📋 Requirements
Make sure you already have an estimate created for the project. Proposals are generated directly from estimates, and all line items are pulled from there automatically.
Open the Proposals Section
1. Log in to your Buildern account.
2. Open the project you want to work with.
3. Navigate to the Proposals tab.
4. Click Create Proposal.
After clicking, you’ll be taken to the Create Proposal page, where you can choose the estimate version. If your project has multiple versions, select the one you want to include in the proposal.
Each proposal is connected to a single estimate version, and all line items, quantities, and pricing are pulled directly from that selected version.
ℹ️ Note: The proposal will automatically include all line items from the linked estimate.
Enter Proposal Details
When creating a proposal in Buildern, the Proposal Details section defines how the proposal is identified, how long it remains valid, and what information is presented to your client.
Name - This field is prefilled with the project name by default, but it can be edited to better reflect the specific scope or phase of the work.
Proposal ID - This is an automatically generated unique identifier used for internal tracking and reference purposes.
Effective for - This sets how long the proposal remains valid after it is sent and defines the timeframe within which the client can approve it.
💡 Tip: Always set an effective period to encourage timely client responses and protect against cost changes.
Introduction Text
The Introduction Text section allows you to add a short message that appears at the beginning of the proposal. It is used to introduce the proposal to the client, supports rich text formatting such as font size, bold text, lists, and alignment, and is displayed at the top of the client-facing proposal.
The Insert placeholder option lets you automatically personalize proposal content.
You can insert dynamic fields such as:
Client Name
Project Name
Project Address
Total (Excluding Tax)
Total (Including Tax)
Company Name
Company Phone Number
Company Email
Company Address
Placeholders are automatically replaced with real project and company data when the proposal is sent. This helps avoid manual edits, keeps proposals consistent, and is especially useful when reusing the same proposal template across multiple projects.
💡 Tip: Using placeholders ensures accurate, personalized proposals without needing to update text for each client manually.
Comments as a Communication Tool
Each proposal includes a Comments section, which serves as a centralized communication channel between you and the client.
Discuss proposal details
Clarify questions
Keep all proposal-related communication in one place
Closing Text
The Closing Text section appears at the end of the proposal and is used to finalize communication with the client.
This section supports rich text formatting and placeholders, allowing you to automatically insert project, client, or company information. The closing text is displayed just before the signature section in the proposal.
Attachments
The Attachments section allows you to include supporting files with the proposal.
Terms and Conditions
The Terms and Conditions section defines the legal terms of the proposal.
Once the proposal is signed, these terms ensure it functions as a legally binding agreement between the parties.
Signature
The Signature section is used to collect approvals from all required parties. It includes signature fields for both the company and the client, with support for multiple client signature boxes when several stakeholders are involved.
ℹ️ Note: You will be able to sign the proposal once you save the initial draft. You can also add several signature boxes for your client if there are multiple stakeholders involved in the project.
Layout Settings
On the right-hand side, you’ll find Layout settings, where you can control which sections are included in the proposal and how they are displayed.
👉 You can read more Layout Settings
When everything’s done, you can preview the proposal before hitting the Send button.
The Preview page lets you review the entire proposal exactly as it will appear to your client. This is your opportunity to double-check project details, pricing, attachments, layout structure, and overall formatting before sharing it.
The Web View is identical to what your client will see once the proposal is sent.
Your proposal is a key communication tool with your client. Taking the time to structure it clearly, customize the layout, and verify all details ensures a smoother approval process and sets the right expectations from the start.
In upcoming articles, we’ll take a closer look at additional features and customization options in Buildern.
Happy Building!