Welcome to SemaQuote! You have created your account, and now it is time to make it yours. This guide walks you through the initial setup so your quotes look professional from day one.
The good news? The whole process takes about 5 minutes. Let's get started.
What You Will Set Up
Here is the quick overview of what we will cover:
- Welcome Screen - A quick tour of what SemaQuote can do
- Business Profile - Your company information for quotes and invoices
- Optional Extras - Logo, services library, and preferences
By the end, you will be ready to create your first quote.
Getting Started on Mobile
The mobile app walks you through a streamlined setup designed to get you up and running fast.
The Welcome Screen
After you create your account, you will see a Welcome screen highlighting what SemaQuote helps you accomplish:
- Create Quotes - Professional quotes in minutes, even from a job site
- Manage Clients - Keep all your contacts organized in one place
- Track Jobs - Schedule work and monitor progress
You will also see a reminder about your 7-day free trial with full access to everything. No credit card required.
Tap Get Started to move forward.
Your Business Profile
This is where SemaQuote becomes yours. The information you enter here shows up on every quote and invoice you send.
What You Need to Add
Required:
- Company Name - Your business or trade name
Optional (but recommended):
- Phone Number - So clients can reach you
- Street Address - Your business location
- City, State, ZIP - Complete your address
Pro tip: You can skip this step and add your info later in Settings. But taking two minutes now means your first quote will look polished and professional.
Tap Continue to save, or Skip for now if you want to come back to it.
You Are Ready
That is it for the basic setup. SemaQuote takes you to your dashboard where you can:
- Create your first quote
- Add your first client
- Explore everything the app can do
Getting Started on the Web
The web experience follows a similar flow but takes advantage of the bigger screen.
Verify Your Email First
If you signed up with email and password, you will need to verify your email before accessing your dashboard. Check your inbox, click the confirmation link, and you are in.
Your Dashboard
After signing in for the first time, you land on your dashboard. Look for the Quick Setup Guide panel - it helps you tackle the essentials:
- Set up your business profile
- Add your first client
- Create your first quote
- Customize your settings
Complete Your Business Profile
- Click Settings in the sidebar
- Select Company Settings (or Business Profile)
- Fill in your business details:
- Company name
- Phone number
- Business address
- Logo (we will cover this next)
- Click Save
Make It Yours: Additional Customization
Beyond the basics, a few extra touches can make SemaQuote work even better for your business.
Add Your Logo
Nothing says "professional" like a branded quote. Here is how to add your logo:
On the Web:
- Go to Settings > Company Settings
- Find the Logo section
- Upload your image (PNG or JPG, at least 200x200 pixels works best)
- Your logo now appears on all quotes and invoices
On Mobile:
- Go to Settings > Company
- Tap the logo placeholder
- Choose an image from your photos or snap a new one
- Crop and adjust as needed
Build Your Services Library
If you quote the same types of work regularly (and most contractors do), setting up default services saves you time on every quote.
- Go to Settings > Services (web) or Settings > My Services (mobile)
- Add services you quote often, with typical descriptions and rates
- These become quick-add options when you create quotes
Example: A plumber might add "Faucet Installation - $150" or "Drain Cleaning - $95/hour" so they are one tap away.
Configure Your Quote Settings
Fine-tune how your quotes look and behave:
- Default expiration - How long quotes stay valid (30 days is common)
- Terms and conditions - Your standard terms for every quote
- Notes template - A default message for clients
- Tax settings - Your default tax rate, if applicable
Tips for a Strong Start
Want to make the most of your first week with SemaQuote? Here are some suggestions from contractors who have been where you are.
Start with One Client
Resist the urge to import your entire client list right away. Add one client, create one quote, and send it. This hands-on approach helps you understand the workflow before you scale up.
Try Voice-to-Quote Early
This feature is a game-changer for many contractors. Here is how it works:
- Tap the microphone button
- Describe the job like you would to a colleague
- Watch SemaQuote turn your words into a structured quote
Try saying something like:
"Kitchen faucet replacement for the Johnson residence. Delta single-handle faucet, brushed nickel, about $180 for the part. Two hours labor at $85 an hour. I will pick up the faucet from Home Depot on the way."
SemaQuote handles the rest.
Send a Test Quote to Yourself
Before your first real quote goes out, send one to yourself:
- Create a "client" with your personal email
- Build a simple test quote
- Send it
- Open the email and click through like a client would
This shows you exactly what your clients will experience, including the approval process in the client portal.
Set Up Online Payments
If you want clients to pay invoices directly through SemaQuote:
- Go to Settings > Payments
- Connect your Stripe account
- Configure your payment terms
Now when you send an invoice, clients can pay with a click. Less follow-up for you, faster payments in your account.
Exploring Your Dashboard
Take a few minutes to poke around. Here is what you will find:
Main Navigation
- Dashboard - Your business at a glance: metrics, recent activity, quick actions
- Quotes - Create, view, and manage all your quotes
- Clients - Your client database with contact info and history
- Invoices - Create invoices and track payments
- Jobs - Schedule and monitor job progress
Features to Try
- Voice-to-Quote - The microphone icon starts a voice recording
- Client Portal - Preview how clients see and approve your quotes
- Quote-to-Invoice - Convert an approved quote to an invoice in one click
- Calendar Sync - Connect Google Calendar to keep your schedule in sync
Getting Unstuck
If something is not working during setup, here is where to find help.
In-App Help
Look for the question mark icon or "Help" link in the navigation. This pulls up relevant articles without leaving the app.
Contact Us
Our support team is happy to help you get started:
- Email: support@semaquote.com
- Response time: Usually within a few hours on business days
Video Tutorials
Visit our Help Center at semaquote.com/help for video walkthroughs of common tasks.
Your Next Steps
Setup is done. Here is what to tackle next:
- Add 2-3 active clients - Start building your database
- Create a real quote - Put what you learned into practice
- Explore the client portal - See what your clients will see
- Set up your services library - Add the work you quote most often
- Connect Google Calendar - Keep job schedules in sync
Skipped Something?
No worries. You can finish setup anytime:
- Business Profile: Settings > Company (mobile) or Settings > Company Settings (web)
- Services Library: Settings > Services or Settings > My Services
- Payment Setup: Settings > Payments
- Logo: Settings > Company Settings > Logo
SemaQuote adapts to how you work. Set up what you need now, and add more as your business grows.
Ready to create your first quote? Head over to our guide on Creating Quotes to learn all the ways you can generate professional quotes quickly.