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.
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 'Create'.
You can now populate all the estimate template details under the 'Estimate Costings' tab by clicking the green plus '+' icon (6). 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 you just created.
Create a template from an excel file
Note: these steps assume the formatting of your excel file is correct. For more info on the required format, please see here.
You can create/import a template in Buildxact from an existing estimate excel file. Follow these steps:
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.
The following screen will appear:
Scroll to the bottom of the page and click on 'Import from excel'.
The following dialog box will pop out. If you're unsure about the compatibility of your excel file you can choose to download your file and ensure that the format is correct (that is, one column per type of information, no formulas or images). When you're confident that your file is aligned, click on Start Import.
Drag and drop your Excel file or click on Add file to upload the file you want to import.
The following screen will appear. Check that the incoming fields match the destination fields within Buildxact and click 'Continue'.
The estimate will open.
Click on the 'Estimate costings' tab and check everything has imported, make any changes.
Go to the right of the estimate description and click on the Draft drop down menu. Select Create template from this estimate.
The template will now be saved in the template section. To edit/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 an existing estimate in Buildxact
You can create an estimate template from an estimate you've previously created within Buildxact. You will need to copy the previous estimate and then save it as a template. Follow these steps:
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 open it.
Go to the right of the estimate description and click on the Draft drop down menu. Select Create template from this estimate.
The template will now be saved in the template section. To edit/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 'Estimates' in the left-hand navigation menu.
In the second menu that pops out, click on 'Estimates'.
Click the green plus 'Create New' button.
The following screen will appear. Click on the Buildxact template you want to use.
Make any necessary updates to the estimate and fill out the information under the Configuration heading on the right-hand side. When you're finished, click on 'Use Template'.
Go to the right of the estimate description and click on the Draft drop down menu. Select Create template from this estimate.
The template will now be saved in the template section. To edit/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.