade-specific fields explained
BidForeman shows different fields depending on your trade. A general contractor sees fields for framing, drywall, cabinetry, countertops, flooring, painting, and more. A roofer sees fields for roof type, squares, decking condition, and gutters. A landscaper sees fields for lawn area, material type, and treatment details. You only ever see fields that are relevant to your work. This keeps the walkthrough fast and focused.
How estimates are calculated
BidForeman calculates all quantities and costs from your labor rates and the measurements you enter during the walkthrough. The AI writes professional descriptions for each line item — it does not calculate any numbers. All math is done by the platform using your rates from Settings. This means your estimates are always based on what you actually charge, not on generic market rates. Update your labor rates in Settings anytime to keep your estimates accurate.
Editing labor rates per job
Your default labor rates are set in Settings and apply to every job. If a specific job requires different rates — a difficult access site, premium materials, or a rush job — you can note this in the area notes during the walkthrough. The AI will reflect this in the proposal scope of work. Full per-job rate overrides are on the product roadmap.
Adding photos and notes
Each area card in the walkthrough has a Before Photos section at the bottom. Tap the photo area to upload photos from your phone or desktop. Photos are saved to the job record and used for your internal documentation. The Framing Observation section requires a photo if you select Minor Concerns or Significant Concerns — this protects you and documents site conditions before work begins. Area notes are where you describe the work in detail. The smarter your notes, the better your proposal scope of work will be.
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