Articles on: Proposals

Working with Templates

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.


Any equipment included in your template will have its usage days updated to match the section it's added to


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 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.

Figure 1: Overwriting existing template.



✅ Pro Tip: Before saving, you’ll usually want to click Clear Measurements at the top of the section. This gives you a clean starting point for future use. But in some cases, like recurring layouts, you may want to leave the measurements in. It’s your call.


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

Figure 2: Adding a template to you Proposal.


  1. Custom Templates Button
  • Click the blue Custom Templates button to view all saved templates built from a custom section
  • Ideal for unique features like fire pits, garden boxes, or outdoor kitchens

Figure 3: Custom Templates selector.


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:

  1. Open any proposal and click the Edit button to the right of a Landscape Work Area.
  2. This opens the Template Library Sidebar, where all saved templates are listed.
  3. Click the Edit button next to the template you want to update.
  4. The Template Editor will appear. Make any necessary changes to materials, labor, equipment, or notes.

Figure 4: Edit button for Templates



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.


⚠️ Deleted templates cannot be recovered, so use this option carefully.


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: 12/11/2025

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