Getting Started
6 guides
Getting started with Bolster in 7 minutesGet up and running quickly with a platform tour, a guide to build and send your first estimate, and an overview of the project management tools.
Video→How to Save Work in BolsterSave your estimate progress with Save estimate changes, and save items and assemblies to your catalog so you can reuse them.
Video · 1:29→How do I use the Import Tool in Bolster?The Import Tool lets you import items, clients, and vendors using a Sheets-style grid. For items, it supports categories, match/update vs. create logic, and highlights what changed so you can review imports quickly and accurately.
→How do I import clients using the upgraded workflow in Bolster?Drop a spreadsheet into Settings > Import data, confirm it is a Customers import, check the AI column mapping, and save the imported changes.
Video · 1:59→Vendor Import ToolThe Vendor Import Tool lets you quickly add subcontractors and suppliers to Bolster in bulk using a spreadsheet. This is the fastest way to set up your vendor list.
→Using Bolton: AI-Powered SearchOpen Bolton from the top right corner to ask how to do things in Bolster or give it a task to complete for you.
Video · 2:36→Company Setup
10 guides
How to Add Your Company LogoLearn how to open your company settings and add your main company logo.
Video · 0:31→Adding a Background Image & Company LogoChange the logo and background picture (banner) at the top of your proposal from the Proposal presentation page.
Video · 0:49→Managing Company Settings in BolsterEnter and manage your company's general details, address, currency, tax and extra details from Settings > Company settings.
Video · 1:07→How to Change Percent Profit in Company SettingsLearn how to set your company's default profit margin, as a percentage or markup, in Bolster's Estimating Settings so it applies to all new line items.
Video · 1:09→How to Add Company Terms and ConditionsSet your company-wide terms and conditions once in Settings > Estimating settings, and they are attached to every quote.
Video · 0:45→How to Enable CSLB Contract Pages for CaliforniaTurn on CSLB contract pages to add a California Home Improvement Contract Summary and two Notice of Cancellation copies to your proposal PDF.
Video · 0:51→How to Add CSLB Contract Pages to a California Estimate in BolsterBolster can automatically include the CSLB (Contractors State License Board) contract pages on estimates you send to clients in California. When enabled, the signed PDF your client downloads includes the contract total, all line items, the signature, and the two required Notice of Cancellation pages.
Video→Team and user managementInvite your team to Bolster from Settings > Users and give each person a role that sets their permissions.
Video · 2:16→User roles and permissionsUse roles to control what each user can see and do, and set whether permissions apply to their own records or other team members' too.
Video · 2:16→Managing Franchises in BolsterBolster makes it easy for multi-location businesses to manage franchise networks. If you're a franchisor or managing franchisees, this guide walks you through setup, key features, and controls available in the platform.
→Leads, Clients & Pipeline
3 guides
Pipeline Overview on the Bolster PlatformUse the Pipeline to see all your leads and jobs in one view, then open each column as a list to filter, search, and update them.
Video · 3:37→Using Insights on the DashboardGet an overall snapshot of your business from the Dashboard and customize which insights it shows.
Video · 1:05→How do I generate reports in Bolster?Use the filters on the Financial > Reports page to generate a report, then export it to Excel or adjust columns and zoom.
Video · 0:52→Estimating
4 guides
How to Change the Salesperson on an Individual JobReassign the salesperson and other roles on a single job from the estimate's Settings page.
Video · 0:33→How to Adjust Profit MarkupLearn how to adjust profit markup on individual line items, assemblies, or the entire project in Bolster, using either the sheet view or item cube settings.
Video · 0:43→Adding tax to estimate pricingSave your tax rates under Settings, then choose a tax rate for each estimate from its job totals.
Video · 1:07→Custom Labor Rates & Time TrackingBolster gives you full control over labor pricing and production time at three levels: Company-wide custom labor rates, item-level Labour Options in an estimate, and project-wide labor review in the Budget tab
Video · 0:55→Proposals & Client Experience
1 guide
Project Management
4 guides
Introduction to the new Budget TabThe new Budget Tab gives teams a clearer, faster, and more flexible way to manage project budgets. By aligning estimating, expenses, and purchase order data in one place, it ensures your financial insights stay accurate, connected, and up to date.
Video · 13:17→How to Use the Budget TabThe Budget tab lets you compare estimated vs. actual costs for every line item, tracking materials, labor, payments, and profit across your project.
Video · 0:59→How do I track budget vs actual costs in Bolster?Use the Budget page on a booked job to add actual costs and see how each item compares to its budget.
Video · 2:21→How to Track Bills & Expenses for a Booked ProjectOnce a project is booked and in progress, it's important to properly track all bills, expenses, and receipts to maintain accurate job costing and financial reporting.
Video · 0:56→Vendors & Purchasing
2 guides
How vendor costs show up in your job budgetSee where every vendor dollar stands, from budgeted to committed, billed and paid.
→How to Add Vendor Terms and Conditions to OrdersAdd default terms and conditions for all vendor and subcontractor orders, or set terms for one specific vendor order.
Video · 1:10→Payments & Invoicing
11 guides
Why use Bolster Payments?Bolster Payments is a fully integrated feature designed to help contractors in the construction industry automate and streamline their payment processes.
Video→How to activate Bolster PaymentsComplete the KYB & KYC process to get paid on Bolster!
Video · 13:14→FAQs: What problems does Bolster Payments Solve?We know payments can be one of the biggest pain points for contractors. Here’s how Bolster solves the most common challenges around cash flow, client trust, and admin headaches.
→Financial features overviewBolster’s financial tools help you collect payments, manage cash flow, and keep your books clean. You’ll onboard once through verification, then use dashboards to track balances, payments, payouts, and invoices.
→How projects, subcontractors and progress billing works togetherThis article covers everything from setting up modules and assigning vendors to tracking project progress and enabling clients to approve and pay for items.
Video · 20:14→How to Collect a Deposit Using Progress PaymentsBolster doesn't have a dedicated "deposit" button — instead, deposits are handled naturally through your payment term type. Every payment term type supports collecting upfront money; the method is just slightly different for each.
→Percentage Based Payments (segmented)Learn how Percentage Based Payments work in Bolster, from setting payment terms to sending progress-based payment requests and tracking approvals through the Client Portal.
→Phase Based PaymentsBolster gives you several ways to manage how you get paid during a project. These options make sure you’re not waiting until the very end of a job to receive money, while also giving your clients clarity and flexibility.
→Stage Based PaymentsLearn how Stage Based Payments in Bolster work, from setting up payment terms to sending milestone-based payment requests and tracking client approvals throughout a project.
→Rolling Basis PaymentsBolster gives you several ways to manage how you get paid during a project. These options make sure you’re not waiting until the very end of a job to receive money, while also giving your clients clarity and flexibility.
→Bolster Business Account (Wallet)Bolster Business Account is your built-in wallet. After you complete verification, Bolster creates this account automatically. All payments you collect through Bolster settle here first.
→Marketing & Lead Gen
3 guides
Marketing Campaign TrackerUse the Lead sources page to track campaign costs, new customers, conversion, new jobs and ROI, and link your lead forms to each campaign.
Video · 3:31→Introduction to ratingsRatings let your customers leave feedback on your company after a job. Bolster collects these ratings after a job is complete with a customer, then displays them on your public profile, so new leads can trust you faster.
→How to set up your Bolster ShowcaseBolster Showcase is your public, 3-tab website inside Bolster. It helps you qualify more leads by sharing your work, your story, and your verified ratings.
→Integrations
8 guides
Bolster - QuickBooks Integration guideConnect your QuickBooks account in Bolster Settings to sync clients, vendors, expenses, purchase orders, and work orders.
Video · 0:51→Bolster + QuickBooks = Automatic Accounting SyncWith Bolster, your payments don’t just get collected — they flow directly into your accounting system, saving you time, avoiding errors, and keeping your books clean.
Video · 5:07→Bolster - Hover Integration GuideThe integration enables seamless transfer of measurement data from Hover into Bolster, allowing automatic generation of cost estimates including materials and labor based on area, length, volume, and more.
Video→Using the Hover IntegrationBolster’s Hover integration enables contractors to incorporate accurate measurements and property photos directly into estimates. This ensures reliable pricing and enhances project transparency.
Video · 5:03→Bolster – CompanyCam Integration GuideThe Bolster & CompanyCam integration connects your project management in Bolster with CompanyCam’s job site photo and video management platform. Learn how it works!
Video→ABC Supply Integration for AutoCostConnect your myABCSupply account in Bolster Settings to use ABC Supply's catalog in your proposals.
Video · 0:48→Create a Zapier Trigger for Your Bolster Lead FormGet Zapier successfully receiving submissions from your existing lead form. Stop here once the trigger test is successful.
→Send Lead Form Data into Bolster Using WebhooksSend lead form submissions from Zapier directly into Bolster.
→Product Updates
6 guides
Bolster Product Update - May 13, 2026We're excited to share the latest updates released on May 13th, 2026. This release brings two significant improvements — a fully redesigned proposal presentation experience and multi-language support across the platform.
Video→Bolster Product Update - Jan 27, 2026We’re excited to share our latest product updates released on January 27th, 2026. These enhancements are designed to improve usability, visibility, and efficiency across the platform. Below is a summary of what’s new and improved.
Video · 1:37→Bolster Product Update - Nov 27, 2025We’re excited to announce the latest updates to our platform! This release introduces major improvements to mobile usability, estimating tools, presentation options, communication workflows, and financial integrations.
→Bolster Product Update - Nov 06, 2025It’s been a big month for Bolster, with major improvements across estimating, proposals, and project management, all focused on a smoother, faster workflow.
→Bolster Product Update - Sept 11, 2025This release delivers major improvements to selectors, proposals, scheduling, and overall performance. From faster tools to smarter previews and better reliability on mobile, here’s everything you need to know.
Video · 1:31→Bolster Product Update – Aug 26, 2025The newest Bolster update adds smarter labor rates, clearer item selection, automated fees, change history, improved estimate insights, plus enhancements to library items, catalogs, and the takeoff tool.
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