Submitting an Estimate or Bid on a Work Order (Service Provider)

Quick Video Tutorial: Start here!

Steps on Submitting an Estimate or a Bid

Click the work order number

From the Service Provider dashboard, click the Work Order number showing under the Action Required column.

Work order number on the Service Provider dashboard

Click Provide Work Order Update

To submit an estimate, click on Provide Work Order Update (the ⋯ button next to the main action button).

The more actions button opens Provide Work Order Update

Click Add Estimate

The page will be routed to options available to update the job. Click on Add Estimate.

Add Estimate in the work order update options

Enter the new total and reason

First, choose No, just one total. To send more than one option, see Send Repair and Replace Options below.

On this page, you will be asked to provide the estimated total cost for the work order. Type the amount under New Total and the reason for the budget increase under Reason for/Description of new estimate, then click Next.

Attach images or files

You can also attach an image or file by clicking on Choose Image/File. We highly recommend adding these, as most property managers request this information.

For detailed information on adding an image or a file, check this help guide:

Adding Images/Files to a Work Order (Service Providers)

Upload photos or documents to provide context or proof of completed work.

Click Send Estimate

Now that the images and files have been uploaded, you can submit your bid for the Property Manager to review by clicking on Send Estimate.

Click OK to return

Notice that the work order status is now Needs Owner Approval. To return to the main dashboard page, simply click on OK.

If you encounter any difficulties while submitting the estimate through your service provider dashboard, you can send an email to team@latchel.com.
Once the Property Manager approves the job and the resident completes the scheduling, the scheduling functions will be automatically sent to you if you’re approved for the job.

Send Repair and Replace Options

If there’s more than one way to fix the problem, you can send up to 5 options on one estimate. Each option can be Repair, Replace, or Other, and each has its own price and description. You can mark one option as recommended.

Choose Yes, multiple options

After you click Add Estimate, choose Yes, multiple options.

Fill in each option

Pick Repair, Replace, or Other, then enter the price and any details. Check I’d recommend this one for the option you recommend, then click Next.

Option type, price, details and recommend checkbox

Review your options

Review your options. Tap a star to change which option you recommend, or click +Add another option. Then click Next to attach files and send the estimate.

Estimate with a recommended Repair option and a Replace option

Options work the same way from the texting link as from your dashboard.
Photos and files attach to the whole estimate, not to a single option.
An estimate with one price is reviewed the same way as before. An estimate with more than one option always goes to the property manager, or the owner, to choose from. The price of the option they pick becomes the budget.

If You Need Time to Quote

If you need time to put an estimate together, the work order moves to Awaiting Estimate with a due date (3 days by default). Latchel follows up with you automatically.

Email Your Estimates and Invoices

You can also email or forward an estimate to estimates@inbox.latchel.com or an invoice to invoices@inbox.latchel.com. We find the matching work order and attach it for you.

Nothing emailed is auto-approved, including invoices.
If one email covers several work orders, send one email per work order. We won’t attach anything from a combined email.
If we can’t place your document, our team reviews it and attaches it by hand.