instant calculcated quote form

Example:

I am trying to make this an instant quote forum based on what I assign each item its price. Basically, say a person selects one item per field and it adds it calculates the total instantly including any setup fees.

If you aren't heading back to the server for calculations, you are stuck with javascript (imho)

Then, I want them to have the ability to print screen or "save quote" for future (this part being advanced and probably requiring much more work than I expect to do). I want them also to be able to email the quote to sales as is via the same form.

To save for future perusal, you can write all values into a db. Either set a cookie when they post or save their email address (preferred) for retrieval by customer.

I also need to make sure certain fields are properly validated including email.

Some guru will write a pretty regular expression for you but you can use basic php for stuff like checking for the @ symbol or a "."

if !strstr($email, '@'); {
echo "dude, that's not an email address!";
do a javscript history back(-1)
}
 But again javascript would be "cleaner". Here's a snippet of a massive form checker we use, it has checks for dropdowns, radios, text etc.

onSubmit="
  if( document.oform.onoff[0].checked==true ){
   // only check cc info if online is checked
   if( document.oform.ccexp_month.options.selectedIndex  == 0 ){
    alert('Please enter a valid credit card expiration. Thank you!');
    return false;
   }else if( document.oform.ccexp_year.options.selectedIndex  == 0 ){
    alert('Please enter a valid credit card expiration. Thank you!');
    return false;
   }else if( document.oform.cc_name.value == '' ){
    alert('Please enter the name on the credit card. Thank you!');
    return false;
   }else if( document.oform.cc_number.value == '' ){
    alert('Please enter a credit card number. Thank you!');
    return false;
   }else if( !document.oform.cctype[0].checked &&
             !document.oform.cctype[1].checked &&
             !document.oform.cctype[2].checked &&
             !document.oform.cctype[3].checked ){
    alert('Please enter a credit card type. Thank you!');
    return false;
   }
  }else if( document.oform.billing_email.value == '' ){
   alert('Please enter a billing e-mail address. Thank you!');
   return false;
  }else if( document.oform.billing_first.value == '' ){
   alert('Please enter a billing first name. Thank you!');
   return false;
  }else if( document.oform.billing_last.value == '' ){
   alert('Please enter a billing last name. Thank you!');
   return false;
  }else if( document.oform.billing_address1.value == '' ){
   alert('Please enter a billing address. Thank you!');
   return false;
  }else if( document.oform.billing_city.value == '' ){
   alert('Please enter a billing city. Thank you!');
   return false;
  }else if( document.oform.billing_state.value == '' ){
   alert('Please enter a billing state. Thank you!');
   return false;
  }else if( document.oform.billing_zip.value == '' ){
   alert('Please enter a billing postal code. Thank you!');
   return false;
  }else if( document.oform.billing_country.options.selectedIndex == 0 ){
   alert('Please select a billing country. Thank you!');
   return false;
  }else if( document.oform.shipping_address1.value != ''  &&
             document.oform.shipping_country.options.selectedIndex == 0 ){
   alert('Please select a shipping country. Thank you!');
   return false;
  }else{
   return true;
  }
">

I have 100% NO knowledge/expertise in coding so bear with me please

Here beginneth the lesson
:) You will need to get your hands dirty to make this work. I don't know of a "magic" script that'll do this for you!