In this article, we’ll be discussing how to edit your boilerplate language. 

Boilerplate is contractual language you add to your proposal. It typically includes things like general conditions, warranties, liabilities, insurance waivers, design agreements, etc. Anything that needs to be transparent with the customer when signing an estimate can be added as boilerplate. 

Here's how it works!

Tutorial

How To

You can edit your boilerplate by heading to your Reports > Boilerplate.

Next, scroll to the bottom left and find Boilerplate Information. 

You’ll see that Clear Estimates has provided you with several samples. You can click each one to adjust the language inside, or remove them entirely by clicking the red X: 

When adjusting the text inside of your boilerplate, you’ll notice you have the option to:

• Bold, italicize or underline words
• Adjust font size for certain words
• Insert variables
• Insert lists
• Justify text left, center and right

Once you select a boilerplate, check which report you would like it to display on. 

Either the P (preliminary), F (formal) or S (subcontractor) proposals. You’ll see checkboxes for each report type.

In the example below, I have created a boilerplate that is only going to display on my Formal Report.

Custom Fields in Boilerplate
 

This feature will let you customize your reports & proposals for each customer!

When writing your boilerplate, you’ll now see a dropdown menu that says “Insert Variable.” From here you can insert fields such as Project Cost or your customer’s first name:

Use the “Insert Variable” drop down to select the field you want to use, then, use the bracket button to insert the field into your boilerplate:

When you add one of these fields, it will print something like this in the text box where your boilerplate is:

“[primaryFirstName]”.

On the report, this text will be automatically replaced by the customer’s first name, and it will change based on the project you are working on and the customer for that project. 

This means you can easily create very customized proposals for your customers. Let’s take an example.

If you type the following for a boilerplate paragraph:

The contractor shall provide all necessary labor and materials, and perform all work of every nature on the proposed remodeling job for [primaryFirstName] [primaryLastName] in accordance with this contract, the specifications, and the accompanying drawings. This contract relates to the job at [address].

Then this is what will show up on the report (depending on the customer information).

The contractor shall provide all necessary labor and materials, and perform all work of every nature on the proposed remodeling job for Stephen Sample in accordance with this contract, the specifications, and the accompanying drawings. This contract relates to the job at 14609 Clear Estimates Lane Happy Valley MN 55306 :

Then, be sure to select “Save Heading“.

Here is a list of all the fields we currently have available. Feel free to suggest others as well!

• Project Cost
• Project Date
• Project Name
• Primary First Name
• Primary Last Name
• Secondary First Name
• Secondary Last name
• Address
• Phone
• Email

That’s it! You’ve created your first boilerplate. Now, let’s take a look at what that looks like on our Formal report.

Click here for a quick video guide on setting up boilerplate!

Click here for more information on report settings!

For information about custom fields in boilerplate, click here!

We hope this helps!