On the homepage, click on Estimates on the main menu or top navigation menu.
Image 1: Accessing estimates from the homepage.
Click on +Add Estimate and fill in the required fields. Note that fields marked with an asterisk (*) are compulsory and must be filled if you wish to proceed.
The Name of Estimate should be something that will help you identify the property or job easily. For example, the property address, a job number or your client’s name. Use the drop down menu to view and select an option for the rest of the fields.
Click Save to proceed.
Image 2: Adding a new estimate.
Click on the tick icon within the Set column to set an estimate as Active. Only active estimates will be linked to the databases. You may add items from different databases to an active estimate.
Tip: It's important that you add items to the correct Active estimate. The most recent item added is indicated in pink.
Next, click on the icon in the View column to start adding data to your estimate.
Image 3: Turning an estimate into a work area.
Creating a work area heading
Start building your estimate by typing a name in the Category column. Select a category from the suggested list. After selecting a category, click on the plus icon to add it in your estimate.
Image 4: Adding a category
Site preliminaries are always a good starting point for an estimate whether or not you are using the detailed database. Suggested categories can be of your own choosing or even a breakdown of work area by room. If you are adding items from a database, tick the Set As Active checkbox to ensure that you are adding items from a database within the work area.
Image 5: Making a category active.
Important note: Close the Estimate when adding items and open the Active Estimate to refresh the page. To refresh the page, click on the refresh/reload icon on your browser.
Click on Databases to add data price items.
Adding data to a work area
Once you are in the Databases section, follow these steps to add items to your estimate:
- Click on the drop down menu to select a database.
- Click on the category that is active in your estimate to view its related components and recipes.
- Select a component (labour, material or plant hire) or recipe (install costs) to view related tips, items, pricing and recipe details.
- Click on the large orange plus ‘+’ icon to add an item to your active estimate.
- Click on View Active Estimate to see all the items you have added to your active estimate.
Image 6: Adding items from a database.
Adding custom items
You may also add custom items by typing the item name in the Category column and filling in the Quantity and Unit fields. Click on the large orange plus '+' icon to add the custom item in your estimate.
Image 7: Adding a custom item to an estimate.
Dragging and dropping items
If you wish to move a category, untick Set As Active then click and drag it up or down as required. The best place to click and drag the category is from the total column. To drag a category, left click and hold on the mouse. To continue adding items to the work area, tick Set As Active.
Image 8: Changing the order of items in an estimate.