customers want estimates e-mailed

I can attest. I've had a few suggestions that I've griped with them about and every once in a while, bam- it's done.

The 3 next big ones I want to see are
1- ability to duplicate an estimate to send updates to clients, but still retain the original
2- When creating a job, the ability to select the few items the clients want to do, and create the job with just those few items. I could send an estimate with 20 items, the client just wants 2 of them done, and then I have to tediously delete 18 items. ew
3- AN iPHONE APP!!! Navigating the tablet interface is tedious, and the mobile interface has some drawbacks that for me, render it useless.

Regardless- I'm happy with jobber and am not considering switching anytime soon.
 
Nick,

If you download Google Chrome on your iPhone or iPad the interface is way smoother, almost app like . Smooth enough for me to feel comfortable doing simple bids right in the field.
I want the ability to time stamp jobs that are due for renewal without having to enter it into the calendar. This would help PHC a ton when it comes to renewals that can go 2-3 years out.

I also want to duplicate the estimate.

The other thing that needs improvement is a search function for job types. When i was going through all of my renewals i wasn't able to search all PHC. You can create tags for customer data that denote a PHC client but going through 600 clients is a pain in the rear.

Aslo a category function would be nice. I want to have a category for pruning with a separate drop box for Structure, Ornamental etc etc. Right now I have like 25 different services called pruning and if this is going to work off of a tablet in the field having a drop box with broader categories will help narrow down things faster.
 
For all you guys using these programs, are you typing up an estimate onsite or just taking notes and sending an estimate out that evening?
 
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For all you guys using these programs, are you typing up an estimate onsite or just taking notes and sending an estimate out that evening?

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I wondered about that as well. How are you guys "selling" the proposal you write up if its email to the client? Its nice to meet the client, look at the property with them, then write up the proposal and review it, in person, with them. Just trying to figure out how you would incorporate an email proposal into the selling process.
I have messed around with Jobber and think the program is pretty good. However, is their anyway to incorporate a map into the proposal? I like to map out all work being proposed so the client and crew could see where the trees are located.
 
I scratch notes in a paper note pad at the site, quote a price and then email the quote as a word attachment.
 
I write all my notes on the ipad so i can access them via cloud. You will never lose your notes again and its nice to be able reference them anywhere you have internet.
 
If I have the time to make the estimate and I have cell reception, I'll make the quote in the truck on the phone or iPad before driving to the next appt. If I don't have the time or reception, I'll write shorthand notes in the Notes app (backed up to iCloud as Michael said) and then open them up on the computer when I get home that night.

Right now you can add attachments (like jpgs for example) to clients, but there isn't a built in map-making component to Jobber.
 
I have an OLD copy of 3D Home Architect Deluxe which also include landscape components (lots of tree types, swing sets, etc). My copy is from 2002 and still would "not be bad" for what you want to have. I have not used it in years, but threw this drawing together in a couple of minutes and printed it to PDF. Take a look at the attachment (sorry there is so much sky in the picture).

Here is a search on Amazon which has tons of reasonably priced packages:

http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_0...andscape+design

Hope this helps.
-Michael
 

Attachments

All I want is an overhead view where I can sketch out the outline of the property, the street, the house, pool, and trees. I've gone through dozens of iPhone and iPad apps and can't find anything that does that.
 
Nick,

It took me 6 minutes to sketch this drawing from scratch:

-House with 2 car garage
-6' fence around the perimeter
-Flowering Dogwood tree
-Maple tree
-6 shrubs
-Barbecue
-Patio table and chairs

This was on my desktop. Not sure what is supported on Ipad's...
 

Attachments

Nick,

from a quick scan on the Internet, I do not see anything for iPad or iPhone. You may need to pick up a notebook for yourself to do this. But, if you did, there are plenty of apps to choose from...

-Michael
 
I'm with Nick. Just want something with an overhead view that I can scratch together. Nothings too fancy like the cad program. I have looked, but will keep looking.
I guess there is always paintbrush.
 
If you only want to produce is a sketch, than you really are not gaining much by using an Ipad or computer. You might be better off to just use a piece of paper.

Most HO Landscaping CAD programs are fairly simple to use and are mostly "drag and drop". However, the benefits you gain from them are:

1- you get drawings to 'scale' - IOW, a maple tree will be drawn to its actual size
2- you can move things around
3- you can view the scene from different angles to get better perspective
4- you could also draw selective objects that only display when you want them, such as landing zone perimeters, bucket truck, etc.
5- you could show before and after printouts

-Michael
 
The iPad is just as good as a piece of paper and data is stored and backed up. Plus you can generate a pdf to attach to a work order. I use sketchbooks to make rough layouts and attach the files so they can be accessed by crew members mobile in the field.

Im tooling around with the Map Centrix program and it looks pretty cool. The demo is set up already I imagine for the creators business and it would take some tweaking to make it work for us. It is unwieldy and I don't think it would be easy to operate via iPad as it is not easy to operate via laptop yet. It looks as though you have to create a file for every single tree to create quotes to work with. If this could be dumbed down a bit I would like it better. Not every single client needs a detailed property analysis, nor can they afford it.
 
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