The estimate block and formulas

Prices for each answer

Under "Prices for each answer", every choice question above the block lists its options with a price box each. That's often the whole estimate: a single choice counts as the price of the option picked, a multiple choice as the sum of those picked.

The formula

"Price =" takes a formula over your questions' names, like sq ft × $12. Pick a question from "Add to the formula" and it's named for you; a question's name is in its settings, under "Name in formulas". A formula can use:

• numbers, with or without a dollar sign
• + − × ÷ (or *, / and x), and parentheses
• min( ) and max( ) with as many values as you like, and round( ) with one
• if stairs then 1200 else 0, on a yes-or-no question. Put a sum inside a branch in parentheses.

Questions a formula can read are numbers, ratings, choices, dropdowns and yes-or-no questions, and only when they're above the block. Question types says how each one counts.

Starting amount, limits and rounding

• "Starting amount" is added to every price, like a call-out fee.
• "Never below" and "Never above" keep the price between two amounts. Blank means no limit.
• "Round to" rounds to the nearest $1, $10, $50 or $100.
• "Currency": USD, CAD, EUR, GBP, AUD or NZD.

The order is fixed: the starting amount plus the formula, then the limits, then the range, then the rounding.

What it's called and how it shows

"Call it" picks the words: An estimate ("About $4,650"), A ballpark ("Ballpark: $4,650") or A starting price ("Starting at $4,650"). "Show it as" picks the shape:

• One number.
• A range, plus or minus a percent (10% unless you change it): "About $4,200 to $5,100".
• A range from two formulas, "Low =" and "High =".

A starting price is always one number. Under the price, people see what it was worked out from, like "320 sq ft of cedar with stairs", and that it's an estimate, not a quote.

When an answer won't do

Until there's enough to work with, people see "Your estimate shows here as you answer." It stays that way, rather than showing something wrong, when a needed answer is empty, a choice has no price, or the math can't be done (dividing by zero, or a price below zero). In the builder the block says "The formula needs fixing." when the formula itself has a problem, and the formula box names it: "We don't know "boards". You can use: sq ft, stairs.", or "Check the formula near …".

The email ask

Once a price shows, the block offers "Want this emailed to you?" with Email me this estimate. The price always comes first; the ask is never in front of it. Under the button, the consent line says what will happen: the estimate now, and one reminder in a few days. Where the law asks for a tick instead (the EU, the UK, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland, and forms you set to ask first), it's an unticked box. Reminders and consent has the details.

Hiding the price

"Hide the price" collects the answers and leaves the price to you. People see "{Your name} will send you a price within a day.", and no price, formula or option price reaches their browser. The form needs a required email or phone question so you can reply.

What you see

Our server works the estimate out again on every save, so the number in your results is the one the person saw. Results show it with what it was worked out from; the CSV has Estimate and Estimate inputs columns. A range is stored and counted at its low end (how we count).