1. Pull In Inspection Data2. Choose a Template3. Configure System Design4. Add Pricing & Financing5. Add Your Branding6. Preview & Send7. Track Status8. Follow Up Automatically
Pull In Inspection Data
Why it matters: Starting from the inspection record means the proposal reflects what was actually found on-site, not what a rep remembers from a site visit two days ago.
- Open the Deal and go to the Proposal tab
- Click New Proposal → From Inspection
- Confirm roof condition, shading analysis, and usable roof area carry over correctly
Result: A new proposal draft pre-filled with the deal’s inspection findings.
Choose a Proposal Template
Why it matters: A residential proposal and a commercial proposal emphasize different things - payback period matters more for a business, monthly savings for a homeowner.
- Select Residential or Commercial as the base template
- Choose a layout - Standard, Financing-Focused, or Minimal
Result: The proposal preview updates to reflect your chosen template layout.
Configure System Design Details
Why it matters: These numbers are what the client is actually evaluating - getting them wrong here is far more costly than a typo elsewhere in the document.
- Confirm panel count and system size (kW), auto-calculated from usable roof area
- Review the estimated annual production figure
- Adjust for any shading or orientation factors the inspection flagged
Note: Always have a second person spot-check the system size and production estimate before sending - this is the single most scrutinized number in the entire proposal.
Result: System size, panel count, and production estimate all display correctly on the proposal preview.
Add Pricing & Financing Options
Why it matters: Most homeowners are comparing monthly payment options, not just total price - showing cash, loan, and lease side by side answers their real question upfront.
- Enter the total system price, pulled from your pricing catalogue
- Add financing options - cash, loan, or lease - with estimated monthly payments
- Include any applicable rebates or incentives as a separate line so the client sees the net cost clearly
Result: The proposal shows at least two payment options side by side, with a clear net cost after incentives.
Add Your Branding
Why it matters: A proposal that looks like a generic template undermines the trust you built during the inspection visit.
- Confirm your logo and brand colors are applied under Settings → Company Profile → Branding
- Add a personalized cover note referencing the specific site visit
Result: The proposal preview shows your logo, brand colors, and a personalized note on the cover page.
Preview & Send
Why it matters: The client view can render differently from the editor view - always confirm before sending, not after a client points out a formatting issue.
- Click Preview as Client to see exactly what they’ll receive
- Check that all numbers, images, and financing options display correctly on mobile
- Click Send - the proposal delivers via email and updates the deal stage to Proposal Sent automatically
Result: The deal stage updates to "Proposal Sent" and the client receives an email with a link to view it.
Track Proposal Status
Why it matters: Knowing exactly when a client opened a proposal tells you when to follow up - calling before they’ve even opened it wastes the conversation.
- Open the Deal and check the Proposal Activity log
- See timestamps for when the proposal was opened and how long the client spent viewing it
Result: The activity log shows a "Viewed" timestamp once the client opens the proposal link.
Follow Up Automatically
Why it matters: This is the single biggest lever against deals going cold after a proposal is sent - a reminder that fires on its own beats a rep remembering to check back.
- Set a follow-up task for 2 business days after sending, if the client hasn’t responded
- If the proposal shows as viewed but not accepted after 3 days, trigger a personal follow-up call rather than another email
Result: A follow-up task appears on your task list automatically, tied to this deal.
You’ve completed this tutorial
Your proposal is out. Next: see how files - signed contracts, site photos - attach to the same deal.
Continue learning
Keep going with the next tutorials in the Solar CRM series.