Material Cost Tracker & Proposal Generator
A done-for-you construction automation built for the Construction Estimator, connecting Airtable, Google Sheets, and PandaDoc so the work below happens on its own.
What this automation does, step by step
When an estimator finalizes a takeoff, the system checks current supplier pricing via API or a regularly updated price sheet, calculates material costs automatically, applies the configured labor and overhead markup, and generates a formatted proposal document ready to send.
Any material that has spiked significantly in price since the last update is flagged in red so the estimator knows before a proposal goes out the door at the wrong number.
- Estimating software (e.g., Buildxact or ProEst)
- Zapier or Make.com
- Google Sheets or Airtable (current pricing database)
- PandaDoc or Proposify (proposal generation)
Using different software? We build around what you already have, so you never have to switch tools to automate.
The manual way vs. the automated way
Without automation
The manual version of this puts the entire workload on a construction estimator, who has to juggle phone calls, emails, and spreadsheets just to keep things moving. None of it is difficult, it's just slow, repetitive, and easy to fall behind on.
With this automation
- Instant first response by text and email on every new inquiry
- Follow-up cadences that stop the moment a lead replies
- Stalled-deal alerts before a pipeline quietly goes cold
- Clean CRM records without manual data entry
Often built alongside this one
Unsigned Estimate Follow-Up Sequence
Once an estimate or bid is sent to a prospective client, this automation starts a follow-up clock, and if the estimate hasn't been signed within 3…
Guest Pass Follow-Up Sequence
Someone who uses a guest pass automatically receives a follow-up offer a few days later inviting them to join as a full member, timed while their…
Trade Show Lead Follow-Up Automation
Badge scans and business card captures from the show floor, collected through a lead-retrieval app or a JotForm survey at the booth, sync…
Unsigned Estimate Follow-Up Sequence
When an estimate is sent but sits unsigned for 48 hours, this automation kicks off a staged follow-up sequence: a check-in text asking if the…
Missed Call & After-Hours Lead Recovery System
Every missed call to the firm's main line triggers an automatic text back to the caller within two minutes, acknowledging the call and asking what…
Cross-Sell Opportunity Alert
When client data in the CRM suggests a relevant additional service, a new homeowner without a policy on file, a growing business without a…