Estimate cost codes overview
Estimates often contain multiple items, so they’re organized into sections known as cost codes. These cost codes are required when adding items and can also be used when generating the estimate proposal.
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Cost codes are estimate-specific, so they might vary from project to project. For example, between a custom home, concrete parking structure, or bridge. However, cost codes are typically imported from the primary cost codes list to ensure consistency.
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In North America, commercial contractors (general contractors and subcontractors) commonly use CSI 95 or CSI 2016 cost codes, while homebuilders typically use National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) codes.
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The Order # is a numeric field that controls how cost codes are listed.
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Cost Code is a text field, not a numeric field. As a result, values such as 01100 and 1100 are sorted differently.
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The cost code quantity and unit are typically set to 1 and LS, respectively.
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For unit price estimates, create a separate cost code for each bid or unit price item, with the quantity and unit set to the estimated project amount.
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Inclusions, exclusions, and clarifications can be documented at the estimate level or at the cost code level.
- You can apply the following bulk changes to the cost codes:
- Quantity
- Units
- Internal grouping codes and descriptions (division, major, minor, subminor)
- Reset order number based on internal grouping codes
This option applies to all cost codes by default, not just the selected ones.
- Delete
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The cost codes in the Estimates and Contract Admin features are nearly identical and include internal grouping fields that can be used to group cost codes.
Create cost codes
- Add a cost code manually
- Import cost codes
- Create cost codes dynamically when adding estimate items from the cost database