Why single-line quotes were holding businesses back
If your jobs involve more than one type of work - and most do - a single-line quote was never really fit for purpose. You had two options: cram everything into one description field, or send separate quotes for different parts of the same job. Neither is ideal, and neither looks particularly professional to your customers.
The same problem applied to invoices. A job might involve labour, materials, call-out fees, and specialist equipment - but until now, getting all of that onto one clean document meant workarounds. That changes today.
One document, every item
Add every service, product, and task to a single quote or invoice. No more splitting jobs across multiple documents or cramming everything into one line.
Clear pricing for customers
Customers can see exactly what they're paying for and why. Itemised quotes build trust and reduce the back-and-forth of pricing queries.
Totals that calculate themselves
Line totals, subtotal, VAT, and grand total all update automatically as you type. No mental arithmetic, no spreadsheet open in another tab.
Items carry through to invoices
When you raise an invoice from a quote, all your line items copy across automatically. You set it up once - there's nothing to re-enter.
How it works
When creating or editing a quote or invoice, you'll now see a line items table directly in the wizard. Each row has a description field, a quantity, a unit price, and a calculated line total.
You can add as many rows as the job requires - there's no limit. Remove rows you don't need with a single click. As you build out the table, the subtotal, VAT, and grand total at the bottom update in real time.
From quote to invoice, without the extra work
When a customer approves a quote and you're ready to invoice, clicking "Raise Invoice" copies every line item across automatically. Descriptions, quantities, and prices all come through exactly as you set them - you just confirm and send.
This means you build the detail once, on the quote, and it flows through to the invoice without any double entry.
Line item breakdowns on overview pages
The detail page for any quote or invoice now shows a full line items breakdown above the financial summary. You can see exactly what was quoted or charged at a glance - no need to open the editor or download the PDF just to check the itemisation.
Professional PDFs, line by line
Multi-line support extends all the way to your PDF output. Custom templates built in the Template Builder now have access to the complete line items list, and templates can use a repeating table to display each item individually - just like a traditional professional quote or invoice would look.
If you use the HiveAssist AI Template Builder, it will now generate templates with a line items table included by default. For existing templates, you can add a line items section using the Visual Builder or the Code Editor.
Already using the Template Builder?
Your existing templates will still work. To add line item support to an existing template, open it in the Template Builder and use HiveAssist to add a line items table, or add it manually using the repeating row helper in the Code Editor.
What this unlocks for your business
For most trades and mobile service businesses, a single-line quote was a compromise. Multi-line support opens up a much more natural way of working:
- Quote for labour and materials separately on the same document.
- Break down a complex job into individual tasks so customers understand the full scope.
- Include call-out fees, travel, or specialist items as distinct line items.
- Add optional extras or variations clearly, with individual pricing.
- Produce invoices that match the structure of the original quote exactly.
The result is documents that are clearer for your customers, easier for you to produce, and more defensible if pricing is ever questioned.
Ready to send your first itemised quote?
Log into HiveSuite and create a new quote - you'll see the line items table waiting for you. Add your services and products, let the totals calculate themselves, and send a document your customers will actually understand.
- Create a new quote or invoice
- Add unlimited line items
- Raise an invoice - items copy across
- Send a professional PDF
30-day free trial. No credit card required.