> 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/resources/frequently-asked-questions/pricing-and-calculations.md).

# Pricing & Calculations

Answers to common questions about adjusting rates, taxes, discounts, pricing visibility, and calculation settings on PaintScout estimates.

<details>

<summary><strong>How do I adjust the hourly rate on my estimate?</strong></summary>

1. Click the sidebar icon on the right side of your screen and open the **Calculations** section.
2. Click the drop-down for the hourly rate and adjust.

<figure><img src="/files/eTaVRMzneBRBBp3NLuX4" alt="Animated GIF showing how to adjust the hourly rate in the Calculations sidebar on an estimate"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
This will only change the hourly rate of the estimate you're working on. To adjust your hourly rate on *all* new estimates, visit your account settings.
{% endhint %}

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>How do I adjust the tax rate on my estimate?</strong></summary>

1\. Click the sidebar icon on the right side of your screen and select **Calculations.**

2\. Select the drop-down menu for **tax** and choose an existing tax rate or create a custom rate.

<figure><img src="/files/zhqxhkEGmMuMv95TvejB" alt="Screenshot showing the tax rate dropdown in the Calculations sidebar with existing and custom rate options"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

3\. You can include more than one tax rate by selecting multiple options.

<figure><img src="/files/XyTGNeXWvhtGBOU3tE15" alt="Screenshot showing multiple tax rates selected in the Calculations sidebar"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Manually adjusting the tax rate of an estimate will only affect the one you are working on.
{% endhint %}

If you would like to only charge tax on materials, please reach out to our team at <support@paintscout.com> to enable the ability to split tax rates for labor and materials.

<figure><img src="/files/AGAJ25dzaYG8HKpNhX5B" alt="Screenshot showing the split tax rate option for separating labor and materials tax rates"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>How do I adjust the overall cost of an estimate?</strong></summary>

1. Open the sidebar menu on the right of your screen and select **Calculations.**
2. In the **Manual Adjustment** section enter your adjustment as either a dollar value $ or percentage %.

   <figure><img src="/files/28Pma1ImSfoxXXHxmOLc" alt="Screenshot showing the Manual Adjustment section in the Calculations sidebar with dollar and percentage fields"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
3. You may also adjust the **subtotal** manually.
4. Include a description or reason for the adjustment in the provided box. This is ***not*** visible to your customer.

After adjusting, you'll notice a **triangle** marking the subtotal section, signaling that it has been overridden. To revert to the default value, click on the triangle and select **reset value.**

<figure><img src="/files/oLjAlQnAto7d7hQrGjF6" alt="Screenshot showing the triangle indicator on the subtotal signaling a manual override with the reset value option"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Once a manual adjustment is made, the area pricing will automatically switch *off.* This happens because the new subtotal no longer aligns with the area pricing. If you still want the area pricing visible, consider including the adjustment in a line item, area, or group instead.

If you want the customer to be aware of an adjustment, it's recommended to use a discount.
{% endhint %}

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>How do I add a discount to an estimate?</strong></summary>

To add a discount to a quote, click on the sidebar icon and go to the Calculations tab. Under 'Discount' you can add a discount by % or dollar and a discount description.

<figure><img src="/files/WXkz2C1640WExaBJfQcr" alt="Animated GIF showing how to add a discount by percentage or dollar amount in the Calculations sidebar"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

You can also add a list of your discount rates by going to your **Account Settings** > **Estimates** > **Discounts** section.

<figure><img src="/files/3IBLVPPjk9tJc4ORsUS4" alt="Screenshot showing the Discounts settings section under Account Settings where discount rates can be configured"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Any discount set here will be applied to every new estimate made. We suggest applying discounts to each estimate individually.
{% endhint %}

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>How to show &#x26; hide pricing</strong></summary>

**How to show surface pricing**

When you create an estimate, the prices for individual items are hidden by default. If you want to make them visible, follow these steps:

1. Click on the surface and scroll to the bottom under **Advanced Options**. Select **Show Price** from the available options.

   <figure><img src="/files/pw1nm8xm1dLIQxZQQzme" alt="Screenshot showing the Show Price option under Advanced Options on a surface in an estimate"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. The price of the surface will not show in the area description.

   <figure><img src="/files/lRT5C9DD60WmxEsX2Qgq" alt="Screenshot showing the surface price displayed in the area description after enabling Show Price"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
This setting can be enabled in your Account Settings to ensure the surface pricing shows by default on new estimates!
{% endhint %}

**How to hide area pricing**

You can quickly show or hide the pricing for each area in the estimate by using the slider.

<figure><img src="/files/bYtnABh4X5FujbFmg5dT" alt="Screenshot showing the pricing visibility slider on areas in an estimate"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

To show the pricing, click the slider to turn it green. If you want to hide the per-area prices and only display the total, click the slider to turn it grey. This feature puts you in charge of what pricing details the customer can see!

<figure><img src="/files/bAn1f1Gj0qlITRqtjCu1" alt="Animated GIF showing the pricing slider toggling area prices on and off between green and grey states"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

If you manually customize the estimates total in the sidebar menu > calculations, the per-area pricing will automatically toggle off.

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>How to turn off the surcharge on an estimate</strong></summary>

To remove the surcharge from a specific estimate open the sidebar menu and select **Payments & Lending**.

<figure><img src="/files/aWlvpJZTw1xebQg5kPuo" alt="Screenshot showing the Payments and Lending section in the estimate sidebar menu"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Uncheck the **Surcharging** box to remove the surcharge from future credit card payments made on this estimate/invoice.

<figure><img src="/files/LnCYMbDWR4c71Uu6sW1p" alt="Screenshot showing the Surcharging checkbox unchecked to remove the surcharge from this estimate"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

{% hint style="info" %}
Please note this change will **only** apply to this estimate/invoice.
{% endhint %}

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Why did my hourly rate not update on my estimate?</strong></summary>

Are you finding that even though you've updated your hourly rate in the Account Settings, your new estimates are still using the *old* rate?

<figure><img src="/files/LfMA9WzwpWkyGSCapYBv" alt="Screenshot showing the hourly rate setting in Account Settings that may not match the rate on template-based estimates"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

Chances are, you're frequently using templates, and templates do not automatically update from your Account Settings *(but don't worry, we have a solution for this, so keep on reading till the very end!)*

**How to update your hourly rate on a template**

1. Visit your **Account Settings > Estimates > Templates** and open a template.

   <figure><img src="/files/QXNCnJAbWMTAmHkPDbes" alt="Screenshot showing the Templates section under Account Settings where you can open and edit a template"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
2. Click the icon for the sidebar menu on the far right and choose **Calculations.**
3. Expand the **Hourly Rate** section and update the hourly rate.

   <figure><img src="/files/tM2Pdqe6Fag7AscgMQAE" alt="Screenshot showing the Hourly Rate section expanded in the Calculations sidebar of a template"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>
4. Click **Save** and repeat the process for each template.

Our feature ensures that you always have the most current information from your settings. [Reach out to our support team](mailto:support@paintscout.com) if you'd like to switch to Smart Templates!

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>What is the difference between Area vs. Surface View?</strong></summary>

**Area View**

Area View organizes the estimate by room (e.g., Bedroom, Bathroom, Office). Each area lists its substrates underneath, with the total price per room.

<figure><img src="/files/859UHdvsa2jf00hkxpcp" alt="Screenshot showing an estimate in Area View with items organized by room such as Bedroom, Bathroom, and Office"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Surface View**

Surface View organizes the estimate by substrate type (e.g., Walls, Windows). Each substrate lists all associated rooms underneath, showing the cost breakdown per surface across the entire project.

<figure><img src="/files/cwTC3eMouJiZBuFBvJy3" alt="Screenshot showing an estimate in Surface View with items organized by substrate such as Walls across multiple rooms"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>What's the difference between an Area and a Line Item?</strong></summary>

**What is an Area?**

An Area is a distinct physical space with specific dimensions, such as a bedroom, entire house, or deck. After entering dimensions, you select surfaces (substrates) to build your estimate. Pricing auto-calculates based on the rates configured in **Account Settings > Production Rates**.

<figure><img src="/files/7pOQLuEuIjMFuoj7QhS0" alt="Animated GIF showing how to create an area with dimensions and select surfaces that auto-calculate pricing from production rates"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**What is a Line Item?**

A Line Item is a custom entry on an estimate that is not tied to room dimensions. Line items are useful for preparation details, flat-rate charges, consultation fees, or materials not calculated by area. They can include specific prices, hours, and products. Create reusable line items in **Account Settings** to add them quickly to any estimate.

<figure><img src="/files/pwztnnQ4wJ9d8CZylZBm" alt="Animated GIF showing how to create and add a line item with custom price, hours, and materials to an estimate"><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Can you add more than one product to a production rate?</strong></summary>

Production rates in PaintScout support only one default product each. Use one of the following workarounds when you need multiple products on a surface (e.g., primer plus finish coat):

**Create a Separate Production Rate**

If you need to add both a priming and finish coat product to your production rate, it's best to create a separate production rate for priming. This allows you to calculate the priming material separately and account for the extra time your painters will need to prime the space.

**Factor Additional Material into Your Material Markup**

For materials used on every project, like primer or sundries, you can factor these into the price of your products as the price entered in your Account Settings should already include the markup or the amount you want to charge the customer.

**Add Products to a Line Item**

Even though production rates can only have one product per rate, you can still add multiple products to a line item. This is useful for adding sundries like tape or plastic. Just remember, materials added to line items won't automatically adjust based on project size, so you'll need to manually adjust quantities or create pre-made "sundries bundles" based on the project's size.

</details>

## Related articles

* [Estimates](/support/resources/frequently-asked-questions/estimates.md) — Find answers about statuses, PDFs, archiving, and visibility
* [Payments & Financing](/support/resources/frequently-asked-questions/payments-and-financing.md) — Review payments, surcharging, and financing questions


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