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Selections and Allowances

Selections let customers choose specific products for their project while you track the budget impact. Set allowances for categories like flooring or countertops, present options, and manage the approval process.

What Are Selections?​

Selections are customer product choices within an estimate. Common selection categories include:

  • Flooring materials
  • Cabinet finishes
  • Countertop surfaces
  • Fixtures and hardware
  • Paint colors
  • Appliances
  • Tile and backsplash
  • Lighting fixtures

Instead of specifying exact products in the estimate, you set a budget allowance and let customers choose from options within that budget.

How Selections Work​

The selections workflow has four main steps:

  1. Set Allowance - Define budget amounts for each selection category
  2. Add Options - Present available products for the customer to choose from
  3. Customer Chooses - Customer reviews options and makes their selection
  4. Track Impact - Monitor how selections affect the estimate total

Selections Before vs After Estimate Lock​

Critical Concept

How selections affect your estimate depends on whether the estimate is unlocked (before sale) or locked (after sale). This is fundamental to understanding allowance reconciliation.

Before Estimate is Sold (Unlocked)​

When the estimate is still unlocked:

  • Selections update the estimate directly with real pricing
  • The allowance amount is replaced with the actual selection cost
  • Estimate totals reflect the true cost of what was selected
  • No over/under tracking needed - the estimate IS the current price

Example:

  • Allowance for countertops: $3,500
  • Customer selects granite: $4,200
  • Estimate updates to reflect $4,200 for countertops
  • Total estimate increases by $700 automatically

After Estimate is Sold (Locked)​

Once the estimate is sold and locked:

  • Selections no longer update the estimate - it's frozen
  • The original allowance amount remains in the estimate
  • Selections show the over/under difference instead
  • This is where Allowance Reconciliation comes from

Example:

  • Locked estimate has countertop allowance: $3,500
  • Customer selects granite: $4,200
  • Estimate stays at $3,500 (locked)
  • Selection shows +$700 over allowance
  • The $700 becomes a change order or upgrade charge

Why This Matters​

This behavior allows you to:

  • Close the sale with allowances before every detail is finalized
  • Lock in the contract price while selections are still pending
  • Track variances between budgeted allowances and actual selections
  • Create change orders for upgrades after the contract is signed

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