Job cost codes overview
Job cost codes help track project financials during the project management phase. They’re also required when entering transaction details, such as change order line items, miscellaneous expenses, timecards, and more.
You can add job cost codes at any time. However, we recommend setting them up during the project setup phase.
- The Order # field on the Job Cost Codes page is numeric and determines the sequence in which codes are listed. You can reset the sort order for all codes in the project by selecting all codes and using the Choose Bulk Action option.
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The Cost Code field on the Job Cost Codes page is text-based, not numeric. As a result, codes like 01100 and 1100 will be sorted differently.
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Sage Construction Management includes five built-in resource types: Materials (M), Labor (L), Equipment (E), Sub (S), and Other (O). Because these resource types are predefined, the Cost Code field does not need to include a resource identifier.
For example, use 03300 instead of 03300-M and 03300-L.
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For Fixed Lump Sum or Cost Plus prime contracts, job cost code quantities and units are typically set to 1 LS. For Unit Price prime contracts, create a job cost code for each bid or unit price item, and set the quantity and units to the estimated project amount.
- On the Job Cost Codes page, internal grouping fields are hidden by default. To display them, select Columns and add the fields to the view.
- Contract amount, cost, and hour budgets are set up in the prime contract, not in the job cost codes.
- Job cost codes are project-specific, so they can vary from project to project, such as for a custom home, concrete parking structure, bridge, and so on.
- When integrating with an accounting system, the job cost code or internal division typically matches one of the service items.
- If you use an RSMeans subscription, the cost code list uploaded in Sage Construction Management must be labeled CSI 2016 (with a space). Use the CSI 2016 label even when working with newer CSI versions, such as CSI 2025. This CSI 2016 cost code list must be used for cost database work, labor, and equipment items to enable default estimating dimensions. This label is not required if RSMeans is not used.
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Review the job cost code settings.
Create job cost codes
- Create job cost codes using the Contract Admin Setup wizard
This option is recommended because it allows you to create both job cost codes and prime contract budgets.
- Add job cost codes manually
- Import job cost codes from an existing project or list