How to Customize Landscape Work Areas in a Proposal

After setting the general parameters of your project, click Next to proceed to the Proposal Takeoffs screen. Here, you’ll see each of your Landscape Work Areas displayed in dark blue headers. Under each header is a list of the Sections you previously added to that area.

To view or hide the details of a Landscape Work Area, click the expand/collapse arrow on the right side of the blue header. This allows you to manage each area individually without cluttering the screen.

Editing Landscape Work Areas and Sections

To make changes to a Landscape Work Area:

• Click the Edit button on the blue header.
• To remove the entire area, click Delete Area.
• To add a new Landscape Work Area, click the blue + Add New Work Area button at the top or bottom of the screen.

To add or remove individual Sections within a Work Area:

• Click the same Edit button.
• Use the red X next to each Section to remove it, or select new ones to add.
• Click Save to apply your changes.

Working Within Sections

To open or close individual Sections within a Work Area, use the expand/collapse arrow on the left side of each Section line. This reveals the input fields where you can enter detailed information for that Section.

Most Sections include a Measurements area, where you’ll input quantities using fields tailored to the type of Section selected. Use Enter to move down one cell and Tab to move right once cell.

Below the measurements is the Materials/Labor section. This is where you connect materials to the Section using the Add Material button.

To specify which exact product will be used:

• Click the Connect Item button next to each material.
• Use the sidebar to search your Materials Catalog. You can also
• You can search by name or filter by category.

Add a Custom Section

If your design includes a feature not listed in the prebuilt Sections, like a Firepit, you can create a custom Section by clicking the edit button for any Area:

• Click the plus (+) icon next to the Sections list.
• Type the name of the new Section (e.g., “Firepit”).
• Press Enter to add it to the Work Area. Then Save.

This allows you to include unique elements in your proposal that aren’t part of the default library.

Using Custom Groups

Custom Groups are part of Elevation Advisor’s Integrated Sales and Psychology Strategy (ISPS), a system designed to improve sales effectiveness by simplifying how proposals are presented.

This feature allows you to bundle multiple Sections together and present them to the client as a single line item with one price. For example, in the image shown, Mobilization, Irrigation, and Concrete are grouped under a Custom Group called Mainframe, with a single price of $12,439.71. This approach reduces negotiation friction and helps minimize sticker shock.

To create a Custom Group:

1. Click Edit on the Landscape Work Area you want to modify.
2. In the sidebar, check the boxes next to each Section you want to include in the group.
3. Double-click the Custom Group header and rename it to whatever you want the client to see in the final proposal. In the image we chose to name our Custom Group Mainframe.

To edit your Custom Groups or Sections later, simply click the Edit button on the blue header of the corresponding Landscape Work Area.

Templates: Fast, Accurate, Flexible

Templates in Elevation Advisor are one of the fastest ways to build proposals without sacrificing accuracy or control. They give you a strong starting point for any section, whether you're building beds, patios, or custom features, and help you create polished, professional proposals in record time.

Why Templates Matter

Templates are all about working smarter. Instead of rebuilding the same section from scratch every time, you can save a version you like and reuse it with just a few clicks. This means:

• Lightning-fast proposals: Drop in a fully built section instantly
• Improved accuracy: Preloaded materials, labor, and equipment reduce the chance of errors
• Consistent pricing: Standardized install times and costs across your team
• Complete flexibility: Every template is editable once added, adjust anything you need

Whether you're a solo operator or managing a growing team, templates help you scale your process while keeping quality high.

Real-World Examples

Templates are especially useful for the types of work you repeat often, but they’re also powerful for handling variation. For example:

• Beds with Bark Mulch
• Beds with Rock Mulch
• Paver Patio – 2-Person Crew
• Paver Patio – 3-Person Crew

You can even create templates that include only the basic materials, like soil or base course, so your team can add custom materials later. Or, you can leave in measurements if you want to use the template for a recurring job type. It’s completely up to you.

How to Create a Template

To create a template from a section:

1. Scroll to the bottom of any section
2. Click Save As Template
3. Give it a clear, descriptive name (e.g., “Beds with Rock – 3 Crew”)

If you the name you are using for your template is the same as an existing template, Elevation Advisor will prompt you with a warning before overwriting the original.

How to Add a Template to Your Proposal

When building a proposal, you can access your saved templates in the template library in two ways:

1. Dropdown Arrows on Section Buttons

If your template was built using a standard section layout (like Beds or Patios), it will appear as a dropdown under that section. This lets you quickly choose between different versions of the same section type

Click the blue Custom Templates button to view all saved templates built from a custom section

. This is ideal for unique features like fire pits, garden boxes, or outdoor kitchens

Once inserted, templates behave like any other section, you can edit materials, adjust labor, change equipment, or rewrite the description. You’re never locked in.

Once you’ve created a template, you can edit, save, or delete it directly from the Template Library Sidebar.

Editing an existing template:

Open any proposal and click the Edit button to the right of a Landscape Work Area.

1. This opens the Template Library Sidebar, where all saved templates are listed.
2. Click the Edit button next to the template you want to update.
3. The Template Editor will appear. Make any necessary changes to materials, labor, equipment, or notes.

There are two save options for Templates:

• Save and Add to Proposal: This updates the template and inserts it into the current proposal.
• Save Without Adding: Updates the template but keeps your current proposal unchanged.

Choose the option that fits your workflow.

How to Delete a Template

To remove a template from your library:

1. Open the Template Library Sidebar by clicking the Edit button next to any Landscape Work Area.
2. Locate the template you want to delete.
3. Click the Trash Can icon next to the template name.

Templates give you the best of both worlds: a fast, consistent starting point and the freedom to customize every detail. Whether you're building your first proposal or your hundredth, they help you move faster, stay accurate, and deliver a better experience for your clients.

Updated on: 10/13/2025