Manage Estimates window

This pane displays a "tree-view" list of estimates available for use with Sage Estimating.

Estimates in this pane are organized according to "branches" and sub-branches. You can create or specify a branch at the time you create an estimate. Click the arrow key to the left of any branch name to display its sub-branches and estimates.

• Select any estimate in the list to display the corresponding estimate cover page in the detail pane (to the right of the navigation pane).

• Right-click any branch (folder icon), sub-branch, or on the estimate database, and then select Show all estimates in grid to display a grid of available estimates associated with the branch, sub-branch, or the estimate database.

  You can filter the grid contents to find a specific estimate. See Searching for estimates for instructions.

  To view information about an estimate, right-click it on the grid, and then click Show estimate information.

  To open an estimate in the Estimating program, either double-click it or right-click it, and then click Launch Estimating from the menu.

• Right-click the estimate database, and then select Retrieve estimate database info to open the Estimate Database Summary window.

You can add a branch or sub-branch, remove a branch, and rename an existing branch by right-clicking on it and selecting the appropriate option from the context menu.

You can also delete, rename, or copy any estimate in the pane by right-clicking on it and selecting the appropriate option from the context menu.

Click to import estimates that have been saved previously in extensible markup language (XML) format.

Importing estimate data allows you to restore one or more estimates from backup. Whereas exporting estimate data locks the corresponding estimate, importing estimate data unlocks the estimate or estimates for use again.

Click to export one or more selected estimates as a compressed (zipped) extensible markup language (XML) file.

Exporting estimate data allows you to store a backup copy of your estimates in XML format and import it into Sage Estimating later.

Displays the Sage Estimating phase code suffix.

The phase suffix formats the phase code by setting aside part of that 9-character code for a suffix. The suffix determines how many digits are to the right of the decimal point.

Displays a brief description (required, up to 100 characters) for the project.

The project name appears in the title bar of the Spreadsheet window. It also appears on the heading of every page when you print an estimate report or a report cover page.

The name (up to 30 characters) of the person responsible for this estimate.

Displays the default cost index for this estimate.

During takeoff, Sage Estimating uses this value to adjust the prices in the spreadsheet. For a new estimate, this field is blank. When no cost index has been specified, Sage Estimating uses the Base Price, (the original item prices stored in the database).

The amount of time (up to 8 digits) the project will take to complete. You can use the duration in formulas and as a basis for addons.

The standard number of working hours (up to 3.2 digits; default = 8) in a day.

Man hours are calculated using this number for items with a day-based order unit (Day, Man day, and—for Estimating Extended only–Crew day). This value is used to calculate the labor and equipment hours for items with certain time-based order units.

The totals appear in the spreadsheet, Totals window, and reports.

The standard number of working hours (up to 3.2 digits; default = 40) in a week.

Man hours are calculated using this number for items with a week-based order unit (Week, Man week, and—for Estimating Extended only—Crew week). This value is used to calculate the labor and equipment hours for items with certain time-based order units.

The totals appear in the spreadsheet, Totals window, and reports.

The standard number of working hours (up to 3.2 digits; default = 173.33) in a month.

Man hours are calculated using this number for items with a month-based order unit (Month, Man month, and—for Estimating Extended only—Crew month). This value is used to calculate the labor and equipment hours for items with certain time-based order units.

The totals appear in the spreadsheet, Totals window, and reports.

Displays the method for calculating the labor/equipment crew price for items with these generic time-based order units: Hour, Day, Week, Month.

• Average cost per person - uses the average cost of all members of the crew to calculate labor and equipment costs.
• Total cost of crew - calculates the pricing based on the total cost of the crew.

For example, a crew consists of the following resources:

This crew could have either of the following prices based on the selected crew pricing method.

The method for calculating the labor and equipment hours for items with crews on reports.

• Man hours - multiplies the number of crew members by the crew hours.
• Crew hours - shows the total number of hours it takes the crew to complete a task.

The name of the rate table that you want to use for labor calculations. The rate table is automatically assigned to the estimate.

A rate table provides the hourly and benefit rates used to calculate the cost of the resources in crews. You can set up an unlimited number of rate tables. For instance, you might set up separate rate tables by region or to handle regular and overtime pay.

You can set up rate tables in Sage Estimating (Data tab > Crews group > Crews > Rate Tables, or in classic view, Database menu > Crews > Rate Tables).

Displays the job size.

As soon as there are actual currency amounts in the spreadsheet, Sage Estimating calculates the cost per unit for the entire job by dividing the total cost of the estimate by the job size. The cost per unit displays in the Totals window.

You can also use the job size in formulas and as a basis for addons in the Sage Estimating software. 

The amount of the contract (14 digits), if known. You can use this amount as the basis for addons in the Sage Estimating software.

The unit of measure (up to 4 characters) associated with the job.

You can clear your selection at any time by clicking [Clear].

Note: Clearing your selection does not clear the unit of measure from the list.

Select the job cost software that you use with the standard database (None is displayed initially).

If you do not use a job cost application, the None setting omits all job cost boxes from the estimate in the Sage Estimating software.

This button is disabled in this window unless a job cost system is selected in the Job cost system name box.

Click to display technical information about the Job Cost software selected in the Job cost system name box, such as the software version number and manufacturer.

You can use this information when deciding which job cost software you want to use with the estimate.

This box displays when you select a job cost system in the Job cost system name box.

Type the number (up to 20 characters) of the job associated with the estimate.

Alternatively, if you select Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate as your job cost system, you can click [Browse] to locate the Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate Job Cost job.

This box is available if you selected Sage 300 Construction and Real Estate or Sage 100 Contractor in the Job cost system name box. It displays the company associated with the estimate in the specified job cost program.

Displays the client company associated with the estimate.

Select the contact person associated with the estimate. You can click [Clear] at any time to clear your selection.

People in the list are set up in the address book. Click [Edit] to open the Address Book window to edit the contact information.

Note: Sage Estimating prompts you to save your estimate information before exiting.

Displays the architecture company associated with the estimate.

Companies in the list are set up in the address book.

The architect associated with the estimate.

People in the list are set up in the address book. Sage Estimating prompts you to save your estimate information before exiting.

Displays the engineering company associated with the estimate.

Companies in the list are set up in the address book.

The engineer associated with the estimate.

People in the list are set up in the address book.

The date (in mm/dd/yyyy format) and time (in h:mm format) when the bid is due.