How to create an estimate and get it accepted online

With InnoBooks, you create an estimate, send it to your client, and they can accept and sign it directly online — no account needed. Once accepted, an estimate converts into an invoice in one click. Here’s how to do it from start to finish.

What you’ll need #

• A client saved in InnoBooks (with an email address for sending).
• Your business information and taxes (GST 5%, QST 9.975%) set up.
• Permission to create estimates.

Steps #

1. Open the new estimate form

   Open the Estimate page, then click New Estimate at the top right to open the creation window.

   

2. Fill in the estimate header

   Select the client in Sent to Client/Project. The Estimate Number is generated automatically. Choose the Issue Estimate Date, set the owner in Created by, and add a Description if needed.

3. Add line items and taxes

   Click + Add New Item or Add new line, then fill in the description, the Rate and the Quantity. In the Tax column, use + Add Taxes to apply GST and QST. The Subtotal and total amount are calculated automatically.

4. Send the estimate to the client

   Click Send Estimate at the bottom of the form (or Save to keep it as a draft). The send window shows the To Email field pre-filled with the client’s email and a message preview; click Send Email to send it. From a saved estimate’s detail page, you can also use Send Email or Share by link to deliver a secure link.

5. The client reviews, accepts and signs online

   Opening the link they received, the client sees the estimate (items, taxes, total) and the Accept This Estimate section. They enter their Full Name and Email Address, draw their Electronic Signature in the box, then click Accept Estimate. An Estimate Accepted message confirms it; on your side, the signature and the Estimate Accepted note appear on the estimate.

6. Convert the accepted estimate into an invoice (Optional)

   On the estimate’s detail page, open the More menu and choose Convert to Invoice. Confirm: InnoBooks creates an invoice with the same items and taxes, ready to be sent and paid.

Tips & edge cases #

• The client doesn’t need an InnoBooks account — the acceptance link is enough.
• To accept an estimate yourself (for a client on the phone, for example), use the More menu then Accept on the detail page.
• An estimate stays editable via Edit until it’s accepted; you can also Duplicate it from the More menu.
• As with invoices, taxes are added line by line from those configured in your settings.

Frequently asked questions #

Does the client need an account to accept the estimate? #

No. They open the link you send, fill in their Full Name and Email Address, sign in the Electronic Signature box, then click Accept Estimate. No sign-in is required.

What happens after an estimate is accepted? #

The estimate’s status changes to accepted and the client’s signature appears on it (the Estimate Accepted section with Client Signature). You can then convert it into an invoice.

How do I turn an accepted estimate into an invoice? #

Open the estimate, click More, then Convert to Invoice and confirm. A new invoice is created with the same lines and taxes.

Related articles #

• How to create and send an invoice
• Set up your taxes (GST and QST)