AI Estimating
Create, edit, and understand AI-built estimates.
By Handoff and 2 others3 authors22 articles
Create an Estimate
Create estimates from descriptions, photos, videos, Walkthrough Mode, plans, takeoffs, or an existing PDF or CSV.
- How to create an estimate with HandyDescribe the job in chat and Handy (Handoff's AI assistant) builds an estimate you can review and refine with follow-up messages.
- How to create an estimate from photos, videos, or drawingsAttach photos, videos, PDFs, or drawings in the Handy chat and Handy reads them to build an estimate.
- How to recreate an existing estimate from a PDF or CSVAttach an estimate as a PDF, CSV, or Excel file in the Handy chat and ask Handy to replicate it as a new Handoff estimate.
- How to capture a walkthrough on your phoneTalk through a job and take photos in the mobile app. Handoff turns them into notes you can convert into an estimate or another document.
- How to measure a room with Room Scan (Beta)Scan rooms with a LiDAR iPhone or iPad to capture dimensions and a 3D model, then start an estimate from the floor plan.
- What AI takeoff is and when to use itAI takeoff reads residential plans up to 7,000 sq ft and builds an editable estimate, annotated drawings, and a summary report in 1 to 2 hours.
- How to run an AI takeoffUpload residential plans, add instructions, and start a takeoff from the chat plus menu to get an estimate, drawings, and a report.
- How to use Live Mode (Beta)Talk to Handy by voice instead of typing. Start a conversation, ask questions, update estimates, and end the session when you finish.
Edit an Estimate
Edit with AI or by hand: line items, groups, pricing adjustments, and revisions.
- How to edit items on an estimateEdit, add, delete, duplicate, and move items, groups, and sections on a draft estimate, and choose which table columns you see.
- How to combine estimatesMerge two or more estimates from the same project into one new draft estimate, with each original becoming its own section.
- How to fix an estimate with Handy or by handCorrect an estimate by asking Handy in chat, editing rows yourself, or undoing and reverting changes, including on a sent estimate.
- How to duplicate, archive, or delete an estimateCopy an estimate to reuse it, archive one you no longer need and bring it back later, or delete it. See what each action does to proposals and invoices.
Understanding an Estimate
Estimate structure, labor and material breakdowns, totals, and calculations.
- How to read your estimateHow an estimate is organized into sections, groups, and items, what each column and total means, and which parts your client sees.
- How Handoff calculates quantitiesHandy gets quantities from the numbers you give it, your files, your saved rates, and typical industry assumptions, then you review them.
- How to organize an estimate by CSI divisionAsk Handy to organize an estimate by CSI division, or build the divisions yourself with named groups, then export it as a CSV or PDF.
Working with Handy
How Handy, Handoff's AI assistant, researches, learns, and builds estimates, and how to prompt it.
- How Handy worksHandy builds and edits estimates and runs parts of your business from chat. See where to open it and how it uses your data and credits.
- How to use the Handy chatOpen the Handy chat from any screen, find past chats, and learn what it can and can't do for your estimates, clients, and documents.
- What you can ask Handy to doSee what Handy can do beyond estimates, from proposals and invoices to schedules, time tracking, expenses, and bids, and which plan each needs.
- How to write a good prompt for HandyWrite a job description Handy can price well. Include size, scope, finish level, and how you want it organized, then refine with follow-ups.
- Example prompts for HandyCopy example prompts for estimates, edits, pricing, and everyday business tasks, then change the details to fit your job.
- How Handy researches your past workBefore it builds an estimate, Handy can study your earlier estimates to match your pricing and structure. See when it runs and how to skip it.
- How Handy learns your preferencesHandy keeps notes on how you work from your chats and uses them as hints on later estimates. See what it saves, who sees it, and what outranks it.