Product Feature

How to turn an estimate into an invoice

There's a powerful solution at your fingertips: the FlumePay app. Whether you're a seasoned business or just starting out, Flume simplifies the entire process of converting estimates into polished invoices, streamlining your financial workflow and allowing you to focus on what you do best – delivering exceptional products and services.

Aug 10, 2023

By Grace Dela Cruz

As a business owner or freelancer, managing your finances and ensuring smooth interactions with clients is crucial. One of the most important steps in this process is transitioning from providing estimates to sending out professional invoices. This transition can often be a source of stress and confusion, especially if you're juggling multiple clients and projects simultaneously.

Fortunately, there's a powerful solution at your fingertips: the FlumePay app. Whether you're a seasoned business or just starting out, Flume simplifies the entire process of converting estimates into polished invoices, streamlining your financial workflow and allowing you to focus on what you do best – delivering exceptional products and services.

In this guide, we'll walk you through the seamless process of turning estimates into invoices using the FlumePay app. From creating and customizing estimates to generating professional invoices with just a few clicks, Flume empowers you to manage your financial transactions with ease. Say goodbye to the days of manual calculations and missed billing opportunities – Flume is here to transform your invoicing experience.


Key benefits of using Flume to manage your payments:

  • Get paid by ACH for free and seamlessly add card acceptance to your payment options 

  • Leave the checkbook at home and pay subcontractors/vendors with digital checks using just their name and email address

  • Get paid faster by offering your clients various options for making a payment 

  • Organize your payments by project 


How to convert an estimate into an invoice

See below for a video tutorial on how to create an estimate and convert it into an invoice: 



Step-by-step for how to create an estimate and convert it into an invoice:

  1. Click “Create” on the side menu

  2. Select "Estimate” 

  3. Choose a recipient from your network (or create and save one on the fly)

  4. Select your estimate expiration date

  5. Add your line item(s), or optionally use a flat amount

  6. If you add line items, you can optionally add notes, add an item specific discount, and select whether to apply a markup or tax to the item

  7. Enter  any markup amount, tax, shipping and discount information as applicable (note: the markup amount is only visible to you, and is seamlessly integrated into the line item pricing and total)

  8. Optionally add any supplemental notes you’d like to include with the estimate

  9. Optionally add any terms and conditions you’d like to include with the estimate 

  10. Optionally attach any supporting documents you want to provide with the estimate

  11. If your estimate is associated with a project you have created in Flume, select that project under “Details”

  12. Click “Save and continue” to review and double check your estimate information to make sure everything is correct

  13. Click “Send estimate”

  14. Once the Estimate is sent, you’ll see it (or can search for it) under the “Estimates” tab

  15. Click the estimate to open the details

  16. On the right hand side, click “Convert to invoice” 

  17. Click “Go to invoice” to review it 

  18. Double-check the details of your new invoice 

  19. If no changes are needed, click “Save and continue”

  20. Select your payment due date

  21. Choose the option requesting that your customer pay the invoice in full or partial payment

  22. If you have set up card acceptance, you can optionally select to allow payment by card for this request

  23. Click “Send”


We hope you found this guide useful! With Flume, our goal is to simplify your contracting business and keep it running smoothly. We encourage you to also review our guide on how to request digital payments to learn more on how to streamline your financial transactions in this new fast-paced digital world.