Describe the roof to your AI the way you would hand it to your estimator, and it builds the estimate on that project in Projul: a section for each part of the job, with your squares, cost and markup on every line.
What to say to your AI
Give it the measurement. No template needed: if you have one saved, your AI copies it and adjusts the squares; otherwise give it your quantities and rates, or let it propose them for you to correct.
Build an estimate in Projul for [Whitfield Roof Replacement]. Seven sections: tear-off and disposal, decking, underlayment and dry-in, shingles, flashing and metal, ventilation, cleanup and final walk. Tear-off and disposal: [one layer of three-tab off 32 squares at $48 a square] plus [35]%, and [one 20-yard roofing dumpster at $525] plus [15]%. Decking: [allowance of 10 sheets of 7/16 OSB at $28] plus [20]% and [4] hours of decking labor at [$52] plus [40]%. Shingles: [architectural shingles, 34 squares at $112] plus [25]%, [hip and ridge cap, 96 lin ft at $3.85] plus [25]%, and install labor at [32 squares at $95 a square] plus [40]%. Flashing and metal: [drip edge, 180 lin ft at $2.10] plus [25]%, [step flashing at the two dormers, 60 lin ft at $3.20] plus [25]%, and [4] pipe boots at [$28] plus [25]%. Ventilation: [ridge vent, 44 lin ft at $7.40] plus [25]% and [2] hours of labor at [$52] plus [40]%. Cleanup and final walk: [6] hours of cleanup and magnet sweep at [$38] plus [40]%. Apply our [Utah] sales tax.
No client yet? Your AI can add the client and lead first; see How do I have my AI handle roofing leads and follow-ups?. A project holds one estimate, so an existing one gets edited.
How the line items work
Each line is labor, material or other: a quantity, a unit like squares or linear feet, your cost per unit, and a markup as a percent or a flat amount ("plus 25 percent" or "plus $15 a square"). Tax applies only when you name a rate from settings; a saved discount can be applied by name too. See How does my AI calculate prices, markup and tax?.
Selections and change orders
Where the homeowner picks between options, usually shingles or ventilation, your AI can build a selection so only their pick counts, and hide line prices while keeping them in the total. See How do I use subsections, selections and display-only sections with my AI?.
A second layer, extra decking, or scope added later goes on a change order, its own Draft under the estimate; scope removed instead becomes a display-only deduction. An approved change order can be read and noted, not edited. See How do I have my AI add a change order?.
Add a change order to the [Whitfield Roof Replacement] estimate in Projul called [Additional decking and rotten fascia]. One section with [14 additional sheets of 7/16 OSB at $28] plus [20]%, [32 lin ft of fascia board at $4.60] plus [25]%, and [4] hours of carpentry at [$56] plus [40]%. Apply our [Utah] tax.
What you will see
Your AI reports the estimate number and projected total. Click "Estimates": the new one sits at the top as a Draft, with each section and subtotal on the card.
Note: The estimate is created as a Draft on purpose; publishing and sending it are done in Projul. See Can my AI publish or send an estimate?. Dictating the same sections weekly? Save the estimate or a section as a reusable template. See How do I build and reuse estimate, section and line-item templates with my AI?.
Questions? Let's Chat.
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