Picture this: You are standing in a customer's backyard, discussing a fence repair. Your hands are covered in dirt from inspecting the damage. Instead of fumbling with your phone keyboard, you simply tap a button and start talking. A few seconds later, you have a professional quote ready to review.
That is the power of voice input in SemaQuote.
This guide shows you how to make the most of this feature, from your first recording to polishing your final quote.
How Voice Input Works
When you tap the microphone button, SemaQuote starts listening. Speak naturally about the work you want to quote, including the client name, job description, materials, and pricing. The app records your voice, sends it to our secure servers, and converts your speech into text.
But here is where it gets clever: SemaQuote does not just transcribe your words. It analyzes what you said and extracts the important details, organizing them into a structured quote you can edit and send.
Good to know: Voice input is a Pro feature, available to subscribers and anyone during their free trial period. Check your subscription status if you are unsure about your access.
Start Your First Voice Quote
Ready to try it? Here is how to create a quote using your voice:
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Open the SemaQuote app and go to the Quotes tab.
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Tap the + button or New Quote to start a fresh quote.
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Look for the microphone icon in the top right corner and tap it.
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If this is your first time, grant microphone permission when prompted.
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Wait for "Listening..." to appear on screen, then start speaking.
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When you have finished describing the job, stop talking. The app will process your recording.
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Review the transcript that appears and tap Create Quote to continue.
That is it. You have just created your first voice quote.
What to Say: Examples That Work
The best results come from speaking naturally and including all the relevant details. Think of it like explaining the job to a colleague over the phone.
Here are some examples to inspire you:
A quick, simple quote:
"Quote for John Smith. Two hours of labor at 85 dollars per hour. Plus materials, 150 dollars for lumber."
A detailed job with multiple items:
"This is a quote for ABC Construction, contact email john@abcconstruction.com. The job is a fence repair at 123 Oak Street. Labor is 4 hours at 75 dollars per hour. Materials include 8 fence posts at 12 dollars each and 20 boards at 8 dollars each. Add 10 percent for waste allowance."
Including notes for yourself or the client:
"Quote for Sarah Johnson for kitchen cabinet installation. Labor is 800 dollars for the full installation. Customer is providing the cabinets. Note that we need to verify measurements before starting. Valid for 30 days."
Notice how each example follows a natural flow: who it is for, what the work is, and what it costs. You do not need to use any special keywords or format. Just talk.
Tips for Crystal-Clear Transcription
Getting accurate transcriptions depends on how and where you record. A few small adjustments can make a big difference:
Speak Clearly, Not Slowly
You do not need to talk like a robot. Speak at your normal pace, but enunciate clearly. Pause briefly between different pieces of information to help the system understand where one item ends and another begins.
Be Specific with Numbers
"Eighty-five dollars" transcribes more reliably than "85 bucks." For quantities, "four hours" works better than "a few hours." The more precise you are, the less editing you will need later.
Find a Quieter Spot
If you are on a noisy job site, step away from running equipment or machinery before recording. Wind can interfere with the microphone too. Even moving a few feet can make a noticeable difference.
Hold Your Phone Right
Keep your phone about 6 to 12 inches from your mouth. You do not need to hold it right up to your face, but do not let it hang at your side either. Think of it like talking to someone standing next to you.
Start with the Client
Begin by saying who the quote is for before diving into the line items. This helps the system organize the information correctly from the start.
Pro tip: If you make a mistake while recording, do not stop. Just say "scratch that" or "let me start over" and keep going. You can clean it up when editing.
Understanding Your Transcript
After you stop recording, the app takes a moment to process your audio. What appears next is a transcript, a text version of everything you said.
Take a moment to review it. Check that:
- The client name is spelled correctly (or close enough to fix easily)
- Numbers and prices match what you said
- The job description makes sense
If something looks off, you have two options: tap Try Again to make a new recording, or proceed and fix the details in the quote editor. Most users find it faster to edit small mistakes than to re-record.
Polishing Your Quote
Think of voice input as a fast way to capture the basics while details are fresh in your mind. After processing, you will land in the quote editor where you can:
- Fix any transcription errors
- Add or remove line items
- Adjust quantities and prices
- Attach photos of the job site
- Include additional notes for your client
Voice input gets you 80% of the way there in seconds. The editor helps you handle the remaining 20%.
Troubleshooting Voice Issues
If voice input is not working as expected, here is how to diagnose and fix common problems:
The microphone button does not respond
- Check permissions. Go to your device Settings, find SemaQuote, and make sure Microphone access is enabled.
- Update the app. An older version may have bugs that have since been fixed.
- Restart the app. Close SemaQuote completely and reopen it.
Transcription is inaccurate
- Move to a quieter location. Background noise is the most common cause of transcription errors.
- Slow down slightly. If you are rushing, try speaking just a bit slower.
- Check your connection. Transcription requires sending audio to our servers. A weak connection can cause issues.
Processing takes too long
- Keep recordings under two minutes. Longer recordings take more time to process.
- Check your internet speed. A slow connection delays results.
- Try a shorter recording. If processing times out, break your quote into smaller chunks.
The app says you do not have access
- Verify your subscription. Voice input is a Pro feature. If your trial has ended, you will need to subscribe to continue using it.
- Check your subscription status. Go to Settings in the app to see your current plan.
Your Privacy Matters
We take your privacy seriously. Here is what happens to your recordings:
- Your voice is sent to our secure servers for transcription
- Audio files are deleted immediately after processing
- We do not store your recordings or use them for any other purpose
- The transcript stays in your quote until you edit or delete it
Your voice data is never shared, sold, or used for training. It exists only long enough to create your transcript.
When Voice Input Is Not the Right Choice
Voice input is powerful, but it is not always the best tool for the job. Consider typing instead when:
- You are in an extremely noisy environment where transcription would struggle
- You need to create a very detailed quote with technical specifications
- You prefer the precision of typing out exact amounts
To create a quote the traditional way, simply skip the microphone button on the new quote screen and start filling in the fields manually. Voice input is here to save you time, but it is one option among several.
What's Next?
Now that you know how to use voice input, explore these related features:
- Create detailed line items: Learn how to structure your quotes professionally.
- Send quotes to clients: Share your work with a single tap.
- Set up notifications: Know instantly when clients view or approve your quotes.
Happy quoting!