AutoChain
Estimates

Send a branded estimate in seconds. Book it in with one click.

Build detailed, itemised estimates fast, with labour, parts and VAT calculated for you. Email or print them, see which are still waiting, and turn an accepted estimate into a job in one click.

Giving a customer a rough price on the phone is a recipe for disputes. AutoChain's estimate builder lets you put together a detailed, itemised quote quickly, with every labour line, every part and VAT calculated for you, and HaynesPro labour times if you have the add-on. Email it to the customer as a branded estimate or print it on A4. The estimates list shows which are still pending and which have been booked in, with age filters so you can follow up before an estimate expires. When the customer says yes, convert it into a job in one click with all the details already filled in.

  • First month free on the core plan
  • No card required
  • Set up in about 10 minutes
  • Cancel anytime
100+ UK garages

From independent bays to multi-site groups, built for the way you work.

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What's included

Every capability, at a glance

Everything on this page is in the core plan (£69.99/mo + VAT) unless it's marked as an add-on. SMS (£15/mo, 200 credits included) and HaynesPro (£49.99/mo per site) are optional add-ons. Prices exclude VAT.

  • Itemised labour and parts breakdown
  • HaynesPro labour times (HaynesPro add-on)
  • Branded estimate emails and A4 printouts
  • Track estimates pending booking and booked in
  • Filter by age to follow up before they expire
  • Convert to a job in one click
Start your free trial Book a demo First month free on the core plan. Add-ons are billed from day one. No card required.
How it works

Simple from day one

Setup takes about 10 minutes and there's no training course to sit through. Built for busy garages.

  1. Build the estimate

    Add labour lines and parts, set your rates and AutoChain calculates the total with VAT. With HaynesPro you can add published repair times as labour.

  2. Send it to the customer

    Email a branded estimate straight from AutoChain, or print an A4 copy with your logo and a clear breakdown.

  3. Follow up on pending quotes

    The estimates list separates pending estimates from those booked in, and age filters (48 hours, 5, 7 and 30 days, or expired) show which ones need a nudge.

  4. Convert to a job

    When the customer agrees, one click turns the estimate into a job. All parts and labour carry over, with no double entry.

Ready to see Estimates in your garage?

Why it matters

The real impact on your garage

  1. Fewer disputes

    An itemised estimate means you and the customer agreed on the price upfront, so payment conversations become much simpler.

  2. Faster job creation

    Converting an estimate to a job takes one click, because all the data is already there. No starting from scratch.

  3. Win more work

    A professional, branded estimate looks far more credible than a text message with a rough price, especially for larger jobs.

  4. Protect your margin

    Itemised estimates with your labour rates and parts prices mean the price you quoted is the price that carries onto the job.

  5. Nothing goes stale

    Estimates have a validity period (30 days by default) and the list shows which are about to expire, so you can follow up in time.

  6. Follow up on pending quotes

    See which estimates haven't been booked in yet and chase the customers who went quiet, rather than losing the job to a competitor.

FAQ

Estimates: common questions

Straight answers to what garages ask us about this feature.

Can customers approve an estimate online?

No. Estimates are sent by email or printed, and you book the work in when the customer agrees. Online approval with one tap is available for vehicle health checks, where customers accept or decline each recommended item.

How do I turn an estimate into a job?

Open the estimate and convert it. AutoChain creates the job with all the labour and parts carried over, and the estimate is marked as booked in.

How long is an estimate valid for?

Estimates are valid for 30 days by default, and you can change the validity period in your invoice and estimate settings.

Can I add HaynesPro labour times to an estimate?

Yes, with the HaynesPro add-on. Estimates use the same add work item window as jobs, including the HaynesPro tab.

Ready when you are

Run your garage smarter from today

Join 100+ UK garages, from single-bay workshops to multi-site groups, already streamlining jobs, customers, MOTs and online bookings with AutoChain from £69.99/mo + VAT.

  • Set up in about 10 minutes
  • No long-term contract
  • Cancel anytime