Detail Items
Working with Detail Item Templates allows you to build complex cost structures using resources, task templates, and linked Excel data.
Working with Detail Item Templates
Item Templates with the Detail cost method are a powerful and important step in laying the groundwork for your estimates. Detailed item templates are the culmination of all the cost foundation laid in Resources, wrapped up into pricing structures which will appear eventually on a bid form.
There is no limit to the amount of structure inside a detailed item template. A template may consist of nothing more than a laborer with a shovel, or it may be configured with dozens of separate task templates, each with their own crew templates, materials, and subcontracted elements.
In building a detailed item template, you have the option of linking a single task template from Resources, adding multiple task templates and other Resource structures, or creating the tasks you need on the fly. Just like a task template in Resources, a detailed item template also allows you to create related quantities and factors within, so sub-task and material quantities will automatically recalculate when you change the item's quantity in a bid.
Building a Detailed Item Template
Detailed item templates allow you to create cost structures that consist of components from various resource databases. The components that you add to an item template remain tied to their respective databases, and are therefore kept in synch with updates to those databases.
You can add equipment, labor types, crew templates, materials, miscellaneous resources, and even task templates to an item template.
Create a new detailed item template
- Navigate to the Item Template Listing tab within any item database in the Item Databases area.
- Select New Record
from the Edit & Tools command tab.
- Type a name for your item template and select a unit of measure.
- In the Cost Method dropdown, choose Detail.
- Select the Item Template Detail tab to configure your item template.
Get Detail from Related Task Template
This feature is useful for an item template which has a one-to-one relationship with a task template in Resources.
When a detailed task template is linked to a detailed item template, the item template will automatically assume the detailed cost structures built into the task template. These appear as read-only nodes. Factors, quantities, and Excel workbook links are preserved.
To link a detailed task template:
- On the Item Template Detail tab, check Get detail from related task template.
- Choose a task template from the combo box.
Add Cost Components to a Detailed Item Template
- On the Item Template Detail tab, select Add Components
on the toolbar.
- In the Add Components dialog, select the components you want to add.
- Select Add, then Close.
Quantities, Factors, and Links to Excel
Once you have added the appropriate components, there are three ways to configure their quantities:
- Manually entered value — The exact quantity is carried through.
- Calculated using a factor — The quantity calculates from the parent item or task quantity.
- Value is linked to Excel — The quantity is retrieved from a cell in an embedded Excel workbook.
Specify your calculation preference:
- In the Template structure tree view, highlight the component.
- Right-select the Quantity field and select Set Value.
- In the Set Selected Value dialog, choose one of the following options:
| Calculation setting | Description |
|---|---|
| Use entered value | Manually enter the appropriate value. |
| Calculate using factor | Enter a factor or select a named factor. |
| Get factor from workbook | B2W Estimate retrieves a factor from an embedded Excel workbook. |
| Get value from workbook | B2W Estimate retrieves the actual value from an embedded Excel workbook. |
Item Template Detail Fields
General Fields
| Field | Description |
|---|---|
| Item # | A unique number for the item template. |
| Sample Qty | Used to generate total costs in the summary area and as a basis for component quantities. |
| Cost Method | Reflects the level of detail: Detail. |
| Created / Modified | Display the timestamp and estimator initials. These fields are read-only (gray background). |
Template Structure View Options
- Factors — Displays the quantity calculation factor in parentheses.
- Quantities — Displays actual quantities and units of measure.
- None — Displays descriptions only.
Configure Components Within an Item Template
Configure Labor and Equipment
Highlight the component in the tree view and modify fields in the Values for selected component area:
- Quantity: Set as an entered, factor, or Excel value.
- Sample Quantity: Displays the quantity after applying the parent sample qty.
- Number of: Specify the count of laborers or equipment units.
Using the Search Feature
The grid includes a dynamic search that filters as you type. It examines every visible column.
- Date searches require the entire string (e.g., "9/5/2017").
- Multi-word searches (separated by spaces) return rows containing all terms.
- Searching for costs requires decimal precision and no "$" symbol.
