Help · Getting started
Your first quote, from an empty budget to a PDF
Five steps from a new quote to the document you send to your client.
A quote is built across the editor tabs, and the cost summary stays on the right the whole time. Amounts update as you type, there is nothing to confirm.
1. Start a new quote
Click New in the top bar. If the current quote is not saved to the library, the app asks before starting over. A new quote takes its document language and currency from Settings → New quotes. For a single quote, change them on the Project information tab.
2. Add the project and client
On the Project information tab you enter the project name, client, shoot dates, deliverables and contacts. All of it goes on the first page of the document.
Enter your own details as producer once, in Settings → Your brand, under Default producer. Every new quote will have them from the start.
3. Price the job
On the Cost items tab, items are grouped into categories, from pre-production to post. Each row takes up to three numbers.
- Qty, for example two camera operators or three lenses
- Days / hours, for example three shoot days
- Rate per person or unit per day
The estimate is these numbers multiplied together, more in How an item is calculated. An empty Qty or Days field counts as one, so a flat fee is just the rate with a one in either column. A row with neither quantity nor days does not count at all.
Missing an item? Every category has + Add item. Above the budget you can switch the item set between Simple and Advanced, and save your own layout as a separate set. More in Simple, Advanced or a custom item set.
Enter your crew and equipment rates once, in Edit rates. Every new quote then fills them in for you, separately for each currency, see Crew rates and your own rate card.
Each category also has a Scope for the client field. The client sees it in the document instead of the item list, so it is a good place for one line about the scope, such as “two shoot days, crew of five”.
4. Check the summary
The Cost summary panel on the right shows category totals, the production fee, insurance, discount and the net total. What each markup is calculated on, and what the discount covers, is explained in Markups and discount.
5. Generate the PDF
Generate PDF opens the browser’s print dialog. Choose to save as a PDF file.
The document shows your client the category totals with their scope, without individual items, so your rates stay with you. Change the template and colours in Settings → PDF document, and the logo in Settings → Your brand. More in How your quote looks, template, colours and logo.
Where your quote is kept
Once you are signed in, the quote saves to your account as you work. You will find them all under File → Quote library. To keep a copy on disk, use File → Save to file.