Question 1

What is FlexCost?

Accepted Answer

FlexCost is quoting and sales software built specifically for window and door manufacturers, dealers, and installers. It includes Configure with Voice for field takeoffs, FlexCost CPQ for structured quoting, and FlexCost Commerce for customer-facing digital selling.

Question 2

Who is FlexCost built for?

Accepted Answer

FlexCost is built for three buyer types in the window and door industry: manufacturers who need faster CPQ without a BOM-heavy implementation project, dealers who need accurate on-site takeoffs and quotes, and installers who need to capture structured scope in the field without paperwork.

Question 3

What is the difference between Configure with Voice, FlexCost CPQ, and FlexCost Commerce?

Accepted Answer

Configure with Voice is the entry-level product for field takeoffs, ideal for dealers and installers who need to capture scope quickly on-site. FlexCost CPQ is the full structured quoting platform for manufacturers and dealers with complex product lines and channel requirements. FlexCost Commerce is an extension of CPQ that gives customers a self-serve digital quoting experience. All three are part of the same FlexCost platform.

Question 4

What industries does FlexCost serve?

Accepted Answer

FlexCost is built for the window and door industry. It serves manufacturers (including aluminum, uPVC, timber, composite, and fiberglass), dealers, and field installers. The platform is configured around how windows and doors are actually sold, not adapted from a generic industry template.

Question 5

How is FlexCost different from a generic CPQ like Salesforce CPQ?

Accepted Answer

Generic CPQ platforms require months of configuration for any industry and often require full BOM modeling before a single quote can be produced. FlexCost is pre-built for window and door product logic, including opening types, configurations, and channel pricing, so go-live is measured in weeks, not quarters. There is no BOM-modeling prerequisite.

Question 6

What is CPQ software?

Accepted Answer

CPQ stands for Configure, Price, Quote. CPQ software helps sales teams build accurate product configurations, apply correct pricing rules, and generate professional quotes quickly. For window and door companies, CPQ replaces manual spreadsheets and tribal knowledge with a validated quoting engine that anyone on the team can use.

Question 7

What is configure price quote (CPQ)?

Accepted Answer

Configure Price Quote is the full name for what CPQ software does: it lets a salesperson configure a product (choose options, dimensions, materials), apply the correct price (list, channel, discount), and generate a quote to send to the customer. In the window and door industry, CPQ is valuable because product configurations are complex and pricing rules are often unique to each manufacturer and channel.

Question 8

What is fenestration software?

Accepted Answer

Fenestration refers to the design and placement of openings in a building: windows, doors, skylights, and curtain walls. Fenestration software is any software built to support the manufacturing, quoting, installation, or management of these products. FlexCost is fenestration software focused on the quoting and sales side: helping manufacturers, dealers, and installers quote accurately and close faster.

Question 9

Do you need master data management (MDM) for CPQ?

Accepted Answer

Not with FlexCost. Traditional enterprise CPQ platforms often require a full master data management project to structure product and pricing data before quoting can begin. FlexCost is configured directly from your sales catalog and pricing rules, without requiring a separate MDM system or data modeling project.

Question 10

Why do CPQ implementation projects fail?

Accepted Answer

Most CPQ failures share the same root causes: scope that expands beyond the original brief, a requirement to complete full BOM or MDM work before any quoting can happen, and systems designed for manufacturing rather than sales workflows. When the project runs over budget or timeline, it gets deprioritized and stalls. FlexCost is designed with a sales-first setup path so you generate quote value early, before the implementation is "complete."

Question 11

How long does CPQ implementation take?

Accepted Answer

Legacy enterprise CPQ typically takes six to eighteen months from contract to live quoting. FlexCost CPQ targets two to four weeks for a functional quoting environment. The exact timeline depends on catalog complexity, the number of product lines, and any ERP or CRM integrations required.

Question 12

What is a window takeoff?

Accepted Answer

A window takeoff is the process of measuring and documenting every opening on a project, including window type, size, configuration, and any installation details, before ordering or quoting begins. Takeoffs are typically done on-site by an installer or dealer. Without software, crews rely on handwritten notes, photos, and memory, which leads to errors and back-and-forth with suppliers.

Question 13

What is window takeoff software?

Accepted Answer

Window takeoff software is a tool that helps window and door installers and dealers capture, structure, and submit project scope from a job site. Configure with Voice by FlexCost is a voice-first window takeoff tool: you speak what you see on site and the software structures it into a digital takeoff you can send to your dealer or supplier immediately.

Question 14

How is AI takeoff different from digital takeoff?

Accepted Answer

Digital takeoff tools typically require you to mark up plans on a screen, counting openings and entering dimensions manually in a digital format. AI takeoff goes further: you describe what you see in natural language (spoken or typed) and the AI interprets and structures the scope automatically. Configure with Voice uses AI to turn plain-language descriptions into structured window and door takeoffs without requiring you to be at a desk.

Question 15

How do voice takeoffs work for window and door installers?

Accepted Answer

With Configure with Voice, installers open the app on a phone or tablet, walk through a project, and speak what they see: window type, dimensions, opening conditions, and any special notes. The AI captures and structures each item automatically. At the end of the walk, the installer reviews the structured takeoff and sends it to their dealer or supplier from the job site, without a laptop or paperwork.

Question 16

How quickly can FlexCost be set up?

Accepted Answer

FlexCost is designed to launch faster than traditional CPQ systems, typically in weeks rather than months. Configure with Voice is the fastest entry point. You can start a free trial today. FlexCost CPQ onboarding includes guided setup, catalog configuration, and optional integrations, with a typical go-live of two to four weeks.

Question 17

Does FlexCost require a full Bill of Materials to get started?

Accepted Answer

No. FlexCost is specifically designed to avoid the need for a full BOM modeling project. It is built around sales workflows and catalog configurations, not manufacturing complexity, which means faster rollout and easier maintenance.

Question 18

What integrations does FlexCost support?

Accepted Answer

FlexCost CPQ and Commerce support custom integrations with ERP systems, CRMs, and other business tools. Configure with Voice is designed as a standalone takeoff tool that produces structured output you can use in any downstream workflow. Contact us to discuss your specific integration requirements.

Question 19

How much does FlexCost cost?

Accepted Answer

Configure with Voice is available on a monthly subscription with a 14-day free trial. FlexCost CPQ and Commerce are priced based on team size and catalog scope. Contact us for pricing specific to your business.

Question 20

Is there a free trial for FlexCost?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Configure with Voice includes a 14-day free trial with full access to all features. No credit card is required to start. FlexCost CPQ and Commerce include a guided evaluation period; contact us to arrange.

Question 21

Is my data secure?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FlexCost uses enterprise-grade encryption and follows industry-standard security practices. Your takeoffs, quotes, and customer information are completely secure and never shared with third parties.

Question 22

Can I cancel my subscription at any time?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Configure with Voice is available month-to-month with no long-term commitment required. FlexCost CPQ and Commerce are typically structured as annual agreements. Contact us to discuss what works for your business.

Question 23

What support is available?

Accepted Answer

All plans include email support and access to onboarding resources. FlexCost CPQ and Commerce include priority support and dedicated customer success as part of the implementation engagement. Concierge Service is available as an add-on for customers who want managed takeoff and quote preparation.

Question 24

What devices does FlexCost run on?

Accepted Answer

FlexCost runs in the browser on any modern device, including smartphones, tablets, and desktops. Configure with Voice is optimized for field use on phones and tablets. No app download or dedicated hardware is required.

Question 25

Does FlexCost work offline?

Accepted Answer

Configure with Voice runs in the browser, so active connectivity is needed to capture and sync data. Many crews complete takeoffs on normal job-site data coverage. For very remote sites, you can capture notes locally and sync when connectivity improves.

Question 26

As a manufacturer, how does FlexCost work for my dealer network?

Accepted Answer

FlexCost CPQ lets you configure your product catalog and pricing rules once. Dealers access the same validated quoting engine, so every quote from the channel reflects your product line correctly, without you having to manage separate dealer tools or spreadsheets. You can also add FlexCost Commerce to give dealers a self-serve online quoting portal.

Question 27

As a manufacturer, do I need to finish my BOM before dealers can quote?

Accepted Answer

No. FlexCost is configured around your sales catalog, not a manufacturing BOM. Your dealers can start quoting from a sales-ready configuration while you continue to add product depth in parallel. You do not need to complete a BOM modeling project before going live.

Question 28

As a dealer, can I set my own pricing in FlexCost?

Accepted Answer

Yes. FlexCost CPQ allows dealers to apply their own markup and pricing rules on top of manufacturer base pricing. Dealers maintain pricing autonomy without needing to manage separate spreadsheets or rebuild product logic from scratch.

Question 29

As a dealer, what if my manufacturer doesn't use FlexCost?

Accepted Answer

Configure with Voice and FlexCost CPQ can be set up independently of whether your manufacturer is on the platform. You configure FlexCost around your own product catalog and pricing, and your team quotes from it directly. If your manufacturer later adopts FlexCost, configuration data can be aligned without starting over.

Question 30

As an installer, what output do I get from a voice takeoff?

Accepted Answer

Configure with Voice produces a structured takeoff: a digital document listing each opening, window type, dimensions, and configuration notes in a format your dealer or supplier can act on immediately. You send it from the job site with no retyping, no paperwork, and no desk required.

Question 31

As an installer, can I use FlexCost for replacement windows?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Configure with Voice is used for both replacement window estimating and new construction takeoffs. For replacement projects, you capture existing opening dimensions and conditions on-site using voice or text, and FlexCost structures the output for your supplier or dealer.

Question 32

What is the FlexCost Concierge Service?

Accepted Answer

FlexCost Concierge Service is an optional managed service for Configure with Voice and FlexCost CPQ customers. You send in plans, drawings, or project details and the FlexCost team processes them into structured takeoffs and quote-ready projects inside the platform on your behalf.

Question 33

What is FlexCost Commerce used for?

Accepted Answer

FlexCost Commerce gives window and door manufacturers a customer-facing digital quoting layer built on their CPQ logic. It lets dealers and end customers configure products and get instant estimates online, extending your quoting engine into a self-serve digital sales channel without rebuilding your product rules.

Frequently asked
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What is FlexCost

CPQ & Quoting

Window & Door Takeoff

Setup & Implementation

Technical & Trust

Manufacturer, Dealer & Installer Questions

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