Two related but separate documents. Both have line items, both have totals — but they sit at different points in the job.
An estimate is a quote
- Created before work starts.
- Editable until the customer signs (see Send an estimate and collect a digital signature).
- Doesn't deduct stock from inventory.
- Doesn't appear in revenue reports.
An invoice is a bill
- Created when work is complete (or when you're ready to charge — for deposits, for instance).
- Read-only once issued.
- Deducts stock from inventory for any parts on the invoice.
- Counts toward revenue, ARO and tax reports.
Estimate → Invoice
From a signed estimate, click Convert to invoice. All line items, prices, customer and vehicle info copy over. You can edit before issuing — useful if labour took an extra hour or you swapped a part.
Pro pattern: some shops always invoice the same as the signed estimate, making the customer's expectation match the bill exactly. Others adjust for what was actually done. Either is fine — pick one and stick to it.
Standalone invoices
You don't have to start from an estimate. For walk-in jobs you priced verbally, go straight to Invoices → Create invoice.
Invoice statuses
- Draft — built but not issued. Editable.
- Issued / Unpaid — sent to the customer; locked.
- Partially paid — at least one payment received, balance outstanding.
- Paid — settled in full.
- Cancelled — voided. If parts had been issued from stock, manually adjust them back via Stock movements — cancellation does not auto-return inventory.