FAQs

Setup & Configuration

Q: What is Profit Genie, and why is it required during setup?

Profit Genie reverse engineers pricing based on your overhead, labor, and profit goals. It ensures proposals are financially sound from the start. (Pages 5, 28–31)

Q: Why should I list myself as both a field and overhead employee?

If you are an owner-operator, this ensures labor recovery for both install work and administrative tasks. (Pages 14, 95–96)

Q: Can I skip entering employer taxes?

No. Accurate labor costs depend on complete tax data, and skipping this will lead to mispriced bids. (Page 12)

Catalog & Proposal Building

Q: What is the difference between a Section and a Work Area?

Work Areas group parts of the job such as Front Yard or Back Yard. Sections detail the install elements like Beds, Sod, or Irrigation in each area. (Pages 36–37, 42–65)

Q: Should I duplicate materials for different crew sizes?

Yes. This keeps install times consistent and supports accurate PMM-based pricing for different workflows. (Page 20)

Q: How do Templates help my team save time?

Templates bundle labor, materials, and equipment into reusable packages. They streamline proposal building, provide consistency and reduce repetitive work. (Page 65)

Financial & Strategic Tools

Q: How do I know if my proposal hits profit goals?

Use the Markup screen to compare PMM for each section against your Profit Genie target. Visual cues show profitability clearly. (Pages 65–70)

Q: What is the Efficiency Calculator used for?

This tool lets you model whether adding labor will help finish early enough to justify extra cost. It is ideal for time-sensitive jobs. (Pages 71–73)

Q: What is the importance of tracking unbillable labor?

Unbillable labor can erode your margins. Including it in Profit Genie helps maintain profitability without raising client pricing. (Pages 95–96)

Sales Psychology & Conversions

Q: What is ISPS and how does it help close sales?

ISPS (Integrated Sales Psychology & Strategies) improves close rates by structuring packages, anchoring pricing choices, and shifting focus from line items to outcomes. (Pages 73–78)

Q: Why rename “Project Overhead” to “Mobilization”?

Renaming reframes logistics as added value. This helps reduce client pushback and supports strategic sales tactics. (Pages 62, 73–75)

Q: What is the best way to upsell without pressure?

Use the Update Package feature. Clients often start with a basic option and upgrade once trust is built, and this process makes that easy. (Page 84)

Scheduling & Production

Q: What happens after a proposal is accepted?

The project moves into the Projects tab and Smart Calendar. Assignments, material planning, and scheduling are managed automatically. (Pages 85–93)

Q: How are schedule conflicts handled during a Change Order?

Smart Calendar updates working days and reschedules any impacted jobs. This keeps operations smooth and avoids overlaps. (Pages 90–93)

Q: Can clients see notes that were written for crews?

No. “Crew Notes” are only seen internally for field instructions. Client-facing messages stay separate in the Description of Services. (Page 47)

Change Management

Q: Can I edit a proposal after it is accepted?

No, but you can create a Change Order to revise the proposal. This keeps billing, scheduling, and client communication in sync. (Pages 80–83)

Q: How do payment plans update after changes?

The system automatically recalculates totals and redistributes any remaining payments across the adjusted schedule. (Pages 81–82)

Proposal Clarity & Presentation

Q: How do I make proposals feel more polished and professional?

Use the “Description of Services” for client-facing summaries and embed custom branding. Keep section names outcome-driven rather than technical.

Q: Can I rearrange proposal sections or work areas?

Yes. Simply drag and drop within the proposal editor to restructure the order and improve narrative flow.

Q: What’s the best way to present optional upgrades or add-ons?

In the Package screen, choose specific landscape items for each package to customize what’s included across different package tiers.

Crew Size & Labor Modeling

Q: Why does changing crew size affect install time and pricing?

Crew size directly influences labor efficiency and PMM. Smaller crews take longer, which can change labor costs and profitability metrics.

Updated on: 09/25/2025