Want to let your customers know approximately how much a project’s going to cost them? If so, you need to know the ins and outs of creating a business estimate.
但当然，你是一个忙碌的企业主。你宁愿创造估计并产生资金，而不是阅读它们。这就是为什么我们把这个关于估计的快速事实列表放在一起。
Get started by learning what is an estimate; then, dive into our fast facts.
什么是估计？
在进入我们闪电的商业估算事实之前，让我们谈谈业务中的估计值。
A business estimate is a document detailing how much you plan on charging a customer for a good or service. It breaks down costs line by line (e.g., each cost for providing drywall installation) so customers know where the total is coming from.
创建估计值有助于您概述项目的范围，您将花费多少您（在时间和金钱中），以及您将获得多少。
In short, this document estimates thetime, money, materials, and laborneeded to provide a good or service.
当客户同意估计时，他们应该理解，他们同意有可能发生变化的金额。最后的账单（即，发票) might be more or less than the estimated total.
6 Business estimate facts
Ready to start sending out estimates to customers? Want to improve your current estimate process? Take a look at these six facts about estimates to get started.
1. A number of industries use estimates
Not sure if sending an estimate goes with your type of business and industry? There are a number of businesses that use estimates, including:
- 基于劳动力的企业（例如，建筑）
- 基于事件的业务（例如，摄影）
- 批发商（例如，区域分销商）
- 顾问（例如，营销公司）
一些更大的企业依赖成本估算者来估算工作所需的时间，金钱，材料和劳动力。您可以作为顾问雇用成本估算者或组合您自己的估计。
2. An estimate and quote aren’t exactly the same
有时，人们使用条款估计和互换引用。但是，它们不一样。
Again, an estimate is an approximate amount of money (aka a best guess) of how much a job could cost. Estimate prices can change as you start performing the work and hit unforeseen hiccups.
A quote, on the other hand, is more exact and binds you (and the customer) to the quoted price. When a customer OKs a quoted price, they’re agreeing to pay you a set, fixed price for the work.
If you provide an estimate, your price could increase or decrease depending on the time and materials it takes you to complete the job. But if you quote the customer, they need to pay you the quoted price.
3.估计有一些标准部分
虽然并非所有业务估算都看起来相同，但大多数遵循标准模板。这样，客户知道他们正在寻找什么以及在哪里找到信息。你知道吗what to say when sending an estimate?
了解如何编写估计归结为理解这些估计的标准部分。您的估计值应包括：
- Your business information
- 客户的信息
- Estimate number
- 您创建估计的日期
- 到期日（如果适用）
- Products or services included
- 数量
- Price of each product and/or service
- 描述您提供的内容
- 国家销售税
- Estimate total
You might also decide to add your business logo and colors to make the estimate more professional and on-brand.
Do the parts of an estimate sound familiar? The sections of an estimate are similar to the parts of an invoice, which is the final document asking the customer for payment.
以下是一个估算示例，以便让您了解他们遵循的典型结构：
4. There are different types of estimates
Again, no two estimates are the same. There are different types of estimates you might use, depending on the situation.
The types of estimates vary in how much detail they give and the accuracy of the total cost. Basic estimate types include:
- 粗略数量级（ROM）估计：初始估计在项目开始时汇总。最终金额可高达25％，大于估计总额为25％或75％。
- Preliminary estimate:近似估计，详细介绍了工作范围。您可以创建初步估计，以帮助您为客户巩固预算。
- 明确估计：这是最详细的和ccurate type of estimate because it’s typically prepared later in the project.
5. You need to do something with an estimate after
After sending the estimate to the customer, your work isn’t done. Don’t let your estimate collect digital dust. Instead, you should convert it to an invoice—unless you need to revise or scrap it.
修订
客户的价格太陡了吗？或者，客户是否希望额外的服务添加到估算中？
If your customer needs to scale back on some of the services or products to save money, you can revise the estimate. Likewise, the customer might decide they want to add additional services or products, driving up the price … and prompting you to revise it.
在修改估计后，将其发送回客户以获取批准。
Scrap
如果客户决定他们不想向估计向前迈进，则可以将其废除。但是，在他们以后改变主意的情况下将其保留在您的记录中是个好主意。
转换为发票
一旦估计准备滚动，挂在它上面。完成后提供商品或服务后，是时候达到客户了。通过将估算转换为发票来简化发出客户的过程。
如果您使用会计软件的能力将估算转换为发票，请执行此操作可以像单击按钮一样简单。
If you don’t use software, keep the estimate in your records so you can reference it. Remember to add or subtract any costs from the estimate before sending the final bill.
6. You can simplify a written estimate
Knowing how to write a cost estimate proposal takes time and practice. But once you put together an estimate, you can use the template as a baseline for future estimates.
为了进一步简化向客户发送估计的过程，您可以使用工作估算模板。作业估算模板可用：
- 在某些vwin.com systems
- 通过估计软件
- As a downloadable template
Do you plan on converting your estimates into invoices, collecting payment through credit cards, and recording the transaction in your books? If so, you might consider using accounting software to streamline the process from start to finish.
寻找允许您创建估计的会计软件，将估计转换为发票，并记录在书籍中？爱国者vwin055 has you covered. Plus, you can customize your estimates to reflect your business’s brand! Get your free trial today.
This is not intended as legal advice; for more information, please点击这里。