Help with Costbook
Make estimates, track supplies and check your job costs.
Ask us for help
Email support@autocostbook.com. Tell us what you were trying to do and which browser you use. Keep passwords, payment details and customer records out of your message.
Start with a sample job
Try the sample estimate. No account is needed. Sign in to save your own jobs.
Save your own jobs
Sign in to save your work online and open it on another device. Use Google, a password or an email sign-in link. If a sign-in email is missing, check spam.
Your 14-day trial starts at your first workspace sign-in. There is no job limit. When it ends, you can still view and download your records, but cannot edit them.
Download backups of important records. Backups contain customer and business details, so keep them private.
Add your business details
Open Business settings. Add your name and contact details, then check your rates and tax. Your logo, colors and estimate wording can be changed there too.
Send an estimate
Add the customer, work and price. Check the preview, then copy the link to your customer. Before the vehicle check, you can share a rough estimate. Check the vehicle in person before asking for final approval.
Anyone with the link can view it. Your costs and private notes stay hidden. Approval records the name entered, extras, price and time. Payment and booking are separate.
Track supplies and time
Add a product’s size, cost and stock. Enter what you use as an exact amount or part of a pack. Finishing the job deducts that amount from stock. Supplier links open the supplier’s website; they do not place orders.
Start a timer or enter minutes worked with a short note. If more work is needed, agree on the work and extra price with your customer before starting it.
Record payments
Record cash, card payments, deposits and refunds in the job’s payment history. Tax and tips are kept separate.
You can also add a link from your own Stripe, Square or PayPal account. Check its amount, currency and tax before sharing it. Payments go through that provider; Costbook does not charge cards or automatically confirm payments.
Check your results
Finish a job to compare your estimate with the actual time, costs and price. Results show your recorded revenue, costs and pay for your time. The money-collected report uses the payments you record.
Results depend on what you enter. Costbook does not set market prices, file taxes or guarantee a profit.
Paid plans
Subscriptions aren’t available yet. We’re working toward Solo at $19 USD per month and Team at $39 USD per month. Prices and staff limits will be confirmed before launch.
See plans and trial details. You won’t be charged automatically.
Set up appointments
Add appointments in Schedule. For online requests, open Booking settings. Set your hours, services, job times and team. Turn on requests, then share your booking link.
You confirm or decline each request. It holds a time for 24 hours. Booking does not approve the price. Contact the customer yourself; messages are not sent automatically.