Estimate Not Generating

If Sammy isn't generating your estimate, or the generation seems stuck, here are the common causes and solutions.

Common Causes#

1. Not Enough Information#

Sammy needs sufficient detail to generate an estimate. Very short descriptions may not give enough context.

Solution: Add more detail to your job description. Include:

• What work needs to be done
• Approximate dimensions or quantities
• Materials if known
• Any special conditions

Too short: "Build deck"

Better: "Build 4m x 3m timber deck at rear of house. Merbau boards, 3 steps to lawn."

2. Internet Connection Issues#

Estimate generation requires a stable internet connection.

Solution:

• Check your internet connection
• Try refreshing the page
• Wait a moment and try again

3. Large Media Files Still Processing#

If you've uploaded large videos or many images, they may still be processing.

Solution:

• Wait for all uploads to complete (progress indicators will finish)
• Try generating the estimate after uploads are done
• For large videos, this can take a few minutes
• If you imported the job from ServiceM8 or Simpro, Sammy prepares any big videos straight after the import. The Generate button stays greyed out until that finishes, so give it a minute.
• If Sammy says he could only look at some of your files because a video was too big, remove that video from the estimate and add it again with Add media. That makes a lighter copy Sammy can watch.

4. Browser Issues#

Occasionally browser cache or extensions can cause problems.

Solution:

• Try refreshing the page
• Clear your browser cache
• Try a different browser
• Disable browser extensions temporarily

5. Session Timeout#

If you've been inactive for a while, your session may have timed out.

Solution:

• Refresh the page
• If prompted, log in again
• Your draft should be saved

What to Check#

Is There an Error Message?#

Look for any error notifications that appear. These often explain what went wrong.

Is the Generate Button Responsive?#

• If the button is greyed out, you may need to add more content first
• If the button shows a loading spinner, generation is in progress

Has It Been Running for a Long Time?#

Normal generation takes a few seconds to a minute. If it's been several minutes:

• Refresh the page
• Try generating again
• Your job description should be saved

Step-by-Step Fix#

1. Refresh the page – Often resolves temporary issues
2. Check your job description – Ensure it has enough detail
3. Check media uploads – Make sure all files finished uploading
4. Try again – Click Generate Estimate
5. Check your internet – Ensure you have a stable connection
6. Try a different browser – Rule out browser-specific issues

If the Problem Persists#

Clear Browser Data#

1. Open browser settings
2. Find "Clear browsing data" or "Clear cache"
3. Clear cached files and cookies
4. Refresh the page and try again

Try Incognito/Private Mode#

Open a private browser window and log in again. This rules out extension conflicts.

Check Service Status#

Occasionally there may be temporary service issues. Check back in a few minutes.

Getting Help#

If you've tried the above and estimates still won't generate:

1. Note any error messages you see
2. Take a screenshot of the issue
3. Contact support with details of what you've tried

Related Articles#

• Create Your First Estimate
• What File Types Can I Upload?