The Estimate Format tab controls how your estimates look and what information they show to customers. This guide walks through each section so you know exactly what you're configuring.
To access Estimate Formats, go to Settings > Estimate Formats. You can create multiple formats for different job types (e.g., local hourly, flat rate, commercial). Click the pencil icon next to any format to open the editor.
Text and formatting editor
You can fully customize your estimate formats directly from Settings — no need to contact Chariot Support to make changes. The editor supports rich text formatting across all text fields, including:
Text colors — highlight key information with custom font colors
Text highlighting — add background color behind text for emphasis
Bulleted and numbered lists — organize terms or instructions clearly
Custom spacing — control line and paragraph spacing for readability
Custom alignment — left, center, or right align text blocks
Headers and links — structure longer text sections and link to external resources
These formatting tools apply to the Introduction text, Terms & Conditions, and Valuation explanation fields.
Content fields
Format name — an internal label to identify this format (customers don't see this).
Custom title — what appears at the top of the customer-facing estimate (e.g., "Moving Estimate" or "Quote").
Introduction text — an opening message shown to the customer before the estimate details. Use this for a greeting, key job notes, or anything you want front and center.
Terms & Conditions — paste your company's terms here. These appear on every estimate using this format.
Valuation explanation — if you use the Valuation feature, this field lets you explain valuation options to customers in your own words.
Display settings
These control what the customer sees on the estimate PDF and signing page:
Estimate type — Sets the pricing model shown on the estimate: Non-Binding, Binding Rate (shows a single guaranteed price), or Not-to-Exceed (customer pays actual cost if it comes in lower). Choose based on how you price jobs.
Show charges — Controls whether each charge line item appears on the estimate or just the total. Hiding individual charges gives a cleaner look; showing them builds transparency with customers.
Show crew size — Whether the number of movers is displayed on the estimate.
Show truck information — Whether truck details appear on the customer-facing estimate.
Show inventory details — Whether the customer's inventory list is included on the estimate.
Show location details — Whether pickup and delivery addresses appear on the estimate.
Show sales owner info — Whether the assigned sales rep's name and contact info appear.
Signing and legal settings
Add estimator signature — Adds a signature field for your team. Useful for compliance in states that require a company representative signature.
Required checkboxes — Add statements the customer must acknowledge before signing (e.g., consumer guide receipt, valuation acknowledgment). See Adding Required Checkboxes to Estimates for details.
Terms and conditions — Paste your company's terms here to appear on every estimate using this format.
Default deposit settings
Each format can have a default deposit strategy that loads automatically when this format is applied to an estimate:
No deposit — no deposit is requested on signing.
Flat rate — a fixed dollar amount is requested.
Percentage of total — a percentage of the estimate total is requested.
Multiple of hourly estimate — deposit is calculated based on hourly rate.
Card on file — a card is saved but not charged at signing.
Tip: You can also override the deposit on any individual estimate without changing the format. On the estimate page, click Edit next to "Deposit" at the bottom to set a custom amount or method for that specific job. See How to Accept a Deposit Manually in Chariot for more detail.
Tip: create multiple formats
You're not limited to one format. Most companies set up at least two: one for local hourly jobs and one for long distance or flat-rate jobs. Each format can have different display settings, signing requirements, deposit rules, and text styling — so the right format automatically applies to the right job type.
See Setting Up and Using Estimate Formats and Templates for the full setup walkthrough.