Two Types of Exports
FenceEstimatePro generates two different document types for different audiences:
Customer Proposal (PDF)
Professional, branded proposal for sending to customers
- ✓ Your company logo and branding
- ✓ Bid price with markup
- ✓ Installation timeline
- ✓ Warranty and terms
- ✓ Payment options
- ✓ Professional layout
Internal BOM (PDF)
Detailed bill of materials for your crew and ordering
- ✓ Complete material list with SKUs
- ✓ Exact quantities needed
- ✓ Unit costs and totals
- ✓ Labor hours breakdown
- ✓ Cost analysis (no markup shown)
- ✓ Sortable and printable
Generating a Customer Proposal
Step-by-Step
- Open your estimate from the dashboard
- Review all details (linear feet, gates, pricing, customer info)
- Set your markup percentage (this is your profit margin)
- Click "Generate Customer Proposal"
- Wait 5-10 seconds while PDF is created
- PDF downloads automatically to your computer
- Email to customer or print and deliver in person
What's Included in the Proposal
- Header: Your company name, logo, contact info, proposal date
- Customer Details: Name, property address, contact info
- Project Scope: Fence type, linear feet, height, gates
- Pricing: Total bid price (materials + labor + markup)
- Timeline: Estimated start date and duration
- Warranty: 2-year workmanship warranty, manufacturer materials warranty
- Terms: Payment schedule, deposit requirements, change order policy
- Next Steps: Acceptance process and scheduling
💡 Tip: Set your company branding in Settings → Company Profile to customize the proposal header with your logo and colors.
Generating an Internal BOM
Step-by-Step
- Open your estimate from the dashboard
- Click "Generate Internal BOM" or "Export BOM"
- PDF downloads with complete material breakdown
- Print for crew or use for material ordering
What's Included in the BOM
- Posts (quantity, size, SKU, unit cost, total)
- Rails (quantity, length, material, cost)
- Panels/Pickets (quantity, dimensions, total coverage)
- Gates (type, size, hardware included)
- Concrete (bags needed per post, total bags)
- Hardware (screws, brackets, caps, hinges, latches)
- Optional: Stain, sealer, post hole digger rental
- Post installation hours
- Panel/rail assembly hours
- Gate installation hours
- Cleanup and finishing hours
- Total labor hours and cost
- Total material cost
- Total labor cost
- Subtotal (no markup shown — internal use only)
💡 Tip: Print the BOM and keep it with your job folder. Check off materials as you load the truck to ensure nothing is forgotten.
Customizing Your Proposals
Company Branding
Settings → Company Profile → Branding
- Upload your logo (PNG or JPG, max 500KB)
- Set primary brand color (used for headers and accents)
- Add company tagline or mission statement
- Update contact info (phone, email, website, address)
Payment Terms
Customize default payment terms shown in proposals:
- Deposit percentage (typically 25-50%)
- Payment schedule (e.g., 50% upfront, 50% on completion)
- Accepted payment methods
- Late payment policy
Warranty Information
Standard warranty is 2 years workmanship. You can customize this in Settings → Company Profile → Warranty Terms. Some contractors offer extended warranties for premium materials.
Best Practices
1. Review Before Sending
Always open and review the PDF before emailing to customers. Check for typos, verify pricing, and ensure customer details are correct.
2. Save Proposals with Estimates
Keep a copy of every proposal you send. If customer accepts, you have a record of exactly what was quoted. If they request changes, you can reference the original proposal.
3. Set Proposal Expiration
Default expiration is 30 days. Material prices fluctuate, so protect yourself with a clear expiration date. After expiration, you can revise and resend with updated pricing.
4. Use BOM for Ordering
Don't estimate material orders from memory. Use the BOM to call/email your supplier with exact quantities and SKUs. This reduces waste and ensures you don't run short mid-job.
Troubleshooting Export Issues
PDF doesn't download
Check your browser's download settings. Some browsers block automatic downloads. Allow downloads from fenceestimatepro.com in your browser settings.
PDF looks wrong when I open it
Make sure you're using a modern PDF reader (Adobe Acrobat, Preview on Mac, Edge on Windows). Old PDF readers may not display formatting correctly.
Logo doesn't appear in proposal
Upload your logo in Settings → Company Profile → Branding. Logo must be PNG or JPG format, max 500KB. After uploading, regenerate the proposal to see the logo.
Export is very slow
PDF generation typically takes 5-10 seconds. If it's taking longer than 30 seconds, check your internet connection. Complex estimates with many fence runs or gates may take slightly longer.
Next Steps
Problems with exports?
Our support team can help troubleshoot PDF issues or answer questions about customizing proposals.
Contact Support