Company Setup
3 guides
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→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→Leads, Clients & Pipeline
4 guides
How to Add a Client LeadLearn how to add a new client or lead into your Bolster pipeline using the Add Lead button or the multi-create Plus button.
Video · 1:15→Lead ManagementImport leads or link your website's lead form, then manage each lead from your pipeline or the Leads and customers page.
Video · 2:20→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→Estimating
10 guides
How to Create a New EstimateStart a new job from your pipeline, assign it to a customer, and choose how to build the estimate.
Video · 1:21→Sending an Estimate in BolsterReview your estimate and proposal presentation, then send it to your client from the Send proposal window.
Video · 1:23→How to Duplicate an EstimateCopy an existing estimate from the Pending jobs list and create it for the same client or a different one.
Video · 0:36→Client Notifications & Activity TrackingThe Client Notifications & Activity Tracking feature provides clear, real-time visibility into how clients interact with your estimates, proposals, and invoices.
→Manually Accepting ProposalsBook a project without electronic approval, for example after a verbal or handshake deal, using Mark as booked in your pipeline.
Video · 0:56→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 Enable Estimate Sidebar SettingsThis guide shows you how to customize estimate sidebar settings to better present estimates for your customers, helping you create more effective and personalized proposals.
→How Discounts Work in BolsterApply a percentage or dollar discount to a whole estimate from the Job totals panel. Your line item pricing stays the same.
Video · 0:59→How to Add AI Upgrades to Line ItemsBolster's AI upgrade feature automatically generates alternative product or material selections for any standard line item in a proposal. In seconds, AI surfaces upgrade and downgrade options
Video · 2:04→How to Generate Specific AI Upgrade SelectionsLet Bolster's AI pick upgrades for a line item, or choose from the upgrade options it suggests.
Video · 1:06→Items, Assemblies & Catalog
4 guides
How to Add a Text Block ItemLearn how to add a no-cost text block item to your estimate in Bolster to outline a solution or add notes for your client.
Video · 0:42→How to Add an Image Gallery ItemLearn how to add an image gallery item to your estimate in Bolster to showcase similar projects or your best work to clients.
Video · 0:50→How to Add Pictures and Descriptions to Line ItemsLearn how to add pictures and descriptions to individual line items and assemblies in Bolster estimates and proposals, including using the AI image generator.
Video · 1:03→How to Add Descriptions for Assemblies and Items in an EstimateLearn how to add detailed descriptions to line items and assemblies in an estimate so clients know exactly what they're purchasing.
Video · 1:08→Proposals & Client Experience
14 guides
Building stellar job-winning presentationsWinning jobs with Bolster means getting the most out of your presentations, including adding logos, badges, item photos, and image galleries. Read this guide for job-winning proposal best practices.
→Changing presentation settingsUse the gear icon on the proposal presentation to change what your client sees, from credentials and attachments to visibility toggles.
Video · 1:05→How to Download & Print ProposalsThis guide explains how to download and print proposals from Bolster. These steps are useful for saving proposals in your office files, on your computer, or for sharing printed copies with clients.
Video · 0:42→How to Make Items OptionalLearn how to mark a line item as optional in Bolster, choose between customer-approved, optional, or internal optional types, and set default inclusion to give clients more flexibility.
Video · 0:49→How to Make Assemblies OptionalThis article explains how to set assemblies as optional within a construction estimate, including how to control visibility and default inclusion, so estimators can provide clients with flexible proposals.
Video · 0:40→How to Add Upgrades to AssembliesThis article explains how to add upgrades to individual line items with the Simple List upgrade tool, including automatic and suggested options, and how to apply tags for clarity.
Video · 1:40→How to Add Line Item UpgradesLearn how to add upgrade options to an individual line item using the simple list (upgrade) tool.
Video · 1:40→Building a Selector Tool (or Variation Options) with pricingCreate a selection with variation options, such as flooring material and price level, so your client can choose and price their own option in the proposal.
Video · 9:32→Using the Selections tabSee every selection in your estimate in one place, and pre-select, lock, make optional, edit or reprice them.
Video · 1:05→How to Let Buyers Set Their Own Quantity or DimensionLearn how to let buyers set their own quantity or dimension for a line item on their quote, so they can adjust their budget without an on-site measurement.
Video · 0:54→How to Add a Custom Input or Question to a Proposal or TemplateLearn how to add a custom question or input field to a line item in a Bolster proposal or template so clients can type their own response.
Video · 0:52→How to Add Pre-Built Paint Fandexes to a Line ItemLearn how to attach the built-in Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams paint Fandexes to a line item so clients can search and select a color directly in their proposal.
Video · 0:59→Approving a job and project termsClients review work, approve items, and pay online through their secure Client Portal—where they can track the project progress.
→Hiding Items/Assemblies From Client/PreviewUse the proposal presentation to check what your client sees and hide items or assemblies you don't want shown.
Video · 1:29→Project Management
2 guides
Using Bolster Messages and ChannelsUse the Messages page and the in-estimate Messages sidebar to follow job activity and chat with your team or your customer.
Video · 2:34→How to Add Project Documents to a ProjectLearn how to add project documents like site photos, floor plans, and presentation files to a project, and control whether they're visible to the customer or shared internally.
Video · 0:48→Payments & Invoicing
1 guide
Marketing & Lead Gen
3 guides
How do Custom Lead Forms work?Build a custom lead form, choose who receives and is notified about leads, and connect the form to your website so leads go straight into Bolster.
Video · 2:50→How to Generate Lead FormsLearn how to create custom lead forms, choose the fields leads fill in, and get the form's link, HTML or QR code.
Video · 1:29→How do I use Open Quotes?OpenQuote lets you publish assemblies from your catalog so leads can choose a project, enter or pick dimensions, make selections, and request an estimate that comes into your pipeline.
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