Creating Estimates in Structur
Structur's estimating tool helps you build accurate and detailed estimates, which form the bedrock of your project financials. This article will guide you through creating an estimate from scratch and using templates.
Creating an Estimate
Once you have a lead, you can create an estimate:
Access the Estimate Section: Open the lead / project and navigate to the "Estimates" tab.
Create a New Estimate: Click "Create New Estimate."
Choose Your Starting Point:
Start from Scratch: Begin with a blank slate and add cost codes and groups manually.
Use a Template: Select from a library of pre-built templates (e.g., "Commercial Project") OR you can add your own templates!
Working with Templates
Templates provide a convenient starting point for your estimates. When using a template, you can:
Input Project Details: Fill in key project information such as estimator name, square footage, and estimated hours.
Review and Customize: The template will populate with relevant cost code groups and items. You can customize these to match your project's specific needs.
Adding Cost Codes and Groups
Whether starting from scratch or using a template, you can add cost codes and groups to organize your estimate:
Groups: Think of groups as folders that hold related cost codes.
Cost Codes: Structur offers a standardized list of cost codes. Simply type in keywords (e.g., "Plumbing") to find and add relevant codes.
Line Items: Within each cost code, add detailed line items with descriptions, quantities, and unit costs.
Estimate Calculations
Structur automatically calculates your estimate totals, including:
Direct Costs: The sum of all your line item costs.
Markup: Apply markup at the division or line item level.
Overhead: Set your overhead percentage.
Profit: Define your profit margin. You can choose to calculate profit on top of markup or on direct costs.
Estimate Settings
Access the estimate settings to:
Adjust Profit Calculation: Change how profit is calculated (on top of markup or direct costs).
Convert to Template: Save your customized estimate as a template for future use.
Manage Templates: Edit existing templates or create new ones.
Importing from CSV
You can import estimate data from a CSV file. This is helpful if you're transitioning from another software or prefer to work with spreadsheets.
Additional Features
Estimate Notes: Keep a running list of notes for individual line items.
Proposal Generation: Once your estimate is finalized, you can easily generate a professional proposal to send to your client.
Need Help?
If you have questions or need assistance with the estimating feature, please don't hesitate to contact our support team.