Creating a variation on the Commusoft mobile app allows technicians to quote and win extra work while they are still on-site with the customer.
The workflow is guided by the Variation templates your office has set up. These templates ensure technicians charge the right labour rates, use approved suppliers, and gather the correct information before a quote is presented.
This guide walks through the end-to-end process of raising, building, and presenting a variation on a mobile device.
Adding a new variation to a job
You can raise a variation directly from the active job you are currently working on.
Open the relevant job on your mobile app.
Scroll down the job details screen to find the Variations section.
Tap Add to open the variation form.
Note: If Add is greyed out, variations have not been enabled for this job type. Ask your office to check the template setup.
Add variation
The first screen you will see is Add variation. Here, you must choose what the extra work applies to.
Tap an asset card from the list to add the variation against this job asset.
To add the variation against the property (no linked asset) tap Add variation, but not against an asset.
Tip
If the job has a long list of assets, tap the magnifying glass icon in the top right corner to search for an asset, or, tap the barcode icon to scan an asset barcode to search.
Select the main contact
The next screen is Who is the main contact?. Here, you will choose the person who should receive the variation quote and any related communications.
The main customer contact is selected by default.
If the contact's information needs updating (for example, if they have a new email address), tap on the contact to edit their details directly from this screen.
Tap Next in the top right corner to continue to the next step.
Proper fix
Next, you need to provide details and visual evidence for the variation.
Under the Upload photos section, tap the field to take new photos or upload existing ones from your device. These photos will appear in the file list and will be included on the final proposal document.
Tap the uploaded image to add annotations.
In the Description of required works field, type a clear, customer-facing explanation of the proposed work. This field is mandatory.
Tap Next to continue.
Labour
Select the time required to complete the work.
Tap the box that is closest to the time required from the available options (e.g., "1 hour", "2 hours").
Tap Next in the top right corner to continue.
Materials
On this screen, you can add parts to your variation, or proceed with just the labour costs.
Option 1: Quote for labour only
If no parts are required for the job, you do not need to add anything here.
Tap Next in the top right corner to continue.
Option 2: Add parts
If parts are required, follow these steps to add them to the quote:
Tap the purple + (plus) icon in the bottom right corner.
Tap the Search and add part button that appears.
You can scroll through the list or use the Search icon at the top to find specific items in your database.
Tap the + or - buttons on a part's card to adjust the quantity needed.
Once you have selected the correct quantities, tap Add (X) in the top right corner to add them to your quote.
Tap Pick supplier to see if there are any parts available at a local branch.
If no stock is available nearby, tap continue to move on to the next step.
Search nearby stock
This feature is only available for certain suppliers that integrate with Commusoft.
If you check local stock and the branch has the parts required, you can tap the location to begin creating a purchase order. The delivery method will automatically default to Collect from supplier.
Expenses
If any additional questions regarding expenses for the job need to be logged, they will show here. This may display a set cost for the expense, a cost selection, or a text field to enter the total of the expense.
Answer any prompts presented (e.g., "Is there parking charge?").
Review, select, or enter the cost as required based on the options provided.
Tap Next in the top right corner to continue.
Present to customer
This screen displays the description of the work, any diagnostic fees that apply and the total price of the variation.
Diagnostic Fees: If the office has enabled a diagnostic fee for this variation, the customer will see the cost of their original call-out added to this new variation total, ensuring they understand the full amount due.
Let the customer review the variation proposal details. There are three options for proceeding from this screen:
Sign and accept: If the customer is happy to proceed, tap this button to capture their signature on the device. The variation is immediately added to the job you are currently on, and you can carry out the works right away.
If a deposit is due, the Payment screen will be displayed next. Select the customer's preferred payment method (e.g., QR code, Tap to pay, SumUp, or Other) and follow the prompts to capture the payment.
Once the signature (and payment, if required) are completed, the variation is marked as Accepted. It is immediately added to the job you are currently on, and you can carry out the works right away.
Skip: If the customer cannot or doesn't want to sign now, tap the Skip button in the top right corner. The system saves your quote and automatically deflects the variation to the office to follow up later.
Email / SMS: Tap the envelope icon in the bottom left to send the proposal to the customer via their chosen communication method. This will also deflect the variation to the office.
The customer can decide to sign for it later via the proposal portal (if a portal link is included in your office's email/SMS templates).
Warranty check variations
Some job types use a Warranty Check template instead of the standard one. It exists so you never quote a price for work the manufacturer should be covering.
The first two screens are the same. The third changes to a single question: does the extra work require a warranty check?
Answer Yes and the app skips pricing and labour entirely, taking you to Inform the Office.
Write a clear technical assessment. For example: "Inverter underperforming; unit within manufacturer warranty period, office to confirm coverage."
Photograph the data plate and any error codes.
Tap Save.
The variation goes to the office with the status Ongoing (Awaiting Office Review).
Tip: This takes the liability decision away from you, in front of the customer. You are not guessing at warranty coverage on someone's doorstep.
What happens next?
Once you finish the workflow, the variation will show one of the following statuses on your job screen:
Accepted: The customer signed on-site and paid any required deposits. The variation was added directly to your current job.
Ongoing: The variation was deflected to the office and they will need to manage the opportunity from here.
Rejected: The customer explicitly declined the extra work later via the portal or office follow-up.
Common questions
Add is greyed out on the Variations section.
Add is greyed out on the Variations section.
Variations are not enabled for this job type. Your office needs to link a variation template to it.
The customer will not be back for hours. Do I have to wait?
The customer will not be back for hours. Do I have to wait?
No. Tap Skip on the present to customer screen. The quote is saved and deflected to the office as Ongoing for them to follow up.
Should I raise a variation or record a defect?
Should I raise a variation or record a defect?
A variation is for work that must happen to complete the job you are on. A defect or recommendation is for an unrelated fault, or possible future work the customer might want later.
I found a second problem after finishing the first variation.
I found a second problem after finishing the first variation.
Add another one. You can raise as many variations as you need on the same job, and they sit alongside each other.
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