Calculator – For creating the estimate sheet

Calculator tab is the one where the items to be displayed in the estimate sheet to be created. We can call the variables and formulas, and we can customize how our estimate should display.

Steps to use calculator.

1. Calculate ----> Create ----> Create the template name ----> click create (Eg: Paint)

2. Here we can create any number of quote format and can use the required one as default.

3. Select the check box to this the template as the default one.

4. Open the template by clicking on the name and the first step is to display the Material name.

5. Click create and follow the steps below

Material name column creation - The Material Name Column allows you to display and organize the names of materials used in your project, ensuring clear identification and better management of materials throughout the estimation process.

Enter the name of the first column to be displayed in the estimate sheet (Material name). Refer the image below.

· Material name

· Takeoff area

· Unit

· Cost price

· Quantity

· No of coats

· Total budget

· Profit margin

· Sell

· Labor productivity

· Total labor productivity

6. Select the group from the drop-down menu. We can also add a new group by clicking on the create new option. Group is used to display the material grouped under a certain category. In the above image the material is grouped under the name material.

7. Select the field type from the drop-down menu. Since the material name is text select it as text.

8. Select the Value characteristics from the below check boxes

9. Enter the formula. Since the material name is to be displayed, we select the material name variable by clicking on the + button next to it and click create.

Now the first column of the estimate sheet is prepared. This can be view by clicking the following two options

¨ Option 1: Move to the takeoff panel where the measurements is done and click estimate from the main menu

¨ Option 2: Select Takeoff drop down and select takeoff. This takes to the job creation panel and click view calculator.

Creating take-off Area Column: The Take-off Area Column allows you to display and track the calculated area measurements for materials or sections in your project. This column helps organize and present the area data accurately within your estimates.

· Enter Take-off Area in the name

· Material as group

· Since the measurements are numbers select field type as number

· Select Calculate sum check box (This is selected to sum up all the takeoff areas in a particular takeoff condition created)

· Create Takeoffarea as variable since it should be used by the other columns (without space)

· Create formula. This is to display the measurements calculated in the takeoff part. We need an area to be displayed. So, we are selecting the area variable, also we have measured using linear where the height can be given, and we need to display that in this case.

· So thus, the formula is {{area}}+({{heightofwall}}*{{length}})

· Click create.

Creating Unit Column: The Unit Column allows you to specify the units of measurement for each material or item in your estimate, such as square feet, meters, or pieces. This ensures consistency and clarity in your project’s quantities and helps with accurate calculations.

1. Enter name as unit

2. Select material as group

3. Select text as field type

4. Select UoM variable from the variables option

5. Formula is created to display the unit of measure

6. Click create.

Creating Cost price Column: The Cost Price Column allows you to input and display the cost of each material or item in your project estimate. This helps in tracking material expenses and ensures accurate cost calculations throughout the estimation process.

1. Enter name as Cost Price

2. Select material as Group

3. Select Number as Field type

4. Select Monetary field as the cost price is in $

5. Select Is editable so that the price can be edited in the estimate sheet

6. Select Landedprice variable

7. Formula is created to display the landed price that was given for a particular material in the material management section.

8. Click create.

Creating Quantity Column: The Quantity Column allows you to input and display the quantity of each material or item in your project estimate. This column helps track the amount needed for each material, ensuring accurate measurements and cost calculations.

The material formula was created before in the material formula tab of the configuration panel to calculate the paint material required in gallons under the variable name Quantity.

1. Enter name as Quantity

2. Select material as Group

3. Select Number as Field type

4. Select Quantity column from the check box.

5. Select quantity from the variables to display it in the estimate sheet

6. Since paint is measured in gallons, we make use of the Unit type option and select as static from the drop-down menu (the other option available in the drop down is dynamic). Since unit doesn't change, we select static.

7. Enter the Unit name in unit text box as gallon

8. Click Create.

Creating No of Coats Column:

The number of coats was already defined as a characteristic and was given the value after measuring the area in the plan. We need to display this in the estimate sheet. No. Of coats variable was already created in the characteristic's definition part, so we just need to display that.

1. Enter name as No of coats

2. Select material as Group

3. Select Number as Field type

4. The number of coats is defined as editable in this template.

5. Select the variable noofcoats

6. Formula is defined

7. Click create.

Creating Total Budget Column:

The total budget is the total cost of the material that we need for the project. Thus, we need to create the formula which calculates the total material.

1. Enter name as Total Buget.

2. Select material as Group

3. Select Number as Field type

4. The Total Buget is monetary field.

5. It is Budget Column

6. Define the variable name as Total budget since this variable is to be used while preparing the labor cost

7. Formula is defined as in the image to get the total quantity

8. Click create

Creating Profit margin Column: The Profit Margin Column allows you to specify and display the profit margin applied to each material or item in your estimate. This helps ensure that your pricing reflects the desired profit on each item, allowing for more accurate and profitable project estimates.

1. Enter name as Profit margin.

2. Select material as Group

3. Select Number as Field type

4. Profit margin is just the constant term so click on custom column and enter the profit percent. When custom column is selected the formula box doesn’t apply and doesn’t show up.

5. It is editable. The margin can be edited.

6. Define the variable name as profitmargin since this variable is to be used while preparing the labor cost

7. Click create

Creating Sell Column: The Sell Column allows you to display the selling price for each material or item in your project estimate. This column helps track the final selling price, incorporating costs, profit margins, and any other adjustments for accurate pricing and project profitability.

1. Enter name as Sell.

2. Select material as Group

3. Select Number as Field type

4. Sell is a monetary field.

5. If we need to show the sell column in the quote, select Show in Quote text box.

6. Define the formula as shown in the image. Profit margin and total budget variables that were created earlier were used in this formula.

7. Click create

Creating Labor productivity Column: The Labor Productivity Column allows you to track and display the productivity rates for labor involved in your project. This column helps measure the efficiency of labor tasks, allowing for better planning, scheduling, and cost estimation based on productivity rates.

1. Enter name as Labor productivity.

2. Select material as Group

3. Select Number as Field type

4. Labor productivity variable was declared in the variable tab, so we are just about to display the labor productivity. Select the variables and create the formula.

5. Labor cost is the labor productivity defined in the material management section.

6. Click create.

Creating Total Labor productivity Column: The Total Labor Productivity Column provides a comprehensive view of the total labor productivity for your project. It combines labor hours and productivity rates to calculate the overall labor efficiency, helping you assess labor costs and project timelines more accurately.

1. Enter name as Total Labor productivity.

2. Select material as Group

3. Select Number as Field type

4. Select Calculate Sum,

5. Select labor productivity field, show in quote.

6. Unit type to be defined

7. Unit is defined in Hrs.

8. Select the formula from the variable

9. Total quantity formula is created as in the image.

10. Click create.

Creating Location Column: The Location Column allows you to specify and display the location of each material or item within your project. This helps in organizing materials by different project areas or zones, ensuring efficient tracking and management of resources across various locations.

1. Enter name as Location.

2. Select material as Group

3. Select text as Field type

4. Select location from the variable list. This is entered in the takeoff section while measuring the area or length.

5. Enter the formula to display the location

6. Click create.

Changing order in calculator:

We can change the order of the column that is to be displayed in the estimate sheet

Once the calculator is done either select the estimate option in the takeoff panel or the view calculator in the job drive panel and then the estimate sheet appears, as below.

Creating Groups:

The group to which the materials created in the take-off can be added from the group tab.

· Click on to group tab

· Click create

· Enter the name and click create.

· There are options to edit and delete the groups