> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.contractor-co-pilot.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Build your first estimate step by step in Co-Pilot

> Walk through creating a complete estimate: choose a client, add line items, use the materials catalog, apply a cost profile, then save and export.

Creating an estimate in Contractor Co-Pilot takes you from a blank project to a professional, client-ready document in a single workflow. This page walks through every step — from picking a client to exporting a PDF.

## Before you start

Make sure you have at least one client saved in the system. If you haven't added one yet, go to **Clients** in the sidebar and click **New Client**. You can also set up your [materials catalog](/costs/materials) beforehand to make line item entry faster, but it's not required.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Start a new estimate">
    1. Go to **Estimates** in the left sidebar.
    2. Click **New Estimate**.
    3. Fill in the basic project details:

    | Field | Notes |
    | - | - |
    | **Client** | Select or search for an existing client |
    | **Project Name** | Use something descriptive, like "Kitchen Renovation - 123 Main St" |
    | **Description** | Add notes about the project scope (optional) |
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add line items">
    Line items are the individual costs that make up your estimate. For each item:

    1. Click **Add Line Item**.
    2. Enter a **description** (for example, "Remove existing cabinets").
    3. Set the **quantity** and **unit** — common units include `EA`, `LF`, `SF`, `CY`, and `LS`.
    4. Enter the **unit cost**. The line total calculates automatically.

    <Tip>
      Type a material name in the description field to trigger autocomplete from your materials catalog. Selecting a catalog item pre-fills the unit and unit cost for you.
    </Tip>

    Keep your estimate organized by grouping line items into categories such as "Demolition", "Materials", and "Labor". You can also add internal notes to individual line items that only your team will see.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Apply a cost profile">
    Cost profiles let you apply consistent markup rules — overhead percentages, profit margins, or custom rates — across all line items at once.

    1. Click the **Cost Profile** dropdown near the top of the estimate.
    2. Select a profile, for example "Standard 30% Markup" or "Commercial Rates".
    3. Your totals adjust automatically based on the profile rules.

    <Note>
      If you haven't set up a cost profile yet, you can create one under **Cost Profiles** in the sidebar and come back. See [Cost Profiles](/costs/cost-profiles) for setup instructions. Applying a profile is optional — you can still save and share an estimate without one.
    </Note>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Review the estimate totals">
    Before saving, scroll to the summary section and verify the numbers:

    | Line | What it represents |
    | - | - |
    | **Subtotal** | Sum of all line items before any markup |
    | **Markup / Profit** | Amount added by your cost profile |
    | **Tax** | Applied if tax is configured for your organization |
    | **Total** | Final estimate amount shown to the client |

    <Warning>
      If the total looks off, check that your cost profile is applied and that no line items are missing a unit cost.
    </Warning>
  </Step>

  <Step title="Save and share the estimate">
    Click **Save** to store the estimate. From the estimate detail page you can:

    * **Edit** — Return and modify line items at any time before the estimate is accepted.
    * **Duplicate** — Copy the estimate as a starting point for a similar project.
    * **Convert to Proposal** — Turn the estimate into a professionally formatted proposal to send to your client. See [Estimate to Proposal](/workflows/estimate-to-proposal).
    * **Export** — Download the estimate as a PDF for offline use or to attach to an email.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Build estimates faster with imported data

You don't have to enter every line item by hand. Two shortcuts can save significant time:

* **From Excel** — Import a formatted spreadsheet of line items directly into an estimate. See [Importing Data](/getting-started/importing-data) for column requirements.
* **From Takeoffs** — Measure quantities from blueprints or PDFs in the Takeoffs module, then push them directly into an estimate. See [Takeoffs](/estimating/takeoffs).

## Next steps

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Estimates Reference" href="/estimating/estimates">
    Full feature reference for the estimation module, including advanced line item options and statuses.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Estimate to Proposal" href="/workflows/estimate-to-proposal">
    Convert your saved estimate into a winning proposal ready to send to a client.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>


This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.