Estimate templates can speed up your estimating/quoting, improve accuracy and help you win more work.
There are four ways to set up an estimate template in Buildxact, click on any item from the list below to be taken to the steps or watch the video below -
Here is a 9 min video showing the different ways you can set up an estimate template.
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.
1.Create a template from scratch
Scenario - You have an idea of what your ultimate estimate would look like and want to build it inside Buildxact from scratch to be able to use on 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 the 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.
The template will now be save in the template section. To view the template you just created and use it again. Click on Estimates in the left-hand navigation menu, in the second menu that pops out click on Templates.
2.Create a template from an imported excel file
Scenario - 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.
A dialog box will pop out. Fill out Description, Building Type, example Customer Name, and check the box "Import items from my Excel spreadsheet". Click OK.
Another dialog box will pop out with 4 steps you will need to complete. First step, select the spreadsheet you want to upload.
Second step, match up the data in the spreadsheet to the correct heading using the drop down menus and click next.
Third step, check all or some on the line items you want to import and click on the "Import estimate items" button.
The estimate will open. Click on the "Estimate costings" tab and check everything has imported, make any changes.
In the top right-hand corner change the estimate from "Draft" 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.
If you need more information on importing estimate click the button below.
3.Create a template from an existing estimate
Scenario - You have an estimate you previously created which you want to use ongoing for other estimates. 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 the 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.
4.Create a template from a Buildxact template
Scenario - You a like the Buildxact template, but you would like to make it more customized to your business. You can access and copy any of the Buildxact estimate templates to make your own.
Click on "Estimate" in the left-hand navigation menu.
In the second menu that pops out click on "Templates" and see the list of Buildxact estimates templates and find the estimate template you want to create a template from.
Click the green plus (+) button to copy the Buildxact template you want to copy.
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.