Estimate Cost Codes Overview

Since Estimates can contain hundreds of items, they are organized or grouped into sections which are called Cost Codes. These Cost Codes are required when adding items and can come into play when printing the Estimate Proposal.

Important Things To Know

• Cost Codes are estimate specific. Thus, codes can be different from project to project (ex. custom home, concrete parking structure, bridge etc.). However, cost codes are typically imported from the Master Cost Codes list to ensure consistency.
• In the North America, commercial contractors (GCs and Subs) often use CSI 95 or 2016 cost codes whereas homebuilders may use the National Association of Home Builder (NAHB) codes.
• Order # is a numeric field and determines how the cost codes will be listed. This can be reset globally for the estimate by selecting all codes and then clicking the 'Global Changes' button shown above the grid.
• Cost Code is a text field and not numeric. Thus, 01100 would be sorted differently then 1100.
• The Cost Code's Quantity and Unit are typically set to 1 and LS respectively.
• For unit price estimates, a cost code should be created for each bid or unit price item and the quantity and unit set to the estimated project amount.
• Inclusions, Exclusions and Clarifications can be documented for the Estimate Overall (See Scope Tab) and/or for each Cost Code. For the latter scenario, please click on the Cost Code to view the details form.
• The following Global Change options can be applied to selected Cost Codes in the grid.
  • Quantity and Units
  • Internal Grouping Codes and Descriptions
    • Division
    • Major
    • Minor
    • SubMinor
  • Reset Order Number based on Internal Grouping Codes(applies to all items, not just selected ones)
  • Delete
• The Cost Code tables in Estimating and Contract Admin are almost identical and have internal grouping fields (ex. Division, Major, Minor and SubMinor) which can be used to group cost codes.

Options To Create Cost Codes

• Add Manually
• Import Cost Codes
• Dynamically Created When Adding Cost Database Items

See Also

• Add/Edit Cost Code Scope - Inclusions, Exclusions and Clarifications
• Import Scope Template for a Cost Code
• Master Cost Codes Overview