Hi... how do I write an estimate on self employed?

Hi there, rcoffmanpaint.

Thank you and welcome here in QuickBooks Community. 

Currently, writing an estimate in QuickBooks Self-Employed is still unavailable. For now, the only option available is to save the invoice as a draft and get back to it later on whenever you're ready.

Here's how:

1. Select Invoices from the left menu and choose Create invoice.
2. Select an existing customer, or create a new one by entering their name, address, and email address.
3. Decide when you want to be paid by and set the date in Due Date field.
4. Select Add product & service to add items or services you sold. Enter a description of the service.
5. Select Flat rate or By hour from the drop-down menu. Or select By item if you're charging for a product. Enter an amount. Then select Add to invoice.
6. To add more items to the invoice, select Add work.
7. When you're ready, hit Save as draft.

For additional information, you can click this article: Create an invoice in QuickBooks Self-Employed.

However, if an estimate is necessary, I suggest upgrading your service to the QuickBooks Online version. Then, visit the Setup and use estimates article. It provides everything you need to know about the feature.

Don't hesitate to post again whenever you have additional questions about QBSE. I’m here to make sure you’re taken care of. Have a great rest of the day.

@rcoffmanpaint 

Should you need to create an estimate as one your business process', you should migrate to QB Online.

https:// quickbooks.grsm.io/US

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Otherwise you may utilize the estimate feature available in a payment service app (e.g PayPal). You may need another app should prefer your customer approve your Estimate and send the invoice automatically. 

So, in order to send what is essentially an invoice with some language changed ("Estimate" instead of "Invoice") we have to pay almost twice as much for a package that has more features than we need as self-employed users?

Would be great to be able to send quotes to potential clients and be able to keep track of that. Saving a draft of an invoice is not the same. Are there plans to include this feature in the future?

Hi KHMoDesign!

I understand that you need to issue an estimate. Let me assist you.

QuickBooks Self-Employed is designed only to track the income and expenses of your self-employment. This is the reason the estimate isn't available in this version.

Although we can't tell if there's a plan or when this will be added, you'll want to send feedback about this and let our developers know that you need it. Click the Assistant button, enter Feedback, then select Add a feature.

If you need more accounting features, QuickBooks Online is recommended. Visit this page to see the differences and pricing: https://quickbooks.intuit.com/pricing/.

Also, you can check this link on how to upgrade from QuickBooks Self-Employed to QuickBooks Online: Switch from QuickBooks Self-Employed to QuickBooks Online.

Comment again below if you need more help. Take care!

@KHMoDesign 

Check your PM. Hope it helps.