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Construction Project Options |
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| How do I handle optional items in an estimate? Options are choices that you give to a customer, when preparing a project estimate. The best way to handle options in Goldenseal estimating software, depends on the details of the construction choices. Small Options For small and simple options such as a whirlpool bath or a bay window, set up an Assembly that includes all of the labor, materials and subcontractor work required for the optional work. After you've set up the Assembly, include it as a line item in the Estimate, and use the Quantity column to determine whether the option will be included in the project. Subcontracted Options If you'll be subcontracting the option, you can use a Bid for the work. That will allow you to track competitive bids, and it will also help you to make sure you don't overpay on the bid work. HINT-- When you set up the Bid, turn on the Cost Per Unit checkbox. That way you'll be able to change the quantity for the Bid in the Estimate (type in 1 if you are including the item, and 0 if you are not). Allowanced Options If you don't have a firm price for some optional work, you can use an Allowance for the work. Allowances allow you to bill a portion of the project on a "time and materials" basis, even though you are giving a fixed price for the entire project. Using an Allowance allows the client to decide later, whether or not to include the work. Large Options For very large optional choices, you can use a Project Phase. It is like a "mini-estimate" that you can include as a line item in the main Estimate for a project. That way, it is easy to turn "on" or "off" in the main estimate. Click here for more about estimating in
the Getting Started manual. Click here to return to estimating topics.
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