Quote vs estimate — which should I use?

Use a quote when the price is firm and binding. Use an estimate when it's a good-faith approximation that may change. Glo Invoice supports both; the wording on the document is the main difference.

Can I collect a deposit when the customer approves?

Yes. Turn on deposit-at-approval and set a fixed amount or a percentage. Customer signs and pays in one flow.

What if the scope changes mid-job?

Add a change order to the quote. It creates a signed record and shows up as its own section on the final invoice — no arguments about what was included.

Only if you set an expiration date, which we recommend for material-heavy jobs. Expired quotes stay visible in your history but can't be approved without you re-issuing.

Quote software built for the trades

A quote is a firm price. Estimates can move; quotes shouldn't. Glo Invoice's quote workflow gives you a locked, signable price that becomes an invoice the day the job's finished.

You control what the customer sees — full line detail or a lump sum with a scope description. Terms, expiration dates, deposits, and change-order rules travel with the quote.

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How Glo Invoice does it

Firm, locked quotes

Set an expiration date, require a deposit at approval, and lock the line items until you unlock them. Change orders create a signed record so nothing's ambiguous later.

Expiration dates auto-void old quotes
Deposit-at-approval collects money up front
Change orders keep a signed audit trail

Digital signature + deposit at approval

The customer signs and pays the deposit in the same flow. You don't chase — the money's already in your Stripe or Square account before you buy materials.

Quote → invoice with change tracking

When the work's done, the quote converts to the final invoice. Scope changes show as separate change-order lines so the customer sees exactly what shifted.

How it works

Step 1
Build the quote
Itemize the work, set terms, add an expiration date.
Step 2
Require a deposit
Optional — collects a fixed amount or a percentage at approval.
Step 3
Send + sign
Customer opens the link, signs, and pays the deposit in one flow.
Step 4
Invoice the balance
Convert to invoice, add any change orders, send the final bill.

Trades that quote (not estimate)

Anywhere the customer wants a fixed number before you touch the job.

General contractors Remodelers Fence contractors Concrete Roofers Painters

Frequently asked

Related in Glo Invoice

Estimate software Free estimate generator Invoice software Proposal software Estimate templates Payment schedule generator

Send binding quotes that customers actually sign

Get a deposit up front. Convert to a paid invoice when the job's done.

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