> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.shortcutco.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.shortcutco.com/readme/start-here-get-set-up-send-a-proposal-and-get-paid/3-add-a-lead-and-send-a-proposal.md).

# 3) Add a lead and send a proposal

{% hint style="info" %}
Outcome: A customer receives an estimate they can accept.
{% endhint %}

### What you’ll do

* Add a lead (with contact info)
* Build an estimate using services or a template
* Send by email/SMS

### Steps

{% stepper %}
{% step %}

### Go to Leads

Open **Customers**. Your leads are listed there too.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Add a lead

Click **Add Lead**.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Enter contact and property info

Fill in first name, last name, email, phone number, and property location.
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Build the estimate

When you save the lead, Shortcut opens their profile. Click **Create estimate** at the top and add services. To price by square foot, measure the lawn from the **Location** card on the same page — see [Measure the lawn to price by square foot](/readme/proposals/how-to-create-and-send-a-proposal.md#measure-the-lawn-to-price-by-square-foot).

<figure><img src="https://2299783971-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOhi7KtJ4vY1pDKwWu5SV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a2b5b5df8b5a58e8c99d7934eb8c9c060a3e2884%2Fproposal-builder-base-services.png?alt=media" alt="The Create estimate page with the Base services search and Choose from template"><figcaption><p>Start the estimate from a lead and add the services to quote.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}

{% step %}

### Send the estimate

Click **Send** at the bottom of the estimate and choose email, SMS, or both.

<figure><img src="https://2299783971-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOhi7KtJ4vY1pDKwWu5SV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-5166c4e3359a376a5b0f9ff8d12583330c2b2c76%2Fproposal-send-delivery-options.png?alt=media" alt="Send proposal window with email and SMS delivery options"><figcaption><p>Choose how the customer should receive the estimate.</p></figcaption></figure>
{% endstep %}
{% endstepper %}

### Expected result

The estimate is sent and the person moves to **Customers → Estimate pending**, with a **Prospect** pill on their profile, while you wait for them to accept.

If they say yes on the phone instead, open their profile and click **Approve** at the top. See [Prospect management](/readme/leads-prospects-customers/prospect-management-approve-remind-void.md).

Haven't sent it yet? You can click **Approve** on the estimate page itself. The estimate locks, and **Schedule jobs** takes you straight to [step 4](/readme/start-here-get-set-up-send-a-proposal-and-get-paid/4-schedule-+-assign-the-job.md). See [Approve for the customer](/readme/proposals/how-to-create-and-send-a-proposal.md#approve-for-the-customer).

<figure><img src="https://2299783971-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2FOhi7KtJ4vY1pDKwWu5SV%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-4629731aeff69416be2d4623880779b69ae2da70%2Fproposal-public-preview.png?alt=media" alt="Customer-facing proposal preview"><figcaption><p>Preview what the customer sees before approval.</p></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="success" %}
Tip: send your first estimate to yourself once as a test (email or SMS), so you see what customers see.
{% endhint %}

<details>

<summary>Still stuck?</summary>

Email **<hello@shortcutco.com>** with the lead name + a screenshot of your estimate screen.

</details>