---
canonical_url: "https://buildwithwave.com/docs/workflows/self-pay-quotes"
title: "Quote self-pay customers on the spot"
description: "Hand your customer a clear number at the first visit with a share link or a PDF, so the conversation starts with the plan and the price."
group: "workflows"
lane: "how-to"
status: "published"
publishedAt: 2026-10-09
updatedAt: 2026-10-09
sidebarOrder: 20
tags: ["workflow"]
relatedSlugs:
  - "collaboration/share-links"
  - "estimates/customize-reports"
  - "estimates/discounts"
  - "estimates/export-pdf"
  - "workflows/put-wave-to-work"
sidebarLabel: "Self-pay quotes"
---

Give a customer the answer they came for: what the work includes and what it costs. With a quote in hand at the first visit, the conversation starts with the scope and the price, and the customer can decide with the full picture in front of them.

## How it works with Wave

1. **Describe the job on site.** On your phone, open the Home box or the job's chat, then type or tap the mic and say what you see. Add photos with the plus button. See [Use voice input](/docs/estimates/voice-input) and [Use Wave on your phone](/docs/get-started/use-wave-on-your-phone).
2. **Let Wave build the estimate.** Answer Wave's short questions. The estimate builds live on the **Estimates** tab, priced for the property's region. See [Make your first estimate](/docs/estimates/start-an-estimate).
3. **Adjust it together with the customer.** Tell Wave what to change, such as "take the closet out" or "add the hallway ceiling". Your edits show on the estimate right away. See [Edit a line item via chat](/docs/estimates/edit-line-item-via-chat).
4. **Settle on the number.** If you and the customer agree on a different amount, ask Wave, for example "Make it $8,500", and it adds a discount line that reaches that total. See [Add a discount](/docs/estimates/discounts).
5. **Add your terms.** Put payment terms in the Project notes so they print next to the numbers, for example "50% deposit required at start of work." See [Project notes](/docs/estimates/estimate-notes).
6. **Send it on the spot.** Choose **Export**, then pick one:
   - **Share link, Customer audience.** The customer opens a clean, branded, view-only page with no sign-in. It starts on **Client summary**, which shows quantities and one total. See [Share an estimate](/docs/collaboration/share-links).
   - **PDF.** Choose the **Client summary** report for a room-by-room scope and one total, then tap **Send PDF** on your phone to text or email it. See [Customize reports](/docs/estimates/customize-reports).
7. **Keep the job moving.** Move the job on the Jobs board and book the work on Timeline. See [Book a visit](/docs/jobs/book-a-visit).

## Tip

Choose the share link while you are still talking through the scope, since it shows the current estimate and any change you make appears right away. Once you and the customer agree, lock the estimate and send a PDF as the finished record. See [Lock and unlock an estimate](/docs/estimates/lock-unlock).

## Availability

PDF export and share links come with paid plans and are included in the free trial. See [Plans and limits](/docs/billing/plan-comparison).

## Related

- [Share an estimate](/docs/collaboration/share-links)
- [Customize reports](/docs/estimates/customize-reports)
- [Add a discount](/docs/estimates/discounts)
- [Export reports](/docs/estimates/export-pdf)
- [Put Wave to work in your workflow](/docs/workflows/put-wave-to-work)