Estimate properties

Estimate number, title, and size

• Source and lead or project number

  Estimates can be created for leads and projects. However, this cannot be manually changed after the estimate has been created.

• Estimate number

  Within a lead or project, estimates are numbered using the format 001, 002, 003, and so on. Sage Construction Management automatically populates this text field, but you can manually change it.

• Estimate title

  If there are multiple estimates for a given lead or project, the estimate title must be unique. For example, Base Bid, Alt 1, Alt 2, and so on.

• Size and units

  Typically, the estimate size is the structure size. For example, if the structure being built is 3,000 square feet, the size is 3000 and the units are SF. If this value is not known or is not applicable, enter 1 for the size and LS for the units.

Estimate reviewer

The reviewer or estimating user is the person responsible for reviewing the final estimate before sending out the proposal.

Prospect or customer

It’s recommended to import the prospect or customer instead of entering this information manually. The options listed in the popup form are firms that are included in the lead or project directory. Selecting a contact is also recommended if the estimate proposal will be emailed.

Auto populate estimate cost codes

Estimates are broken down into sections which can either be entered manually, imported, or dynamically created when items are added from a cost database. In the latter scenario, the coding structure that's used to classify cost database items should be referenced in the Code Type field. Typically, this is the name of your master cost code structure because cost database items and estimate sections use the same system.

The recommended setting for Code Level is Lowest. This is because master cost codes can be up to four tiers deep, such as division, major, minor, and subminor, and cost database items can reference codes at any one of these four levels. Thus, this will ensure that the appropriate code is used when estimate cost codes are added dynamically.

In case the code type or level do not match the way cost database items are classified, an 'unc - Unclassified' section is created.

Learn more here.

Categorize items with user-defined locations

Locations are estimate specific and can be used to categorize line items similar to cost codes. When you select the Enable Locations field, the Locations tab appears in the estimate so locations can be added or imported from another estimate.

Examples of locations:

• Residential: kitchen, family room, master bedroom, master bathroom, 2nd bedroom, 3rd bedroom
• Commercial: lobby, break room, room 102, room 202, floor 1 hallway, floor 1 bathrooms

If you import estimates using a Microsoft Excel file and the imported file includes locations, the Enable Locations option in the Estimate Property Details page is selected automatically.

Default database and RS means pricing localization

• Default database

  The default database is applicable when adding cost database items to an estimate. Local refers to your own database in Sage Construction Management. RS Means cost databases are also available, but at an additional charge. Like Local, a purchased RS Means cost database can be set as the default.

• RS Means city, state, and zip/postal code

  If an RS Means database is selected, then the city, state, and ZIP code can be specified to have a localized pricing instead of using the national average price.

Learn more on RS Means localized pricing here.

Default Sage Construction Management labor and equipment location rates

Default and location-based rates can be established in the labor and equipment cost database. The latter is beneficial for contractors who perform work in multiple cities or counties that have distinct rates. The specified location is based on the lead or project address.

Learn more on Labor and Equipment Locations here.

Proposal date and valid thru dates

Both proposal and valid thru dates can be shown on estimate proposals using a bookmark.

Overall status

The overall status is useful when multiple estimates have been prepared for a job, such as Base Bid, Alt 1, and Alt 2, and the customer or prospect awards only one or a few depending on the budget. The latter is applicable on government jobs.

Estimate RFP package locking

RFP packages can be used to request and collect subcontractor or supplier pricing for estimate line items. At some point in the bidding process, pricing needs to be locked so outside vendors cannot make changes through the TeamLink Portal.

This is important when a proposal has been sent to the prospect or client. By globally locking prices, all RFP packages linked to the estimate will be locked. Another option is to lock individual RFP packages, but that has to be done in the bid management view.

Estimate locking

All data within an estimate can be locked so no changes can be made. This includes cost codes, locations, line items, markups, and so on.

Linked files

Drawings and specifications do not need to be linked in the Estimate Property Details page. A more applicable scenario is to upload the completed proposal to this section in DOC, DOCX, or PDF format.

Files uploaded in the TeamLink Portal

Typically, this would list RFP package vendor quotes submitted through the TeamLink Portal in PDF format.

Sent emails

This section includes a log of when the estimate proposal was sent through email to the client or prospect. It does not include vendor bid invitations for RFP packages.