How to Integrate Clear Estimates with QuickBooks?

The term “quantity takeoff” is not widely recognized outside the construction industry, yet it plays a vital role in these projects. Accurately determining the quantities and cost of materials and labor required is essential for effective budgeting, resource allocation, and overall project management. Most construction management applications have in-built takeoff features which ultimately contribute to the successful completion of the construction project. Clear Estimate is a well-regarded construction estimating software, built specifically for remodelers and contractors. It helps users create detailed estimates, bid requests, draft proposals, and manage customer information.

While Clear Estimates does not offer direct quantity takeoff (QTO) features, it allows users to generate comprehensive cost approximations by measuring and listing the materials and labor needed for a project. Regardless, it is a commonly used service within the construction industry due to its user-friendly interface and extensive feature set. Some of its standout capabilities include:

• Extensive Database: The database includes over 15,000 line items with locally adjusted costs for materials and labor across multiple areas within the US.
• Mobile Access: Accessible from any device with an internet connection including tablets and smartphones.
• Reports and Proposals: The platform enables users to create a variety of reports and proposals related to the project and its various components.
• Accurate Pricing: The database mentioned earlier is updated every three months to have the latest region-specific material and labor prices.
• Project Templates: The application offers users over 160 project templates to streamline the estimating process.
• Customizable Proposals: Users can generate professional-looking proposals with their logos, scope of work, and so on.

Additionally, Clear Estimates supports integration with a number of third-party applications like Dropbox for file storage and QuickBooks for accounting. These integrations help construction firms streamline various aspects of project management, from financial tracking to customer support.

The following sections of this blog will cover the steps to integrate Clear Estimates with QuickBooks and the benefits the integration brings to users.

Advantages of Integrating Clear Estimates with QuickBooks

Listed below are the most important perks of integrating Clear Estimates with QuickBooks.

• Construction firms can easily export estimate data directly into QuickBooks, which eliminates the need for manual data entry and the number of errors associated with it.
• The automatic sync ensures that your financial data is updated regularly, allowing organizations to make timely decisions regarding budget and resource allocation.
• Users can also generate comprehensive reports that combine construction project estimates with actual expenditures, providing organizations with valuable insights into project profits.
• The connection between the two services also centralizes and consolidates the data in one place, making it easier to track expenses, manage budgets, and analyze project performance.
• The integration also enables businesses to maintain clear communication with clients, fostering trust and satisfaction.

How to Integrate Clear Estimates with QuickBooks?

Clear Estimates integrates with both QuickBooks Desktop and QuickBooks Online, the steps mentioned below facilitate setting up an integration between Clear Estimates and QuickBooks Desktop. Make sure that the user performing the integration has admin access to QuickBooks to prevent errors. Follow these steps to integrate the services:

• Login to your Clear Estimates account and head to the Options page.
• Click Integrations and select Add for QuickBooks Desktop.
• Name your integration and click the Save button, located at the bottom right of the screen.
• Next, download the .qwc file and save it. The password to open the file is mentioned in the Current Company Config section, under QuickBooks desktop.
• Opening the QWC file prompts you to allow access all the time or when QuickBooks is open, select the appropriate option for your requirements.
• Download and install the QuickBooks Web Connector application. Click Select File within the tool upload the .qwc file, and enter the password if prompted.
• The connector will then prompt you to log in to QuickBooks, make sure to use the admin credentials to log in.

With this final step, users would have successfully created the connection between Clear Estimates and QuickBooks Desktop. You can start exporting estimates from the construction management platform to QuickBooks, as long as the accounting application is open.

Contact Apps4Rent for Optimized QuickBooks Integrations

It is fair to assert that construction professionals may not always possess advanced skills in digital processes, such as application integration. We each have our own strengths, and Apps4Rent’s abilities lie in creating seamless integrations between third-party applications and QuickBooks.

We are an Intuit Authorized Hosting provider that offers several unique QuickBooks Desktop hosting options in addition to our comprehensive integration services. We have helped hundreds of organizations elevate their workflows and operations by streamlining their IT systems and connections. Connect with our QuickBooks experts over chat, call, or text to streamline your Clear Estimates integration with QuickBooks.