Changelog
Follow new updates and improvements to Handoff.
December 20th, 2024
New
Improved
Fixed
New year, new features
We’re excited to share our updates to Handoff that will make estimates faster and more accurate in the new year.
We’ve made significant improvements to the new AI Chat and AI Presets features launched last month. AI Presets allows you to save your standard labor rates, material rates, and custom estimating instructions - so that you don’t have to repeat them on future estimates.
We’re also adding drag and drop, which allows you to manually reorder groups in any estimate or proposal.
Read on for all the details.
AI Presets
In 2025 - no more repeating yourself. AI Presets lets you save your standard labor rates, material rates, and custom estimating instructions. This feature helps Handoff learn your pricing preferences and automatically apply them to all future estimates.
Here’s some examples of rates you can set right now:
Painting all-in rate: $2.50/SF material+labor
Concrete purchase: $165/CY material only
Hardwood Flooring: $5.00/SF labor only
AI Presets support custom instructions too. Get inspired with the below examples:
"Always assume high end finishes on my projects"
"Always assume hardwood floors for my high end remodels"
"Always include these general conditions: temp toilets, temp handwash, debris bin rental, permit fees"
"Always assume my window selections are Anderson Grade A Windows"
To set up AI Presets, navigate to the Settings page and select AI Presets. From there, you can set My Rates and Instructions. Or click here to visit AI Presets.
Drag and Drop Groups
You can now manually reorder groups in any estimate or proposal. First, tap the caret on any header to collapse the group. Then, select and hold on the group, and drag it to your preferred location. Any reordering will carryover into your proposals too.
If you'd like to save a group order for AI to always follow, create an AI Preset and write it as an Instruction: "Always order my estimate groups like this: Excavation, Demolition, ... "
Update Screens
Occasionally you will be presented with an update screen. Make sure to always accept the updates so that you always have important updates and fixes to Handoff. These updates take less than a minute and don’t worry, all your work is saved - always.
At anytime, you can also go to your Settings and tap “Check for updates” in the bottom right corner to ensure you’re up to date.
New Onboarding Experience
Now, when users sign up to use Handoff, we'll better customize their first experience by learning their typical project types, level of finish, local pricing, and markups. As a result, new users get a better understanding of Handoff, and more importantly, better initial estimates.
We may be rolling this out to users who have been inactive, so visit back soon.
Coming Soon
Global Search: we're adding a search bar so you can easily look up any estimate, invoice, or client in Handoff.
Quickbooks: we're researching an integration to Quickbooks Online, where we can sync Handoff's estimates and invoices to Quickbooks. If you're a loyal Quickbooks user, reply to this email with what you'd need in this feature, and let's chat.
Stronger Chat: We're constantly making Handoff's AI smarter and resilient. We have projects in the works to (1) improve AI responses and make its questions more relevant, (2) ensure the chat never hangs or freezes.
Check out our full roadmap here. We always appreciate feedback for our existing and future features.
Bug Fixes & Improvements
Fixed keyboard issues where the keyboard covers content, fields, searching
Fixed Macbook/Safari issues where chat input collapses in height
Fixed logo upload issue on Macbook/ Safari
Fixed issue where invoices can pull up the wrong client
Fixed issues where some users weren't receiving Lowe’s prices
Fixed placeholder text "Loading..." in Terms and Conditions
Fixed Android device back button. It works the same as in-app back buttons now.
Fixed Location Errors. Impacted users can now allow location and not get stuck in a loop
Fixed root causes of Handoff app crashing mid session or failing to open
Fixed issue where they keyboard closes suddenly while typing
Fixed issues where voice-to-text microphone transcribed incorrectly, loaded indefinitely, failed, or crashed the app
Fixed issues where long item names in an Estimate caused overlapping text in the Proposal
Fixed issue where the wrong Terms and Conditions could display on a proposal
Fixed issue where "(null)" appears as a unit of measurement
Improved Facebook mobile experience
Resolved location setting problems
Improved voice-to-text accuracy
Reduced app lag across all features
Fixed proposal download suggestions
Ensured reliable loading of client dashboards
November 27th, 2024
New
You asked, we listened. In November, we released several updates to make your estimating process even faster and more accurate.
AI Chat - your new personal estimator
AI Preferences - set your preferred rates for the AI
Multiple Terms & Conditions
2 New Proposal Formats
Significant Bug Improvements
Check out the full list and details below.
AI Chat - Your Personal Estimator
Our new AI Chat feature turns estimating into a simple conversation. Here's what it can do.
Conversation & Version History
View your entire chat history with the AI, just like texting on your phone
Jump back to any previous version of your estimate - no more worrying about mistakes
Start with Templates
Choose from common projects and get pre-filled descriptions
Follow-up Questions
The AI asks smart questions to ensure accurate estimates
Voice to Text
Just tap the microphone and speak your instructions from any device
AI Preferences - Customize Estimates with Your Preferred Rates
We know every contractor has their own way of doing things. That's why we've added AI Preferences:
Save your Rates
Set your default labor and material rates once. Use them for every estimate.
Save Your Instructions
Specify your typical level of finish and material selections
Auto-Save Preferences
The AI learns from your estimate edits and saves your preferences automatically.
Find AI Preferences right at the top of your Settings page, just below General Settings.
Multiple Terms & Conditions
Save different sets of terms for different project types or team members. Use them as templates and customize per job.
New Proposal Formats
Customize proposals to your clients' needs with these two new estimate layouts:
Item Totals: See line item prices alongside group-level totals
Full Breakdown: Display quantity, unit cost, and line item totals
Don’t worry, your markup stays confidential in both formats.
Coming Soon
We're committed to constantly delivering new features that improve your business. Here's a little sample of what's coming up:
Revamped Onboarding: Our AI Chat will walk new users through creating their first estimate with AI. We’ll ask about your company and some basic preferences, so we can deliver more relevant estimate examples and accurate prices.
Global Search: You’ll be able to search for any keyword or client name, and pull up associated estimates, proposals, invoices, contact info, and more. As new features and document types are added to Handoff, you can search for them.
Faster Invoicing: We are actively talking with payment providers to reduce the time from client payment to payout to your checking account. We’ll keep you posted when we can make faster turnarounds available.
Check out our full roadmap here. We always appreciate feedback for our existing and future features.
Bug Fixes and Improvements
Fixed AI Chat stability issues
Resolved location setting problems
Improved voice-to-text accuracy
Reduced app lag across all features
Fixed proposal download suggestions
Ensured reliable loading of client dashboards
September 11th, 2024
Hi Handoff customers,
We have a new integration to supercharge your estimate’s accuracy.
Handoff is partnering with Lowe’s to bring you live material pricing inside your estimates!
We know it’s critical for your business that our AI creates estimates with up to date data. Now, when you create an estimate, our AI will match materials in your estimate to the Lowe’s catalog and pull in real-time pricing.
Lowe’s Pricing: How it works
Automatic Lookup: When you start estimates with AI, Handoff will automatically look up material pricing from our Lowe’s catalog of 80,000+ items. When we find a matching material, we’ll pull that into your estimate. The Lowe’s logo on the item shows that the price comes from the Lowe’s catalog.
Direct Links to Products: Click on any item to see the Lowe’s product link. You can click it to jump to the Lowe’s website or Lowe’s app.
Up to Date Pricing: Our Lowe’s pricing catalog is updated daily. You can create estimates with confidence knowing you’ll always have accurate pricing.
Comprehensive Coverage: Our Lowe’s catalog covers all material groups: drywall, framing, paint, appliances, tile, flooring, cabinets, plumbing, electrical, and much more.
Here's why our new Lowe's Integration is a game-changer:
You’ll get more accurate estimates.
We cover 80,000 materials across all product types.
No more calling vendors or googling prices.
Never worry about your prices being up to date.
This feature is rolled out to all Handoff customers. No additional setup is required.
Click here to start a new estimate with Lowe’s Materials today
More Lowe’s Features coming soon
We're not stopping here! In the coming months, we'll introduce more integrations to speed up your estimating and purchasing. In Handoff, you’ll be able to:
Browse the Lowe’s Catalog from your estimate
Switch out the Lowe’s material used for different items
Purchase materials directly from Lowe's, without leaving Handoff.
Make sure you have the Handoff mobile app installed
Download on the Apple App Store
Download on the Google Play Store
That's what's new this month. Start creating those estimates with real-time Lowe's pricing and win more jobs. Let us know how it goes!
Click here to start a new estimate with Lowe’s Materials today
August 13th, 2024
Hello Handoff customers,
The wait is finally over. We're excited to announce the release of our most requested feature: Digital Invoices and Online Payments! We know how critical this feature is to your business, so we've spent months polishing and testing it to make sure that you can get paid FAST.
Plus, read along to learn about our Digital Signatures feature now available inside AI Proposals.
Digital Invoices and Online Payments
We're excited to announce the release of our Invoicing and Online Payments feature!
We've partnered with Stripe, a top US payment processor, to securely facilitate invoice payments and make the money available directly in your bank account.
If you are a Business plan subscriber, you can now find the Invoicing feature available on your account. Follow the instructions inside the app to complete the integration with Stripe and start getting paid faster!
Instant Invoicing: Create an invoice with a tap of a button from your AI Proposal or from the Invoicing menu.
Direct Bank Transfers: Once you connect your bank account, the Invoicing feature will be activated. Whenever a client pays you through Handoff, funds will be transferred directly to your bank, eliminating the risks of dealing with cash or paper checks.
Payment Options: Your clients can pay by Credit Card, Debit Card, or ACH. Payment fees are passed on to your clients, keeping your profits intact.
Get notified: Handoff will notify you immediately when clients open your invoices and complete payments.
To summarize, here's what makes our new Invoicing feature amazing:
Get paid on time.
No more manually writing invoices or driving around collecting checks.
You’ll look more professional.
Stay organized with estimates, proposals, and invoices in 1 app.
No fees to the contractor.
Remember that you’ll need to connect your bank to enable Invoicing. If you need help getting set up, contact our Support team in the app.
NOTE: Invoicing is only available to Handoff customers on our Business plan.
Digital Signatures
You can make AI Proposals even more official thanks to our new Digital Signatures.
Legally Binding Agreements: With digital signatures from both parties, pursuant to your Terms and Conditions, your agreements are rock solid.
No More Paper: Eliminate the need to print and hunt down wet signatures, saving time and hassle.
Make sure you have the Handoff mobile app installed!
A quick reminder that our Android and Apple apps are live. Access Handoff on the go and manage your projects with ease.
That’s what’s new this month. Start sending those digital invoices and make more money. Let us know how it goes!
July 6th, 2024
Hey everyone, you might have heard the rumors about our BIG announcement 👀
…so here it is 🎆
Handoff finally has an Android app! You can download it by clicking the link below
Click here to download the Android App.
Our new Android app ensures you have the latest Handoff features: AI-powered Estimating, Proposals, Client Management, and all future releases. The app simplifies logging in: no more links to memorize.
Whether you're on the job site, in your truck, or at the office, Handoff is now right at your fingertips. The app is compatible with all Android phones and tablets.
Please rate us! If you’re on Android and enjoying Handoff, please rate us 5 stars and write a brief review on the Google Play Store. Click here to rate us! Your feedback helps us improve the app for everyone.
Let’s keep building,
The Handoff Team
June 6th, 2024
Hey Handoff users,
Big news! 📢 Clients can now be saved in Handoff!
You can manage each Client's estimates and contact info in one easy place.
You can assign and send estimates to Clients in seconds.
We've created Clients for you based on any previous Proposals you've sent.
Keep reading for a brief video walk-through!
Find your Clients in the Navigation Bar
Tap a Client to view their Estimates
Easily Edit a Client's Contact Info
Send an Estimate to a Client in seconds
View Clients on either Desktop or Mobile
If you prefer using your desktop or laptop, great! Clients are accessible there too.
Click below to watch this 1-minute desktop demo.
Video: https://www.loom.com/share/f4770d714e3b4a2b95bf4842c2a81bee?sid=13a7bd91-1694-40ff-8c04-38c56a5797f6
May 15th, 2024
Hey Handoff users,
Our team has been hard at work shipping new features to make your experience in the product even better. Read below for our complete list of product updates.
Pro tip: Make sure to read to the end to catch every update, including Upcoming Features!
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🗺️ Estimate Pricing is now based on your location!
Big news for everyone: You can now set a specific Price Location when starting Estimates! 🎉🌎📍
Handoff AI will use your Price Location to fine tune your estimate pricing to match rates in your area. You can use a city, county, zip code, or address -- start typing and we'll auto-fill the rest.
To save you time, the app will ask to use your device's location. We'll use GPS to automatically set your pricing even quicker.
🧠 New AI: Faster and more detailed
We've released a new AI model that generates estimates 2x faster than before! ⚡The new AI also provides improved material breakdown. 💪
This is available as an early access release. If you're interested in getting in, reply to this email. We'll be releasing this to customers in the coming days.
For example, check out the AI's detailed lumber breakdown for this 10x10 deck.
💖 Customer Love
Check out these recent testimonials from fellow contractors!
"Handoff is taking a 1000 pound weight off my chest."
Todd Sheffield, GoHome LLC
"Now with Handoff, we're fast. We just did 3 townhouses with Handoff in 30 minutes. They said "You got the job." It's a serious sales tool for me."
Tony Pope, Atelier7
“Saves loads of time. Accurately captures the job for cost and planning. Company is really responsive to customers.”
Aaron Hamilton, Hamilton Valentino Design
"Handoff AI allows me to free up more time, I'll need a new hobby!"
Chad Poznanski, CAP Construction
"Handoff AI is a game changer in helping us develop our long term sales & operations plan … AI is the way of the future."
Matt Smith, equi-linc
⤴️ Move Items with Drag and Drop
Tap and hold any item in your estimate to move an item with Drag and Drop. Drag up or down to drop the item into any group.
◀️ Swipe to Delete
Clean up your estimates fast: you can now swipe left on items to delete them.
✏️ Easier Editing on Phones
We always recommend editing with AI, but sometimes you just need to edit a few items. We got you. Tap any item to manually edit. A simple set of fields will open above your keyboard. You can edit names, quantities, prices, and markups without losing your place. Editing markups is easier too.
🗺️ Upcoming Features
Here's what's planned next:
Proposals with AI: including Invoicing, Signatures, Attachments, Terms & Conditions, and Lump Sum formatting! Our AI will write up simple scope of work notes for your clients based on your estimate.
Android App: We're preparing to ship to the Google Play store in the next few weeks!
Multi User Teams: Each of your team members will be able to log-in with their own credentials. No more sharing phone numbers!
User Default Settings: You'll be able to set default prices, scope items, and labor rates for the AI to use moving forward.
See the full roadmap here: https://handoff.featurebase.app/roadmap
Request features here: https://handoff.featurebase.app/
💌 Rate us on the Apple Store!
Are you loving the iPhone app? Please rate us ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ on the Apple Store! While there, write a few sentences telling others how Handoff makes a difference for you. It means the world to us!
Click here to rate us
🛠️ Quick Fixes
iPads & Tablets: We switched back to a simpler mobile design on tablets. You can access Handoff from any tablet at app.handoffai.com.
Proposals: After proposals are sent, we now remove the AI's conversation response from the contractor-facing view. We heard it was confusing.
Hyperlinks: We changed the hyperlink included in the outgoing notification texts and emails to your clients. The link no longer mentions AI, to keep it simple.
Exports: We fixed the pop-up alert so it's easier to read.
Back Button: The button now returns user to the correct screen, every time.
Dashboard Statuses: We fixed an issue where users get jumped back to Draft estimates when checking their Sent estimates.
"+" button in Groups: On phones, tapping + next to the group row will add items to that group as intended.