Common quote questions
Can I duplicate a quote?
Yes. Open its three-dot menu and choose Duplicate to open an unsaved copy. Choose the property you want, including a different customer’s property, then select Save to create the draft. See Duplicate a quote.
Can I accept a quote from the back office?
Not directly. Quotes are accepted through a signature. If the customer approved outside Essential, open View Sent Quote and sign it with a note such as "Approved via Email" so the approval is recorded in Essential.
How do quote discounts work?
A quote discount applies to the quote total.
If you need to show a discount for one item, add a dollar-amount discount and name it clearly so the customer can tell which item it applies to.
How do I add HST or sales tax to a quote?
Tax depends on your quote and invoicing setup. Check Settings > Quotes & Invoices > Sales Tax for tax and Stripe Tax configuration, and make sure the quote has the right customer, property, and address.
If the tax rate is missing even though setup looks correct, contact Essential through the Talk to a human tab with the quote, address, and expected tax rate.
Are quote emails sent immediately?
Yes. When you click Send on a quote, Essential sends the first quote email immediately. Automated outreach can send follow-up reminders later if the customer has not responded.
If a customer did not receive the quote, confirm the email address and ask them to check spam. Then use the quote's resend or support path as needed.
What happens when a quote expires?
The customer can no longer open or sign it, it drops out of the Customer Portal's Action Required list, and its automatic reminders stop for good — the sequence is closed, not paused. Open the quote and select Reactivate to give the existing link a new validity period. Reactivating does not email anyone by itself and does not restart the reminders; use Resend for that, which starts a fresh sequence from the beginning.
Can AI choose inventory items for a quote?
AI quote drafting can use your items when you prompt it clearly. Include the service, parts, quantities, and any inventory item names you expect it to use, then review the draft before sending.
Where to find it: Quote page, Settings > Quotes & Invoices > Quotes, Settings > Quotes & Invoices > Sales Tax, and Essential Assistant > Talk to a human
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