Missing Toolkit: Estimates logo Missing Toolkit: Estimates

Estimates

Estimates are the core of Missing Toolkit: Estimates. An estimate represents a project or job that you're pricing for a client.

Overview

Each estimate contains:

  • A name and optional description to identify the project
  • Rows that represent line items or categories of work, which can be nested hierarchically
  • Columns that define the data fields you want to track (quantity, amount, dates, etc.)
  • One or more versions where the actual data lives as cells at the intersection of rows and columns

Creating an Estimate

From your dashboard or the estimates list, click the Create estimate dropdown. You have two options:

Manual Input

Choose Manual input to build an estimate from scratch. You'll provide:

  • Name (required) — something descriptive to identify the project
  • Template (optional) — select a saved template to start with pre-built rows and columns
  • QuickBooks Customer (optional) — associate the estimate with a QuickBooks customer if connected

If you select a template, you can choose which rows and columns to include.

Import from File

Choose Import from file (CSV, Excel) to create an estimate from a spreadsheet. Supported formats are .xlsx, .xls, and .csv (up to 10MB). After uploading, you'll configure:

  • Estimate name and currency
  • Row header column — which spreadsheet column contains your row names
  • Parent reference column (optional) — for creating hierarchical rows
  • Column configuration — set display names, types, and options for each column

Rows

Rows represent the individual items, tasks, or categories in your estimate. Rows can be nested to create a hierarchy — for example, a "Framing" parent row with "Labor" and "Materials" as children.

Columns

Columns define what data you track for each row. Each column has a type that determines the kind of data it holds. You can configure columns when creating from a template or importing from a file.

Cells

Cells are the intersection of a row and a column within a specific version. This is where your actual estimate data lives — quantities, amounts, dates, and other values.

Managing Estimates

Viewing Estimates

Your estimates are listed on the main estimates page. You can see key details at a glance, including the estimate name, when it was last updated, and summary totals.

Editing Estimate Details

Click on any estimate to open its detail page. From there you can edit the estimate name, description, and QuickBooks customer assignment by clicking the edit button.

Estimate Detail Page

The estimate detail page shows:

  • Estimate details — name, description, currency, owner, and QuickBooks info
  • Versions — all versions with their totals and actions (view, edit, push to QuickBooks, delete)
  • Rows — all rows with their parent/child relationships
  • Columns — all columns with their types

Deleting an Estimate

To delete an estimate, use the delete action from the estimates list. You'll be asked to confirm before the estimate is permanently removed.