> ## Knowledge Base Index
> Fetch the complete knowledge base index at: https://support.elevationadvisor.com/sitemap.xml
> Use this file to discover available pages before exploring further.
> Pure-Markdown content can be obtained by appending a '.md' suffix to the content URLs listed in the sitemap (without the trailing slash).

# FAQs

## Setup & Configuration

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

[Profit Genie](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/what-is-profit-genie-19aids2/) 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](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/adding-landscape-work-areas-wf9n9i/) group parts of the job such as Front Yard or Back Yard. [Sections](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/beds-begin-here-if-you-are-just-getting-started-with-sections-147cu76/) 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](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/how-should-you-actually-price-landscape-construction-jobs-9thge3/) for different workflows. (Page 20)

### Q: How do Templates help my team save time?

[Templates](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/working-with-templates-qso40m/) 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](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/markup-that-makes-sense-a-guided-tour-of-the-markup-screen-15zzu5p/) 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](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/the-hidden-cost-of-unbillable-labor-190q3nv/) 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)](https://elevationadvisor.com/integrated-sales-psychology) improves close rates by structuring [packages](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/creating-packages-that-sell-themselves-1kra852/), 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](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/upselling-with-the-update-package-feature-1ipfp01/). 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](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/using-the-projects-page-1h1a1tt/) and [Smart Calendar](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/how-to-use-smart-calendar-maomvz/). 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](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/creating-change-orders-1tebc08/) 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](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/using-the-change-order-payment-calculator-ahlyih/) 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.


## Invoicing & Payments

### Q: Why didn't my client get their invoice?

Invoices aren't emailed automatically. When a payment's date arrives, Elevation Advisor creates the invoice as a **draft** so you can check it first. Open the project's **Invoice Client** page, click the invoice, and click **Send Invoice**. See [How to Use Invoicing](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/how-to-use-invoicing-1mpur8c/).

### Q: Can my clients pay their invoices online?

Yes. Connect your own Stripe account and every new invoice gets a **Pay Online** button, so clients can pay by card or bank transfer and the payment is recorded for you. Already sent an invoice without a link? Add one and send it again. See [Getting Paid Online with Stripe](https://support.elevationadvisor.com/en-us/article/getting-paid-online-with-stripe-11hkso9/).
