> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://help.paintscout.com/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://help.paintscout.com/support/customization/templates-and-presets/estimate-settings.md).

# Estimate Settings

Estimate Settings in PaintScout control defaults for hourly rates, taxes, discounts, rounding, and expiry that apply to all new estimates.

{% hint style="info" %}
Changes to estimate settings only affect **future** estimates, not existing or draft estimates.
{% endhint %}

{% embed url="<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sc-iM49Nu4Y>" %}

## What is the Hourly Rate setting?

The hourly rate is what you charge the customer per hour. Set a default value here, and enable the checkbox to allow your team to customize the hourly rate on individual estimates.

<figure><img src="/files/YlynfOf8XG1YE3AawwvE" alt="Screenshot showing the Hourly Rate setting with default rate field and customization checkbox"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## How do Tax Rates work?

Tax rates with **Include on New Estimates** enabled are automatically applied to every new estimate. Rates without this option remain available in the sidebar menu for manual selection.

To add a rate, click **+Add Tax Rate**. To remove one, click the circle icon on the right.

<figure><img src="/files/vWDe6iGivktPhYoJ4M1x" alt="Screenshot showing the Tax Rates section with Add Tax Rate button and Include on New Estimates toggle"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
You can also use tax rates to add other percentage charges like credit card fees or disposal fees.
{% endhint %}

***

## How do Discounts work?

Discounts can be a percentage (%) or dollar amount ($). All discounts are available for selection from the estimate sidebar menu.

* Check **Include on New Estimates** to auto-apply a discount to all new estimates.
* Click the circle icon on the right to delete a discount.

<figure><img src="/files/wOR9OQxlHjIEDW6k9tj9" alt="Screenshot showing the Discounts section with percentage and dollar amount options and Include on New Estimates checkbox"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## What are the Rounding options?

### Hours

Choose a rounding increment for painting hours: 1 hour, 0.5 hours (30 min), 0.25 hours (15 min), or no rounding for precise numbers.

<figure><img src="/files/OWpfnpLbq5IfLW2716hT" alt="Screenshot showing the Hours rounding options with choices for 1 hour, 0.5 hours, 0.25 hours, or no rounding"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### Product & Materials

<figure><img src="/files/pwSAZyZxDmNzegIFBT3Z" alt="Screenshot showing the Product and Materials rounding options with round to nearest unit or always round upwards"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

* **Round to nearest unit:** to the nearest integer. Ex: 2.2 gal would round to 2 gal.
* **Always round upwards:** to the highest integer. Ex: 2.2 gal would round to 3 gal.

{% hint style="info" %}
[Learn more about product rounding and how it works!](/support/customization/products/product-rounding.md)
{% endhint %}

***

## Price Rounding

Set price rounding for surfaces, line items, and totals. Options: No rounding, Round to nearest dollar, or Always round upwards.

<figure><img src="/files/21YKBDYG5PP158C0LFip" alt="Screenshot showing the Price rounding preferences for surfaces, line items, and overall total"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## What are Customer Accepted Options?

Enable this setting to let customers add their own options to the estimate before accepting it.

<figure><img src="/files/09BPfz5nA6RsWfQNxEjj" alt="Screenshot showing the Customer Accepted Options settings for estimate acceptance behavior"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

***

## What is Client Visible Expiry?

Client Visible Expiry automatically expires estimates after a set number of days. Expired estimates display a screen prompting the customer to contact their estimator.

The expiry date shows as TBD until the estimate is **sent**.

<figure><img src="/files/iTORpfn8So5N1I26415k" alt="Screenshot showing the Client Visible Expiry settings with enable checkbox and expiry period configuration"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

## Related articles

* [Pricing & Calculations](/support/resources/frequently-asked-questions/pricing-and-calculations.md) — Get answers to common pricing, tax, and discount questions
* [Area Names](/support/customization/templates-and-presets/area-names.md) — Create reusable room and location labels for faster estimating
* [Line Items Overview](/support/customization/templates-and-presets/line-items-overview.md) — Build reusable fixed-price items for your estimates


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