Estimate templates can speed up your estimating/quoting, improve accuracy and help you win more work.
There are several ways to set up an estimate template in Buildxact. See the steps below for details.
The following video also outlines the different ways you can set up an estimate template.
Create an estimate template from scratch
Choose to create your estimate template from scratch in Buildxact if you have an idea of what your ultimate estimate would look like, and you want to use it for multiple estimates.
Click on 'Estimates' in the left-hand navigation menu.
In the second menu that pops out click on 'Templates'.
Click the green 'Create New' button.
A dialog box will appear, enter a Template Description and Building Type, and click 'OK'.
Populate all the estimate template details under the 'Estimate Costings' tab by clicking the green plus icon. You can also populate other areas of the estimate if needed.
When you have finished adding the categories you wish to include, the template will be saved in the template section. To view your template and use it again, click on Estimates in the left-hand navigation menu, in the second menu that pops out, click on Templates and select the template.
Create a template from an imported excel file
Choose to create a template from an excel file if you have an existing estimate you use in excel that you want to import and use in Buildxact.
Click on 'Estimates' in the left-hand navigation menu.
In the second menu that pops out click on 'Estimates'.
Click the green 'Create New' button.
On the next screen, click on 'Import from excel'. Click OK.
A dialog box will pop out. Click on Start Import.
Drag and drop your Excel file or click on Add file to upload the file you want to import.
Click Import.
The following screen will appear. Click Continue.
9. The estimate will open. Click on the 'Estimate costings' tab and check everything has imported, make any changes.
10. Change the estimate from Draft to Template.
The template will now be saved in the template section. To view the template and use it again or set it as the default template, click on 'Estimates' in the left-hand navigation menu, in the second menu that pops out click on 'Templates', your new template should be showing at the top of the list.
If you need more information on importing estimates from Excel, click the button below.
Create a template from an existing estimate
You can create an estimate template from an estimate you've previously created. You will need to copy the previous estimate and then save it as a template.
Click on 'Estimates' in the left-hand navigation menu.
In the second menu that pops out click on 'Estimates' again to see the list of your current estimates.
Find the estimate you want to create a template from and click the blue copy button to create a copy of that estimate.
A dialog box will pop out. Fill out Description, Building Type, and enter an example Customer Name. Tick the items that you would like to copy across to the template. Click OK.
Make any necessary updates to the estimate and go to the top right-hand corner and change the status of the estimate to 'Template'.
The template will now be saved in the template section. To view the template you just created and use it again or set it as the default template, click on 'Estimates' in the left-hand navigation menu, in the second menu that pops out click on 'Templates', your new template should be showing at the top of the list.
Create a template from a Buildxact template
If you like a Buildxact template, but you would like to customize it to your business, you can access and copy any of the Buildxact estimate templates and make them your own.
Click on 'Estimate' in the left-hand navigation menu.
In the second menu that pops out, click on 'Templates' and view the list of Buildxact estimates templates. Select the Buildxact template you want to create a template from.
Click the green plus '+' button to copy the Buildxact template you want.
A dialog box will pop out. Fill out Description, Building Type, and enter an example Customer Name. Tick the items that you would like to copy across to the template. Click OK.
Make any necessary updates to the estimate and go to the top right-hand corner and change the status of the estimate to 'Template'.
The template will now be saved in the template section. To view the template you just created and use it again or set it as the default template, click on 'Estimates' in the left-hand navigation menu, in the second menu that pops out click on 'Templates', your new template should be showing at the top of the list.
Important note: Once you've created your ultimate template, you can make it your default template, so every time you create a new estimate it uses the default you have set. To view the help article on setting a default template, click the button below.