A takeoff is a way of going over a plan view, adding general items (allowances), and later replacing them with exact icons. Follow the steps below to create a takeoff with visual quoting.
Create allowances
To start, you will want to make some allowances for some general products. In this case, I will create an allowance for an in-ceiling speaker, television, and security camera.
You will want to make sure you set a category for each allowance. This will determine the icon set on the allowance when adding to the quote. More on creating an allowance here.
Add allowances to a quote
After we have created the allowances for the items we commonly quote, we can start a quote. Let's go to the Visual Design Quoting within the quote.
First, let's add a floor plan. (If you don't have one, you can still continue!)
Next, let's draw out the locations on the floor plan - if you don't have a floor plan, you can draw your own 😊
Now, let's search for the allowances we created. You can type in the name of the allowance or search "allowance."
Click the item you want to add, and click the "Click to Add" button
Now, just click everywhere you want to add that allowance.
Replace allowances with products
After we have added all the allowances for the generic products to the visual quote, we can come back and replace them with the exact items. This will give the option to replace one at a time or replace all at once. Here, I will replace all speakers with Sonance VP64R speakers.
First, select the allowance you want to replace
Click the replace button in the sidebar
This will ask you which item you would like to replace with
Choose if you want to replace it in all locations or if you want to replace it in specific locations. (in the example below, I turned off garage speakers to get weatherproof speakers)
Remember, building the visual quote will show that you add the items into the appropriate locations (if you draw the locations) and will build your quote as you go.
