Change Orders and Partial Invoices in Quickbooks Online

@Roblansky

I would like to refer you this QuickBooks feedback requests link. The link should address all the issues regarding the Progress Invoicing function in QBO. The bottom line is it's not currently available in QBO.

http://feedback.qbo.intuit.com/forums/168199-quickbooks-online-feature-requests/suggestions/3865710-...

QuickBooks Premier desktop may be cumbersome for some but it's still the best buck for money in accounting software.

Thank you for your question, as I have had the same. I apologize for not being able to provide you with an answer, but it is my hope that if enough of the QBO users that have migrated from the desktop version complain about QBO's shortcomings then perhaps some improvements may come of it. I have used the desktop version for 25 years and am astounded as to the many features missing from the the online version. What we gain from the flexibility of accessing the QuickBooks program from any location is, unfortunately, overshadowed by it's lack of features and functionality. 

We are a contractor using QB Premier Contractor and would love to switch to QB Online but this is one thing we cannot do without. It has been 2 years since this post and still no change. I am not holding my breath...

This is not what we want you to feel, @JasonM1.

Rest assured, I'll take note of this behalf and pass it along to our product engineers. That way, they'll consider adding this in the future.

In the meantime, I recommend checking our QuickBooks Blog page to know what's new and latest updates in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

Also, in case you want to learn some tips and tricks on managing your QuickBooks Desktop (QBDT) software, you can check our Help articles page for reference.
 
Our door is always open to help you anytime. Do leave a post whenever you have other questions. Take care!

I second the fact that it's very frustrating QBO doesn't have a change order option.  We switched to it due to a company acquisition and wished we would have stayed with the desktop version.  It seems like a very simple thing to add and with most business (especially contractors) needing a CO function I would hope this is at the top of QB list to add.

I’m another voice that would greatly appreciate an added Change Order function. I actually thought there was one when I signed up for QuickBooks recently. Can anyone provide assistance on a good change order work around in QBO? 

Hi there, @DeanF.

We want this issue sorted out as soon as possible so you can use the change order feature in QuickBooks Online. Rest assured, I will be sending another feedback to our Product Engineers, so this will be considered in the future product enhancement.

You can always visit the QuickBooks Blog site to check the latest feature added to the application.

I'll appreciate your patience. If there's anything else you need in your account, don't hesitate to leave a comment below. I'll be here for you.

Another easier way to do this is to just add the line item of the new scope into your original estimate. When you are finished and try to save, you will have an option to record it as an addition to the project. so you will see on your estimate, what was added and the date it was added on the same estimate. see the picture below:

Jason, I work for a Landscaping company and we too wish we had the option to use Change Orders in QBO. We switched to QBO 2.5 years ago and it's been a nightmare ever since.  I would hold off on that switch for as long as possible (even if C.O.'s become available), the program is very different than the desktop version and extremely glitchy as many people can tell you.  I would switch back to the desktop version if I wasn't fearful of the problems that may cause.  The two programs shouldn't be owned by the same company as there are very few similarities.  I intend to warn as many people as I can and wish I did more research before I made the switch. All three of the CPA's I work with don't recommend that product to any of their clients. Months and even years have gone by with no fixes in sight for uploading bank transactions, for example. 

Agreed on all counts!

I love Quickbooks Desktop and really struggle with Online

I too await Change Orders like the good old days.

Antares

Hello Roblansky, 

May I inquire what company you are with? I work for a structural steel company that uses outside services for our structural shops. 

We are a small audio video and electrical contracting company and have the same issue.  When I add change orders to an existing estimate that already has invoicing against it, the Change order imported to the existing estimate breaks the previous invoicing links.  I have to import the change order to the estimate, delete any past invoices (record the date, inv #, and amount) and then recreate the progress from the beginning just to be able to create a new progressive invoice with the correct new amount due.   The existing links in progressive invoicing should not be broken when needing to add to an existing estimate!!!!!!

It’s been almost 3 years since this original post and still no movement by intuit to make Change Orders available in QBO.

We are a small contracting company and we also need Change Order ability, and were told this was available when we spoke with a representative prior to making our purchase.  We are too vested to switch to a different software and do not think we should pay for a separate service just to have Change Orders.  Not too happy with our purchase at this point as many things we specifically asked about and were told are available in QBO are not.

I agree with everything you said. I am a small electrical contractor.  I can't stand having to make a separate change orders outside of quickbooks.   Making one change order messes everything up.  Since the change orders I make are outside of Quickbooks there's no tracking of transactions.  I have to do most tracking manually.   If the change is an additional I can make a separate invoice for it.   That doesn't make things to crazy.   When I have to make a change that deducts from the contract price though, really throws a wrench into the works.   Pretty please with a cherry on top add the ability to make change orders in quickbooks online.   The lack of this ability has made me seriously consider switching accounting programs.   I don't have the problems the poster above has because we are so small.   Change orders are an absolute necessity for every contractor or there.   I would love to know what other contractors are doing for change orders. 

Agreed that Change Orders is a must have for QB-Online.  Seriously thinking about dropping it soon if the feature is not added.

I found this work around on you (censorme) tube that I am going to try.  Not sure if the customer will accept it if presented in this manner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tw5PxoXFGoE

Hello as contractors we would all benefit from a change order form so we can track all interactions through this software. It's really discouraging to not have this option since it is vital in our invoicing process. If not we will have to switch software.  

Any update to this? We pay for other software for job tracking and invoicing that we want to get rid of but need the change order option. Intuit is quick to add things like their online payment check boxes on our invoicing but cannot take a moment to add a needed service. I bet they would take action if they knew how many clients want this feature.

This thread should not be marked as "Solved"...

Thanks for joining us here in the thread, @AndrewWernicke. Here's what I know about this matter.

The feature you're attempting to access is currently unavailable. You can consider using a 3rd party app that can be found in your QuickBooks Online Account to perform this feature. I'll show you how:

1. On the left navigational bar, select the Apps tab.
2. In the search bar, type the keyword "Change Order"
3. Click the Search icon.
4. Once you find the 3rd party that best suits your needs, click on it and then add it to your QuickBooks subscription. Please note that not all third-party apps are free.

You can also use the keyword "Job tracking" in case you'd like to integrate it to your QBO account.
 

 For visual reference, you can refer on the screenshot provided below. 

I'll be adding these related articles that'll help you in the future:

• Manage invoices
• Change sub-customers into projects

Meanwhile, I'll make a note of it and send it to our Product Development Team as feedback. While we strive to improve your QuickBooks Online experience, I recommend visiting our QuickBooks Online Blog for the most up-to-date news, information, features, and updates.

I'm just a click away if you need further help with this. You can also leave a comment down below if you have additional QuickBooks-related questions. I'd be more than willing to help you. Keep safe and stay hydrated!

when is this going to be added to QBO?

Good evening, @Slevy7. 

Thanks for joining in on this thread. 

At time time, there isn't a specific date set for this to be added. 

However, our QuickBooks Blog gives out all the new information and details about updates that are happening in QuickBooks Online. 

I'm only a post away if you need me again. Bye for now! 

QBO should be embarrassed that they marketed it as an upgrade compared to Desktop. I have put in many inputs and comments to QB about all the features that Online is missing that Desktop has. Simple things like being able to have a column in our estimates/invoices that displays the units. (SF, SY, CF, CY, LS, EA, LF, etc.) Being able to complete change orders that can be submitted separately as a change order then later that can easily be added on to the invoice at a later time.  There are many different software's that are able to do this, so I know it can be done. 

This was 4 years ago and now you are discontinuing support for QuickBooks Premier Contractor Edition. I was required to upgrade to Enterprise because you STILL do not have these features online. This is getting really old. I would much prefer to use QBO rather than dealing with the disaster that the on-prem version is. You need to realize that you have contractors using the software with needs more than just a freelance photographer that just sends bills out. I use the software for estimates, when i get a job approval i change it to a sales order and make change orders and purchase orders from here, then invoice at the end of the job. This functionality needs to be integrated into QBO, STAT!!

This was 4 years ago and still no change. I was just recently forced to upgrade to Enterprise because you are discontinuing support for Premier Contractor Edition. This is unacceptable. We use estimates for quoting, when a quote is accepted we change it to a Sale Order, from there we create PO's and change orders, at the end of the job we invoice. Not everyone that uses your software is basic and it seems as though you have forgotten this. We need this functionality ASAP so we can move off of the antiquated on-prem Desktop versions...