Overview
You’ll find the Copy Estimate button on the Costings tab of an estimate, in either a lead or a job. It copies the complete estimate, including costings, cost options, Request for Quotes (RFQs), parameters, takeoffs and specifications, to a different lead. This saves you from rebuilding an estimate from scratch for a similar or replica project, such as an identical home on an adjacent lot.
From a lead: Leads > open the lead > Estimates > Costings
From a job: Jobs > open the job > Estimate > Costings
Copy Estimate vs. Duplicate Estimate
In JACK, our suggested workflow is one lead per project. Copying an estimate to its own lead keeps each project separate, including its proposals, client, documents and, if it goes ahead, the job it converts into.
Copying and duplicating do different things. Duplicating an estimate creates a new version under the same lead. This works well for pricing options on the same project, such as a version with a pool. You’ll find Duplicate by clicking the traffic lights icon next to the estimate on the Estimate Versions list. Copying an estimate creates a full copy on a different lead. Use this for a separate project, so the two don’t get mixed up in your pipeline, schedule or job records. For more on versions, see How to Prepare an Estimate.
Copying the Estimate
Leads > open the lead > Estimates > Costings
Jobs > open the job > Estimate > Costings
Open the original lead or job.
Click the Estimates tab (Estimate in a job), then click Costings.
Click Copy Estimate on the right-hand side.
In the Copy Estimate to Lead pop-up, click the Select Sales Lead dropdown.
Select the lead you’re copying the estimate to.
Click Create Estimate.
Copied Estimate Content
Everything from the original estimate is copied to the new lead. This includes Costings, Cost Options, Request for Quotes, Parameters, Takeoffs and Specifications. The original estimate stays exactly as it was. For more on parameters, see Parameters in JACK.
Reviewing the Copied Estimate
Give the new lead and estimate clear names as soon as the copy is created. Use the lot number or street address so your team can easily tell the two apart, especially in the Estimate Pipeline and global Schedule.
Before sending anything out, review every tab on the new estimate. Update anything site-specific, such as site works, retaining, services and council fees. Even on an identical design, these often differ between lots.
⚠️ Request for Quotes copy across with their original status. An RFQ can show as SENT on the new lead even though nothing has gone out for this project, and the status can’t be changed back.
Treat every RFQ on the copied estimate as new. Check the recipients and attached plans, then resend it so suppliers and contractors know exactly which project they’re quoting on. Open the RFQ, then go to Supplier / Contractor Responses and use either option:
Click the traffic lights icon next to the company, then click Resend.
Click the company name to open Company Message and Response, then click Resend at the bottom of the page.
Your takeoff plans carry across with the copy. Check that you’re measuring from the correct plans for the new site.
Make all changes on the new copy only. That way, the original estimate stays accurate for the first project.
💡 If you build the same design regularly, turn the finished estimate into an estimate template. It gives you a clean starting point each time, without any project-specific details attached. See Creating an Estimate Template.