In the portal, a client can read a document, sign or accept it in place, and you receive a dated record of who agreed to what, without printing, scanning, or chasing by email.
Signing a contract
When you send a contract, the client opens it in their portal and reads the full text. If you've asked for a signature, they sign electronically at the bottom. The system records the acceptance date, the name and address they entered, and the network address they signed from, all shown on the contract afterward so the acceptance is easy to evidence later.
- Prepare the contract. Set its content and mark it as needing a signature.
- Send it to the client. They're notified by email with a link into the portal.
- The client signs. They read it, enter their details and sign in place.
- Confirmation is recorded. The signed contract shows the date, name, address and the network address it was signed from.
Accepting estimates and proposals
Not everything needs a full signature. For a quote, an accept or decline is usually enough. When you send an estimate or a proposal, the client reviews it and clicks to accept or decline. Where you allow comments, they can ask a question or note a condition before deciding, which keeps the back and forth attached to the document instead of lost in email.
| Document | What the client does | What you get back |
|---|---|---|
| Contract | Reads and signs electronically | A signed record with date, name, address and network address |
| Estimate | Accepts or declines, comments if allowed | A clear yes or no, with any comments |
| Proposal | Accepts or declines, comments if allowed | An accepted or declined status you can act on |
Knowing where things stand
Each document carries a status, so you always know whether a contract is still waiting on a signature or an estimate has been accepted. That saves you from asking the client where they've got to, and it means a follow up can be as simple as a gentle reminder rather than a fresh request.
Send one document at a time when the client is new to the portal. A single, clear "please sign this" is far more likely to get done than three requests arriving together.
If a client is stuck
Some clients hesitate at the signing step, often because they can't find the button or aren't sure it's genuine. A short phone call usually clears it up. Confirm they're logged in, that they've scrolled to the bottom of the document, and that they're comfortable with what they're agreeing to. The signature is only meaningful if the client understood it.
Electronic acceptance in the portal records that a specific contact agreed on a specific date. It does not replace your professional obligations around advising the client. Treat it as evidence of agreement, not as advice given.