Online Proposals That Turn Into Jobs: Send Professional Estimates and Close Service Work Faster

A contractor can lose a job even when the customer is interested.

The estimate is sent by text.

The customer replies:

Looks good. I’ll take a look.

Then nothing happens.

The office does not know whether the customer opened the estimate, understood the scope, had a question, thought the price was too high, or simply got busy.

For many service businesses, the proposal process still looks like this:

• estimate written inside a text message;
• PDF created manually;
• price sent without clear line items;
• approval received informally by SMS;
• scope explained in several separate messages;
• job scheduled without a clear confirmation;
• technician sent with incomplete details;
• invoice created later in another tool.

The problem is not only presentation.

A weak estimate creates confusion, delays, rework, and disputes.

DunaHub helps contractors create professional online proposals connected to the CRM.

Your company can create a visual proposal, add line items, descriptions, quantities, and prices, send a public link to the customer, track the proposal status, and—on eligible plans—let the customer approve it online with lightweight e-signature.

After approval, the proposal can automatically become a Job.

The workflow becomes:

Lead → Proposal → Approval → Job → Service → Invoice

Why professional proposals matter

The proposal is one of the most important moments in the sales process.

It is where the customer decides whether they trust your company, understand the work, and feel comfortable moving forward.

A poorly structured estimate may leave the customer wondering:

• What exactly is included?
• Is this labor only or labor and materials?
• Which areas are covered?
• Is cleanup included?
• Is there a warranty?
• How do I approve?
• Should I reply by text?
• Is the job already confirmed?
• What happens after I accept?

When those answers are unclear, the customer delays the decision.

A professional proposal helps organize:

• scope;
• line items;
• pricing;
• terms;
• exclusions;
• approval;
• next steps.

It turns a loose conversation into a clear commercial document.

Why text-message estimates are not enough

Texting is useful for communication.

It is not always the best format for presenting a professional estimate.

A long message can get buried.

A PDF can be downloaded and forgotten.

A price without details can feel expensive.

A customer response like “go ahead” can create confusion later.

For example:

Interior painting — $3,800.

That estimate does not explain:

• which rooms are included;
• whether ceilings are included;
• how many coats are planned;
• who supplies paint;
• whether surface preparation is included;
• when the work can be scheduled;
• how long the job may take;
• what payment terms apply.

The larger the service, the more important the proposal becomes.

You can still discuss the job by text, SMS, email, or WhatsApp.

But the estimate itself should be structured.

What is an online proposal?

An online proposal is a digital page that presents the service offer in an organized format.

In DunaHub, a proposal can include:

• customer;
• services;
• descriptions;
• quantities;
• prices;
• total;
• terms;
• public link;
• proposal status;
• approval or rejection, depending on the plan.

The proposal can be sent by text, email, WhatsApp, or another communication channel used by your business.

The customer opens the link, reviews the work, and understands what is being offered.

On eligible plans, they can approve online.

This reduces dependence on vague replies like:

Sounds good.

or:

Let’s do it.

The approval becomes part of the customer workflow.

How DunaHub Visual Proposals work

The DunaHub Visual Proposals workflow is designed for contractors and local service businesses.

A typical process looks like this:

1. Select the lead;
2. Create a new proposal;
3. Add line items;
4. Include descriptions, quantities, and prices;
5. Save the proposal;
6. Send the public link to the customer;
7. Track the status;
8. Receive approval;
9. Create the Job automatically.

The customer does not need to install an app.

They open the proposal link, review the details, and approve or reject it.

What proposal statuses are available?

DunaHub proposals follow a simple status flow:

• draft;
• sent;
• viewed;
• approved;
• rejected.

Each status tells the team what should happen next.

Draft

The proposal is still being prepared.

Use this stage while adjusting:

• items;
• quantities;
• descriptions;
• prices;
• terms;
• notes.

Sent

The proposal has been sent to the customer.

The next step is to confirm whether the customer received it and can open the link.

Viewed

The customer opened the proposal.

This is a valuable moment for follow-up.

A simple message could be:

Hi Sarah, I saw you were able to open the proposal. Do you have any questions about the scope, pricing, or scheduling?

Approved

The customer accepted the proposal.

On Starter and Pro, the approval can include lightweight e-signature.

After approval, the proposal can automatically create a Job.

Rejected

The customer declined.

The team can record why the opportunity was lost and improve future sales.

Common reasons include:

• price;
• timing;
• scope;
• hired another company;
• project delayed;
• wrong service fit.

What is lightweight e-signature?

On eligible plans, DunaHub allows customers to approve proposals with lightweight e-signature.

This approval captures information such as:

• IP address;
• user agent;
• approval action.

That creates a clearer commercial record than an informal message in a text thread.

It is important to understand the limit.

DunaHub’s e-signature is designed for service proposal approval.

It should not be presented as a replacement for specialized legal-signature platforms such as DocuSign or ZapSign.

Companies that require complex contracts, formal legal workflows, identity verification, regulated documentation, or multi-party legal approvals should use the proper contract system.

Does the Free plan include e-signature?

No.

The Free plan includes 10 proposals per month, but it does not include e-signature.

That means a small business can still create and send structured proposals, but online approval with lightweight e-signature is available on the paid plans.

For a contractor starting out, Free can help organize the estimate process.

For companies sending estimates regularly, Starter or Pro may be a better fit.

Why does proposal tracking help close more jobs?

Without proposal tracking, the team works blindly.

After sending an estimate, nobody knows whether the customer:

• received it;
• opened it;
• reviewed it;
• got confused;
• needs a follow-up;
• approved it;
• rejected it.

The salesperson may forget to follow up.

The owner may assume the customer is not interested.

The customer may simply need one explanation before approving.

Status tracking makes the next action easier.

Sent but not viewed

Maybe the customer missed the message.

A follow-up could say:

Hi James, I just resent the proposal link. Can you confirm you were able to open it?

Viewed but not approved

The customer may be comparing options or may have a question.

A follow-up could say:

Were you able to review the line items? I can clarify the scope or adjust the proposal if needed.

Approved

The next step is scheduling the Job.

Rejected

The next step is recording the reason and deciding whether future follow-up makes sense.

Proposal status does not sell by itself.

It helps the team take the right action at the right time.

How to structure a proposal that converts

A proposal should do more than display a price.

It should help the customer understand value.

1. Use a clear title

Avoid:

Estimate

Use:

Driveway and Patio Pressure Washing Proposal

or:

HVAC Replacement Proposal

or:

Electrical Panel Upgrade Proposal

The title should tell the customer exactly what they are reviewing.

2. Separate the line items

Line items reduce confusion.

Example for painting:

Item	Description
Surface preparation	Basic prep for the approved walls
Wall painting	Paint application in the listed rooms
Ceiling painting	Included only where specified
Materials	Clarify whether paint is included
Cleanup	Basic cleanup after the service

3. Explain what is included

The customer should know what they are buying.

Example:

Includes labor to install up to six customer-supplied light fixtures at existing electrical points.

4. Explain what is not included

Exclusions prevent disputes.

Example:

Does not include new wiring, panel work, drywall repair, or fixture assembly unless listed above.

5. Use quantities

Whenever possible, use numbers.

Examples:

• 4 rooms;
• 2 units;
• 120 linear feet;
• 8 fixtures;
• 3 visits;
• 1 installation.

Quantities make the proposal more concrete.

6. Keep descriptions simple

Customers should not need technical expertise to understand the proposal.

Use plain language.

Explain the scope in practical terms.

7. Add a proposal expiration date

Pricing, labor availability, and material costs can change.

A clear expiration date prevents old estimates from being reused months later.

8. Explain the next step

The customer should know what happens after approval.

Example:

After approval, our office will contact you to confirm the service date and appointment window.

How a proposal becomes a Job

After approval, the proposal can automatically create a DunaHub Job.

This connection is one of the most important parts of the workflow.

Without it, the process is manual:

1. Customer approves;
2. Salesperson tells the office;
3. Office creates a calendar event;
4. Technician receives a text;
5. Job value is copied into another system;
6. Invoice is created later.

When the proposal becomes a Job, the company reduces duplicate work.

The Job can carry important information from the approved proposal.

The office still confirms:

• date;
• time;
• technician;
• service address;
• operational notes.

The approved sale becomes scheduled work.

Example: plumbing company

A homeowner needs a water heater replacement.

The proposal includes:

• removal of existing unit;
• installation of new unit;
• required parts;
• labor;
• disposal;
• exclusions;
• payment terms.

The customer approves from the proposal link.

A Job is created automatically.

The technician receives the customer, address, approved work, value, and notes.

After completion, the invoice can be created and the review request can follow.

Example: HVAC contractor

A customer requests a system replacement.

The proposal includes:

• equipment option;
• labor;
• removal of old equipment;
• installation;
• thermostat;
• warranty note;
• exclusions.

The customer reviews the proposal and approves online.

The office creates the Job, assigns the crew, and schedules the installation.

The approved scope remains connected to the customer record.

Example: electrical contractor

A customer requests lighting installation.

The proposal separates:

• fixture installation;
• materials not included;
• existing electrical points;
• excluded wiring work;
• appointment requirements.

The customer approves.

The proposal becomes a Job assigned to an electrician.

The technician does not need to ask:

What did the customer approve?

The scope is connected to the Job.

Example: cleaning company

A customer requests move-out cleaning.

The proposal includes:

• general cleaning;
• kitchen;
• bathrooms;
• accessible windows;
• number of cleaners;
• estimated duration;
• excluded services.

After approval, the company schedules the cleaning team.

The invoice can later reflect the approved service.

Example: landscaping company

A customer requests a yard cleanup and mulch installation.

The proposal includes:

• cleanup;
• trimming;
• debris removal;
• mulch installation;
• materials;
• labor;
• excluded tree work.

The customer approves.

The company creates a Job, assigns the crew, and schedules the work.

How to send a proposal by text

SMS remains one of the most practical channels for U.S. contractors.

A short message could say:

Hi {{lead.name}}, your proposal is ready. You can review the scope, pricing, and terms here: [proposal link]. Let us know if you have any questions.

A follow-up could say:

Were you able to open the proposal? I can clarify any line item before you decide.

The link keeps the estimate organized.

The text message keeps the conversation easy.

How to send a proposal by email

For commercial clients, property managers, and higher-value projects, email may feel more professional.

Example:

Hi Sarah, Your proposal is ready. You can review the line items, pricing, and terms using the link below. If everything looks correct, you can approve it online. Please let us know if you would like any adjustments.

A good proposal email should include:

• clear subject;
• short introduction;
• proposal link;
• next action;
• contact for questions.

How to send a proposal through WhatsApp

For customers who prefer WhatsApp, the same public link can be shared there.

Example:

Hi {{lead.name}}, your proposal is ready. You can review the details here: [proposal link]. If you have questions about the scope or scheduling, reply here and our team will help.

The conversation stays convenient while the proposal stays structured.

How to follow up after sending a proposal

Sending the proposal is not the end of the sales process.

A simple follow-up sequence may look like this:

Same day

Confirm delivery.

Were you able to open the proposal link?

After 2 or 3 days

Ask whether the customer has questions.

Were you able to review the line items? I can clarify the scope, pricing, or scheduling.

After 5 to 7 days

Ask about the next step.

Would you like to move forward, adjust the scope, or revisit this later?

Later

Pause the active follow-up.

Since we have not heard back, I will pause this follow-up for now. We are happy to help when you are ready to move forward.

DunaHub Stage Automations can help with predictable proposal follow-up.

How to avoid sounding pushy

A good follow-up is helpful, not aggressive.

Avoid:

Are you going to approve this or not?

Use:

Do you have any questions about the scope or would you like us to adjust anything?

The customer may be:

• busy;
• comparing options;
• waiting for approval;
• coordinating with a spouse;
• checking the budget;
• deciding which items to complete first.

Helpful follow-up increases trust.

Pressure usually reduces it.

How to handle proposal revisions

Not every proposal will be approved on the first version.

A customer may ask to:

• remove an item;
• split the job into phases;
• change the material;
• add another area;
• adjust the schedule;
• change the payment terms.

Avoid finalizing those changes only in scattered messages.

Update the proposal or create a new version according to your company’s process.

The technician and office team need to know which version was approved.

The approved scope should be the one used to create the Job.

What should every service proposal include?

Use this structure:

• customer name;
• requested service;
• service address, when relevant;
• clear title;
• scope description;
• line items;
• quantities;
• pricing;
• total;
• exclusions;
• proposal expiration;
• payment terms;
• next step;
• contact for questions.

Depending on the service, include:

• estimated timeline;
• materials;
• access requirements;
• weather conditions;
• customer responsibilities;
• site-visit assumptions;
• preparation instructions.

The clearer the proposal, the smoother the job.

Proposals do not replace complex contracts

A visual proposal helps formalize commercial approval.

It is not a replacement for every type of legal contract.

Some projects may require:

• formal contracts;
• permits;
• insurance documentation;
• construction documents;
• legal terms;
• engineering documents;
• warranty agreements;
• compliance forms;
• multiple signatures;
• regulated approval workflows.

DunaHub’s lightweight e-signature helps with proposal approval.

It should not be treated as a complete legal-contract platform.

Use appropriate professional tools when the project requires them.

Can DunaHub proposals include photos or attachments?

Current DunaHub proposal documentation states that photos and attachments are not available inside proposals.

Proposals use text and line items.

That means photos, plans, PDFs, diagrams, or inspection documents should be shared through another approved process.

A proposal can reference those materials in the description.

Example:

This proposal is based on the photos provided by the customer on July 5 and the site visit completed on July 6.

The supporting documents should remain in the appropriate storage or communication channel.

How proposals connect to invoices and the customer portal

The proposal is one part of the customer journey.

After approval and service completion, the company can create a DunaHub Invoice.

The invoice can include:

• customer;
• line items;
• quantities;
• prices;
• total;
• payment status;
• public link.

The DunaHub Customer Portal can give the customer access to supported records such as:

• proposals;
• invoices;
• payments;
• service history.

This reduces repeated questions such as:

• Can you send the proposal again?
• Where is the invoice?
• Did I already pay?
• What was included last time?
• When was the previous service?

The customer has one private link for the available history.

How proposals help recurring-service businesses

Recurring-service companies can use proposals for:

• new service packages;
• upgrades;
• renewals;
• add-on work;
• seasonal services;
• maintenance agreements;
• project phases;
• commercial accounts.

Examples:

A cleaning company sends a proposal to convert a one-time service into recurring weekly cleaning.

A landscaping company sends a proposal for seasonal cleanup plus monthly maintenance.

A property-maintenance company sends a proposal for additional approved repairs.

A pool company sends a proposal for equipment replacement in addition to regular service.

The proposal documents each commercial change.

How to use proposals to increase average ticket size

A clear proposal can present options.

For example:

Option 1: Basic

Includes the customer’s original request.

Option 2: Recommended

Includes the original request plus an important improvement.

Option 3: Complete

Includes the broader scope that solves more of the customer’s needs.

For pressure washing:

• Driveway only;
• Driveway + sidewalk;
• Driveway + sidewalk + patio.

For HVAC:

• Repair;
• Repair + maintenance visit;
• Repair + annual maintenance plan.

For landscaping:

• Cleanup only;
• Cleanup + mulch;
• Cleanup + mulch + recurring maintenance.

Keep options simple.

Too many choices can confuse the customer.

How to standardize proposals across your team

When every employee writes estimates differently, the company loses consistency.

Create standards for:

• service names;
• descriptions;
• exclusions;
• material notes;
• payment terms;
• expiration dates;
• warranty language;
• follow-up messages;
• approval process.

Example standard wording:

This proposal includes the services listed above only. Additional work, hidden conditions, materials not listed, or customer-requested changes may require a revised proposal.

Standardization helps:

• train new employees;
• reduce errors;
• protect margins;
• improve customer clarity;
• make approved work easier to schedule.

What to review before sending a proposal

Before sending, check:

• customer name;
• service address;
• service type;
• line items;
• quantities;
• unit prices;
• total;
• exclusions;
• proposal expiration;
• payment terms;
• grammar;
• customer-specific notes;
• correct lead;
• next step.

A proposal mistake can create:

• lost trust;
• reduced margin;
• rework;
• scheduling confusion;
• billing disputes.

A quick review can prevent larger problems.

How much do DunaHub proposals cost?

Current DunaHub Plans and Pricing use flat company pricing.

Plan	Monthly price	Proposals
Free	$0	10 per month, no e-sign
Starter	$9.90	Unlimited, with e-sign
Pro	$49	Unlimited, with e-sign

Free lets a small business start organizing proposals without paying for a separate estimating tool.

Starter and Pro are better for companies that send estimates regularly and need online approval.

Which plan should you choose?

Free

Free may fit:

• owner-operators;
• new contractors;
• lower estimate volume;
• companies testing online proposals;
• businesses sending up to 10 proposals per month.

Starter

Starter may fit:

• small service teams;
• companies sending estimates weekly;
• businesses that need lightweight e-signature;
• teams with up to five users;
• contractors that want approved proposals to create Jobs.

Pro

Pro may fit:

• growing teams;
• companies with more than five users;
• businesses using multi-step automations;
• companies with higher proposal volume;
• operations involving office, sales, and field staff.

The right plan depends on proposal volume, team size, and operational needs.

What happens after the proposal is approved?

Approval should not be the end of the workflow.

It should start service delivery.

After approval:

1. Confirm the date;
2. Create or review the Job;
3. Assign the technician;
4. Verify the address;
5. Add operational notes;
6. Confirm with the customer;
7. Complete the work;
8. Send the invoice;
9. Request a review.

DunaHub helps keep this process connected.

The sale does not sit in one system while the work happens somewhere else.

Common proposal mistakes

Sending only a price

The customer does not understand what is included.

Writing vague descriptions

“Full service” may mean different things to the company and the customer.

Forgetting exclusions

The customer may assume something is included.

Not separating line items

The proposal becomes harder to adjust.

Not following up

The customer may forget or need clarification.

Not recording approval

The team relies on informal messages.

Failing to create a Job

The approved work never becomes an operational task.

Not updating the proposal after changes

The technician may execute the wrong version.

Promising dates too early

Scheduling should be confirmed before making firm promises.

Using attachments without a clear process

Supporting documents should be stored and shared consistently.

Proposal checklist for service businesses

• Select the correct lead;
• Confirm customer information;
• Use a clear title;
• Add line items;
• Write plain-language descriptions;
• Add quantities;
• Review pricing;
• Confirm the total;
• Explain what is included;
• Explain what is not included;
• Add expiration date;
• Include next steps;
• Review spelling and grammar;
• Send the proposal link;
• Confirm the customer can open it;
• Track whether it was viewed;
• Follow up;
• Record rejection reasons;
• Convert approval into a Job;
• Create the invoice after completion.

Summary: a good proposal is more than a nice-looking estimate

A professional proposal helps the customer make a decision.

It organizes:

• what will be done;
• how much it costs;
• which items are included;
• which exclusions apply;
• how the customer approves;
• what happens next.

With DunaHub, the proposal stays connected to the CRM.

The workflow becomes:

Lead enters → Proposal is created → Customer views it → Customer approves → Job is created → Work is completed → Invoice is sent

Your company avoids losing estimates in old messages, reduces confusion, and turns customer approval into scheduled work.

Visual proposals are not only about making estimates look better.

They help you sell with more clarity and deliver with more confidence.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does DunaHub include online proposals?

Yes. DunaHub lets service businesses create visual proposals with line items, descriptions, quantities, and prices.

Can I send a proposal by link?

Yes. Each proposal has a public page that can be sent to the customer.

Does the customer need an app?

No. The customer opens the proposal link.

What statuses are available?

Proposal statuses include draft, sent, viewed, approved, and rejected.

Can customers approve proposals online?

Yes, on plans that include lightweight e-signature.

Does the Free plan include e-signature?

No. Free includes 10 proposals per month without e-signature.

How many proposals are included on Free?

Free includes 10 proposals per month.

Does Starter include unlimited proposals?

Yes. Starter includes unlimited proposals with e-signature.

Does Pro include unlimited proposals?

Yes. Pro also includes unlimited proposals with e-signature.

Is DunaHub e-signature the same as DocuSign?

No. DunaHub provides lightweight proposal approval that captures IP address and user agent. It is not DocuSign or ZapSign.

Can proposals include photos or attachments?

Current documentation says photos and attachments are not available in proposals. Proposals use text and line items.

Can an approved proposal become a Job?

Yes. Approval can automatically create a Job with prefilled information.

Can I create proposals for estimate visits?

Yes. You can create proposals for site visits, diagnostics, installations, repairs, maintenance, or full service jobs.

Can proposals be used for recurring services?

Yes. They can be used for service packages, renewals, maintenance agreements, upgrades, and add-on work.

Can I send proposals by text?

Yes. You can send the proposal link by SMS.

Can I send proposals by email?

Yes. The proposal link can be shared by email.

Can I send proposals by WhatsApp?

Yes. The public proposal link can be shared through WhatsApp.

Does a proposal automatically create an invoice?

No. The approved proposal can create a Job. The invoice can be created later according to the company’s workflow.

Does DunaHub replace legal contracts?

No. DunaHub proposals help with commercial approval, but complex legal contracts may require separate tools and professional review.

Can I track rejected proposals?

Yes. The rejected status helps your team understand lost opportunities and improve future proposals.

Does DunaHub charge per user?

No. DunaHub uses flat company pricing within the user limits of the selected plan.

Send clearer proposals and turn approvals into scheduled jobs

Your company does not need to sell through scattered text messages, lost PDFs, and informal approvals.

Create your free DunaHub account, create your first visual proposal, and turn approved estimates into organized Jobs.