How to add markup to estimate?

Hello there, @reidbuiltdesigns.

Thank you for choosing QuickBooks as your accounting partner. I can help you add a markup in your estimates.

1. Click the Plus icon.
2. Choose Estimates.
3. On the Product/Service section, click Add New.
4. Select Service.
5. Set up the item.
6. Click Save and Close.
7. Enter the markup amount.
8. Enter the estimate information.
9. Click Save.

That's it. Keep me posted if there's anything else you need or you have follow up questions. I'm still here to help you more. Have a wonderful day!

In desktop I use a column for the cost, the markup and the price - I don't display\print the cost and markup columns in my client billings - is there a way to achieve something like that in QBO?

OK, I think I follow. I generate a 30 or 40 line estimate, with markups on almost every item. So I would just highlight the enire array of line itmes, then turn off display of markups for the entire estimate?

Welcome back to the Online Community, @mkennedy2000.

Unchecking the Show markup on billable expenses option only applies to invoices. Alternatively, create the estimate first and send it to your customer.

After emailing it, update the transaction's information and add the markups. This way, your customer will not see the information.

Since you switched over to the online version, I’m adding a link where you can find video tutorials to help get started: Training Videos and Webinars.

If there's anything else I can help you with, post a comment below. I'll be right here to assist further. Have a good one.

Ahhhh, silly me - I didn't read the response thoroughly, and just assumed the response and directions were on topic and related to estimates. Thanks for clarifying that, it's a deal breaker for me and was about to take the time to migrate and test drive QBO - again.

That single thing is standing in the way of using QBO for my business :(

Seriously, this isn't an answer to this common need for any business that resells buyouts. 

Create the estimate, email it, then update it? Create a new service *every* time I want to add markup to a buyout expense? Please. Could it be less efficient?

I demand to know why QBO can't match QB desktop's option to add markup to a buyout expense, have the client see only the final estimated cost, and track the markup income. Just give us the column back as it was in desktop and make everyone's work easier.

Has Quickbooks added a way to add % markups to an estimate other than entering an additional line item for each? I am reading that this is something customers have been requesting for some time and was available in desktop but not online!

Thank you for posting here in Community, @Elizabeth 1.

As for now, the only way to add a markup to an estimate is to enter an additional line item. But this is a great suggestion, rest assured that this will be escalated to our developers to have another way of adding % markup.

In the meantime, you can follow the steps above given by my colleague HoneyLynn_G on adding a markup.

For your future reference, click the article on how to enter a billable expense. Enter billable expenses.

Feel free to fill me in if there’s anything else you need, I’ll be glad to help. Have a good day!

Thank you for escalating this. This is a function that is critical, especially when we use multiple invoices from one estimate. 

They are never going to fix this because they can't do it

I would like to know in the QB desktop version how you can print out an estimate or invoice to show the markup on it.  I want to see what I am making on each item so it will help me with my subs in negotiating a price with them.  Is there a way to do this as when I print it out or email it it removes that column and I would like it to be there for my own purposes.  Can anyone help me please.

Great to have you here, toddshoemaker.

QuickBooks Desktop hides markups from the customer by printing only the price or rate after the markup. If you want your customers to see the markup, just customize your estimates so that the original cost and markup appear when printing your estimates. Just follow the steps below:

1. Go to Lists on the top menu.
2. Choose Templates.
3. Select template for Estimate, 
4. Tap the Additional Customization button. Then, tick the Columns tab.
5. In the Markup row, select the Print check box.
6. Enter a name for the template and press OK.

If you want to hide the Markup column when printing and from your customer, just choose the Screen option only. Just go back to the Columns tab in the Additional Customization page. 

On the other hand, QuickBooks Desktop has a default markup percentage. Where it uses this percentage to calculate the sales price of items that have both a cost and a sales price. If you'll want to hide MarkUp on Invoice, just select the "Print selected time and costs as invoice item" at the bottom. See attached screenshot below for reference.

However, you can't edit the markup percentage when creating an invoice. I've added these articles for additional reference. It provides steps on how to manage your templates in QuickBooks:

• How to customize invoices, estimates, and sales receipts
• Import custom form styles for invoices or estimates

I'll be right here to continue helping if you have any other concerns or questions about QuickBooks. Assistance is just a post away.

Todd, I have a template I call hard costs. It is all red type to help avoid printing or sending it a customer or sub. In that template I have print my anticipated cost for each item such as plumbing or electrical. I split the line into labor and materials lines when needed.

This functionality is critical to so many business and I can't quite believe that it isn't one of the core functionalities of QuickBooks online. Please add this as a feature ASAP. I am desperate for it, and I am sure it will sell many more licences to new customers.

Has there been any update on this? This function would be very helpful!

Hi @LCP Builds,

I'll answer this query for you about a feature request in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

This specific feature of being able to add markups to estimates in QBO is unavailable at this time. There isn't a specific time as to when it will be released as well. 

I suggest you keep an eye on this page: The QuickBooks Blog. It lists new features that are released each month. For November 2020, QBO has a wizard available to assist with preparing your 1099s. It also has custom tags that you can use on the Banking page.

If there's anything else I can assist you with about estimates or any other features in QBO, let me know. Tag me in the comments below, and I'll handle it for you. 

Ok.  So what you're saying is that I need to grab a calculator and calculate the markup on every, single, item????  Seriously?  Why not just call up engineering and say "Hey guys.  Add a markup column to estimates and invoices."  Or send an email.  Or just walk over there.  Seriously.  ADD THIS FEATURE!  NOW!!!!!

This is ridiculous.  This online version is sold to contractors but doesn't allow markups on each line item so we can work with subs & suppliers without the customer seeing our profit margin?  Unbelievable to me.  Figure it out Quickbooks!!

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@Ryan_M wrote:

Hi @LCP Builds,

 

I'll answer this query for you about a feature request in QuickBooks Online (QBO).

 

This specific feature of being able to add markups to estimates in QBO is unavailable at this time. There isn't a specific time as to when it will be released as well. 

 

I suggest you keep an eye on this page: The QuickBooks Blog. It lists new features that are released each month. For November 2020, QBO has a wizard available to assist with preparing your 1099s. It also has custom tags that you can use on the Banking page.

 

If there's anything else I can assist you with about estimates or any other features in QBO, let me know. Tag me in the comments below, and I'll handle it for you. 

---

I agree. It is unbelievable that QB appears to be able to add markups but when you get in there and try to do it you spent months trying to figure it out when actually it won't do what you need in the first place.  They just sell you something more time consuming (but prettier) than a papertowel and pen.

Is there any update on this functionality yet for the estimate statements or format within QBO?

Thank you for joining this thread, @jeffhhpllccpas.

Markup only applies to vendor bills, expenses, or timesheets. Adding markup to estimates will cause confusion since this form usually is what customers see and approves when you sent them. If you want to add billable expenses/ time in the estimates this is currently unavailable. The workaround you can use for this is to add a service item and enter the markup amount on your estimates. To do so, you may follow the steps provided by my colleague, @HoneyLynn_G.

Then, I encourage you to visit our QuickBooks Blog site so you'll be updated about the latest news and product developments. 

Also, QBO makes it easy to personalize your sales forms. For the detailed instructions, see this article: Customize invoices, estimates, and sales receipts in QuickBooks Online. 

Feel free to post here again if you need further assistance in adding markup items in QuickBooks. I'll be always around if you need help. Have a good one.

Why is this still a capability in Quickbooks desktop, but not Quickbooks online then?

This lack of functionality has to be one of the most pathetic efforts in any accounting system I have seen.

The most fundamental question: "HOW MUCH MONEY AM I MAKING ON THIS QUOTE?" can not be answered by QB Online!

There have been many threads about this issue.

Is there any intentions to fix this?

Or do we have to reach out to Social Media and start a publicity-and-boycott campaign?

What does my monthly $50-some dollars give me?