> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://learn.withessential.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://learn.withessential.com/revenue/quotes/create-a-quote.md). # Create a quote A quote always belongs to a customer and one of their properties. While the quote is a draft you can still move it to another property, including one that belongs to a different customer (see [Change the property on a draft quote](#change-the-property-on-a-draft-quote)). ## Before you start * The customer and property must already exist. * A standard quote needs at least one line item, terms and conditions, and a total that is not negative before you can save it. A quote that uses a document template configured without items or pricing needs no lines or total, but still needs terms and conditions. ## Create the quote 1. Open the Quotes page. 2. Click New Quote in the top right. 3. Choose the customer and property. 4. Choose a template if one applies, or start from scratch. 5. Add line items, terms and conditions, and any discount or attachment you need. For a quote that uses a document template configured without items or pricing, the item and pricing fields are hidden as soon as that document template is selected; review its description, terms, custom fields, and attachments instead. The Description field supports rich text — bold, italics, underline, headings, lists, divider lines, and tables (see [Format descriptions and terms with rich text](/revenue/quotes/format-descriptions-and-terms-with-rich-text.md)). 6. If your business keeps more than one quote document template, pick the design for this quote in the **Template** dropdown; the preview updates to match. With a single template there is no dropdown — the quote uses it automatically (see [Choose and customize your quote document template](/administration/settings/choose-and-customize-your-quote-document-template.md)). 7. Review **Quote validity (days)**. It starts with your business default, but you can change it for this quote. 8. Use the preview on the right to check what the customer will see. The **Context** tab beside it shows the billing details, property contacts, and customer facts — and, on a quote started from a deficiency task, that task's findings (see [See property, customer, and deficiency context while quoting or invoicing](/revenue/quotes/see-context-while-quoting-or-invoicing.md)). 9. Save the quote. Saving assigns the quote number automatically and creates the quote in Draft. You can keep editing while it is in Draft, then send it for signature when it is ready. If you leave before saving, Essential asks you to confirm, and keeps a copy of the new quote in your browser. The next time you click **New Quote**, select **Restore** to pick up where you left off (see [Restore an unsaved quote or invoice](/revenue/quotes/restore-an-unsaved-quote-or-invoice.md)). You can also start a quote from the New shortcut at the top of any page. When you start from a customer, property, contact, or job page, Essential carries that context into the quote when it applies, so the customer, property, or related job may already be filled in. > **Where to find it:** Quotes page, New Quote button (top right) ## Change the property on a draft quote While a quote is in Draft, you can move it to a different property, including a property that belongs to another customer. 1. Open the draft quote. 2. In **Property**, search for and choose the new property. 3. Review the preview, then select **Save**. When you change the property: * The preview, billing details, and **Context** tab switch to the new property and its customer. * Sales tax is recalculated for the new address. The prices already on the quote don't change; items you add afterwards use the new customer's or property's custom pricing. * If your business captures PO numbers, a default PO number that came from the old property's or customer's billing settings is replaced by the new one's default. A PO number you typed yourself stays. * Jobs listed under **Related Records**, including the job or task the quote was started from, are removed because they belong to the old property. Until you save, **Related Records** can't be changed; after you save, link jobs on the new property if you need to. * When you send the quote, the recipients offered are the new customer's contacts. * The change is recorded on the quote's timeline. If you pick a different property and then go back to the original one before saving, the quote's saved linked jobs, PO number, and sales tax come back. A quote that has been sent (Unsigned), signed, or expired keeps its property. To move an Unsigned or Expired quote, choose **Revert to Draft** from the ... menu first. A quote that an invoice was created from always stays on that invoice's property. ## Related guides * [Add a line item to a quote](/revenue/quotes/add-a-line-item-to-a-quote.md) * [Restore an unsaved quote or invoice](/revenue/quotes/restore-an-unsaved-quote-or-invoice.md) * [Apply a discount to a quote](/revenue/quotes/apply-a-discount-to-a-quote.md) * [Attach a file to a quote](/revenue/quotes/attach-a-file-to-a-quote.md) * [Custom pricing on quote line items](/revenue/quotes/custom-pricing-on-quote-line-items.md) * [Set quote validity and reactivate an expired quote](/revenue/quotes/set-quote-validity-and-reactivate-an-expired-quote.md) * [Filter quotes by status](/revenue/quotes/filter-quotes-by-status.md) * [Feature availability and setup](/getting-started/getting-started/feature-availability-and-setup.md) --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. 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