CONTEXT: WHAT ARE ESTIMATES?

Estimates are detailed, customizable cost proposals that enable home services businesses (Pros) to provide accurate pricing, enhance professionalism, and increase the likelihood of securing jobs. Here's the homebase view which is what homeowners see via email once an estimate has been sent.

DISSECTING THE FLOW

Since this a brand new feature on web, where should we place it in the flow?

To keep the MVP simple to roll out quickly, we chose to focus only one collecting a homeowner signature. This meant there was only one place this new feature could be — the homebase view where homeowners receive the estimate to approve the services.

DESIGN THE COMPONENT

So we know our designs need to be legally binding and that we must collect homeowner's signatures through the homebase. How will it look like? Let's look at other e-signature components elsewhere.

I analyzed what most of these had in common, as those features clearly worked. It was important to have a type and draw function, as well as important legal copy to ensure intent and consent.

After several iterations and check-ins with our design system team, we had our final components!

❗️SCOPE EXPANSION❗️

Another issue HCP was facing was that Pros would edit the estimate after it had already been approved by the homeowner, effectively changing the price and agreed upon services. However, the estimate would still show as “Approved.” This was a major issue, especially as we were focusing on the legality of the estimate.

We needed to inform Pros that if they changed the estimate, it would void the signature and require a new one. But where would this live? I mapped out the flow and noted different opportunities to implement this.

We went with opportunity 7 — a new locked estimates view!

PRO-FACING EDITING ESTIMATE

Let's say a Pro wanted to go back and edit an estimate. They would first have to unlock the sent estimate, be made aware that once changes were made a new signature would be required, then sent to the Pro-facing estimate view.

HOW THESE NEW FLOWS BRINGS VALUE: FINAL DESIGNS

E-SIGNATURE MODAL

CURRENTLY

No method of collecting a legal signature from the Homeowners.

REDESIGN

Complete modal integrated within Homeowner flow that collects a signature, informs them of the terms and conditions, and helps them confirm their agreement to do business.

Credibility

Adding a legally binding signature assures both homeowner and Pros on the scope of the work and establishes trust!

LOCKED ESTIMATES VIEW

CURRENTLY

Estimates could be edited at anytime by the Pro with no warning or notification to the Homeowner.

REDESIGN

Editing line items is locked and informs the Pro that a new signature will be needed once any changes are made.

Security

A locked view keeps Pros accountabile for any changes and assures the homeowner they are getting exactly what they approved.

REFLECTIONS

I'd like to extend a huge thank you to my manager Stumpy and the Design Systems team from Housecall Pro for guiding and supporting me through this complex software teaching me how to work with different components and states! Another shout out to Kellie for letting me sit in on her usability testing sessions and analysing the research on a completely different area of the product! I learned so much about how to properly use design systems, work with project managers, and really defining and polishing an MVP through this internship!