How to Manage Linked Variation Jobs

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Create Jobs

View/Edit Jobs

Create Variations

If you do not need to quote a variation, create a linked variation job. This job can then be approved, managed, and invoiced separately while still being included in the original job reporting.

To create a linked variation job:

1. Access the job, and then go to Cost Centre List > Linked Variations. The Linked Variations sub-tab appears only after you have added parts or labour in a cost centre in the original job.
   • To add a variation to a service job, click Cost Centres in the job breadcrumbs and access the Cost Centre List.
2. Under Jobs, click Create Variation, and then click OK to confirm. The customer, site, and contact details are automatically completed using information from the original job.
3. In the new job, click Next.
4. Create the variation by adding sections, cost centres, and parts and labour as normal for jobs. Learn more in How to Create a Service Job and How to Build Your Project.
5. If retention AU, NZ, UK: Retention. A portion of your payment withheld either from you by the customer, or from a contractor by your business until the project is completed to specific standards. is required on the variation, go to Details > Settings to Set up retention for a project as normal.
   • To access the original job from a variation job, go Details > Settings. And, click the required original job number under Options.
6. Click Save or Finish to update your changes.

The variation appears in your jobs table with the original job number as well as the variation number. It also appears in the original job and the variation job log.

If you have the original job and the linked variation open at the same time, click Finish > Edit Job in the original job to update the Linked Variation sub-tab.

US only: If you use Simpro Premium in the United States, the term 'retainage' is used instead of 'retention'.

Merge a linked variation job

To display the original project and the linked variation on the same invoice, merge your linked variation job with the original project.

To merge a linked variation with the original job:

1. Locate the linked variation in the jobs table.
2. Click Options > Merge Job.
3. Search and select the job number of the original job.
4. Click Merge.

Merged variation jobs are automatically added to the Primary tab.

Merging a variation with a job is not reversible.

If a linked variation quote or job no longer needs to be tied to the original job, unlink it so that it becomes a stand alone quote or job.

To unlink a variation:

1. Access the original job that the variation is linked to, and then go to Cost Centre List > Linked Variations.
2. Next to the variation that needs to be unlinked click Options > Unlink Variation.
3. Click Ok. The variation is now a stand alone quote or job with no reference to the original job.