Approving an estimate is a one-click step for your client, and the result shows up on your side right away.
When you’d use this
This is the moment the whole workflow is built around. A client approving an estimate is what turns a quote into a job, and in Fee-Lion that approval is a button in their portal rather than a “sounds good” buried in an email thread. That gives you a timestamped record of what was agreed, and it locks the numbers so the invoice you raise later matches the quote they said yes to.
It is worth sending a client here (or just telling them “click the link, hit approve”) the first time you work together. After that they will not need reminding.
What the client does
- Open the portal from the magic link you sent.
- Open the estimate and review the details.
- Choose to approve or deny with a single click.
What happens on your side
The estimate’s status updates the moment your client acts, so you always know where things stand. Once an estimate is approved, you can move it forward and convert it into the next step of your workflow.
Tip: Not sure what your client will see? Preview the portal with view as client before you send the estimate.
FAQ
What if the client wants changes before approving?
They can deny the estimate, or simply tell you what to change in the portal discussion. You revise the estimate on your side and resend it; the new version replaces the old one in their portal.
Is an approval legally binding?
It is a clear, timestamped record that the client accepted the estimate as written, which is exactly what you want when a scope question comes up later. Whether that counts as a contract depends on your terms and your jurisdiction, so put your terms on the estimate.
Can I collect a deposit at approval?
Yes. Set a deposit percentage on the estimate and the deposit becomes payable in the portal once the client approves, so the yes and the first payment happen in the same sitting.
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