Question 1

Creating an estimate

Accepted Answer

Once a lead comes in, it has to be estimated properly before it becomes a workorder. An estimate is based on multiple factors like the type of service(s) ordered, the equipment needed, the crew involved etc.

To proceed to the estimate, first search for the lead - either through the live search, or the leads list/ leads map:

Next, click on the "leaf" icon in the Action column:

Visualizing the location for the work is an optional feature, but it may be a good help for the crew on site. If you're up to it, click to expand the Project Scheme section:

Mark the location of the work on the map. Click on Create Screen to add the specifications for the location:

Drag and drop the icons to illustrate the place:

| Tip: double-click the icon to delete it from the scheme. To learn how to add own icons, see the article here: [Adding and managing the items for the project scheme](https://arbostar.crisp.help/en/article/adding-and-managing-the-items-for-the-project

Question 2

Adding and managing the items for the project scheme

Accepted Answer

The project scheme section on the estimate page helps visualize the site for the crew. This is especially useful for complex workorders with several services involved and/or locations with multiple trees. Besides, you can mark potentially dangerous places on the site for the crew to avoid them.

To leave the marks on the project scheme, first upload the item icons. These are small images which will help you and the crew to distinguish the services and locate the tree. They can be uploaded in the Estimates Scheme Items section:

To delete an existing icon from the list, click on the basket here:

To see the items in action, create a project scheme on the estimate page.

Question 3

How the estimate price is calculated

Accepted Answer

The cost of an estimate is calculated automatically based on the services and equipment you've selected. To ensure that the calculation is correct and consistent throughout all estimates, you should specify the following:

price per hour for different employee roles (e.g. groundsman/ climber etc);
price per hour for the equipment and vehicles (e.g. pickup truck, wood chipper etc);
the service markup.

To set the hourly rate for an employee role, expand the Personnel section, then click on HR and press Employee Roles:

Click on the "pencil" icon to call for a pop-up window where you'll be able to add the rate:

To set the price for the equipment, navigate to the Estimates section and press here:

Click on the "pencil" icon:

Set the price per hour in the window that appears:

Finally, set the service markup in the **Estimates Services **section:

Click on the icon here to adjust the markup percentage:

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Question 4

Adding a project for a new client

Accepted Answer

While you are online with a new client, create a project and fill it in with the relevant details right through the ArboStar interface. Basically, you'll be adding a new contact to your system as well as the details of the task - all on one page!

To achieve that, click on **Add Client **right in your account:

Or, hover over the Clients section of the sidebar and click to expand it:

Click on Clients List, then on "plus" icon in the right corner:

A new window will appear, allowing you to insert all known details about the client and the project you are about to undertake. Let's take a closer look on what information is required here.

Add client's primary details in the Profile box:

Set client address in the relevant box as well. Be as precise as possible to ensure smoother logistics further on.

Add client`s contact details in the section here:

| Tip: click on the green

Question 5

Live search

Accepted Answer

Search for a client, estimate, invoice from anywhere on the site with the help of the live search feature. It allows you to perform a search even with the smallest bits of information at hand - first letters of a name, a house number etc.

Live search is available in the header of each page of the tool. To see it work, start typing something in the field:

You'll get a dropdown with the relevant results - all clickable.

|| Note: if nothing comes up, check the spelling or use another search word.

Question 6

Updating the status of an estimate

Accepted Answer

Lead an estimate through the sales funnel by updating its status according to the stage it's on. By default, a newly created estimate is in the "New" status. This can be changed to "Sent for approval", "Confirmed", "Expired" etc.

To achieve that, first locate the estimate in question:

with the help of the live search;
from the Estimates list on the sidebar;
on the client's profile.

Then, click on the "eye" icon to view the estimate page:

Once on it, click on the Update Status button:

Select a new status from the drop-down list:

| Tip: to create and manage estimate statuses, check out the article here: Managing estimate statuses

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