Updating standard database prices by category

Updating the standard database prices does not affect existing estimates. The new standard database prices apply to estimates started after the update. This procedure updates the prices of all linked items.

It is mathematically impossible to end up with the original prices if you increase, and then decrease prices by the same percentage.

Before you begin

This process makes permanent changes to the standard database. Before you update prices, Sage recommends that you back up your standard database.

To update standard database prices by category:

Open the Price Update by Category window in one of the following ways:
- On the ribbon, from the Updates group on the Data tab, click By Category.
- In classic view, select Pricing menu > Update Database.
On the Categories tab, enter the percentage of change for item prices in each category.
- To increase prices, enter a positive percentage. For example, to increase labor prices by 5%, enter 5 in the Labor % field.
- To decrease prices, enter a negative percentage. For example, to decrease equipment prices by 8%, enter -8 in the Equipment % field.
- To keep the current prices, leave the appropriate category % field blank.
By default, all item prices are updated. To limit the update to specific phases of items, specify the desired phases on the Phase Range tab.
Ranges save time by limiting the amount of information that is subject to processing.

To specify a range:
1. Move the cursor to the From field, and then click to open the List window.
2. In the list, double-click the beginning record for the range.
  
  This record appears in the From field.
3. Move the cursor to the To field.
4. Click to open the List window.
5. In the list, double-click the ending record for the range. This record appears in the To field.
6. You can enter up to four more ranges in the same manner.
(optional) Use the tabs to customize the Price Update report.
- To select where the report prints, click the Categories tab and choose an option in the Price Update Report area.
- To change the fonts or colors, click the Font tab and change the font settings.
- To change the page setup, click the Page Setup tab and change the page setup options.
Click [OK].
Review the Price Update Confirmation window.
- To continue with the price update, click [OK].
- To cancel the update and return to the Price Update by Category window, click [Cancel].

When you click [OK], Sage Estimating (SQL) performs the price update. To pause the price update process, click [Pause] in the Price Update in Progress window. With the price update paused, you can click a button to undo, cancel, or continue the price update.

Tips:

If you often use the same settings for updating your standard database by cost category, you can save those settings as the default for future updates. To do this, click [Save Default].
To preview the price update results before you perform the actual update, select Preview in the Price Update Report area. (The Preview option is for review purposes only; it does not update the standard database prices.)