Costabill calculation screen

While you will find all the basic information you need to use Costabill in the featured demonstration video both on our blog and embedded in the Costabill website, here is another breakdown for you as to what the Costabill calculation screen entails.

Once you have selected your Province, "Select Region", when you find an item within the Costabill database on the left hand side of the screen and add the desired item, you will see it displayed under your project space on the right hand side.
In this example 1 item has been added.
Here is a breakdown for you as to what you will find within the calculation screen:

Note: *If you have purchased LEVEL 2 of Costabill, you can use the "Show Formula" function to get a thorough break down of the rate-build up.

No:
The bill item's number within Costabill is displayed here which makes item referencing easier when working with the Costabill database.

Description:
This is the master bill description for the item within the database that you have added.

UOM:
The Unit of Measurement for the item is listed here, examples will be; m3 / m2 / m / item /

Qty:
This will be set to a minimal quantity by default or whatever the minimal quantity is.
You can input your own quantities here:
Click on the numerical figure and then input whatever the required quantity is for your estimate.
Once input the end Total will change in accordance to what you entered.

Matrl:
This minimum estimated Material rate for this item. *Remember we are providing you with estimates!

Labr:
This is the minimum estimated Labour rate for this item. *Remember we are providing you with estimates!

Plant:
Plant fee will be included in this item. No Plant rate is applicable for the item in the example below.

Sund:
Any sundries for the item will be taken into account for the item.

Profit:
A default rate of 10% Profit has been accounted for in the estimates.
This is added lastly to determine the final rate of the estimate.

Rate:
The minimum Rate displayed for the minimum Unit of Measurement (UOM).
Rate is determined by the minimum totals of:
Material (Matrl) + Labour (Labr) + Plant + Sundries (Sund) + Profit = Rate

Total:
Your Estimate total for the item is determined by the the Quantity (QTY) you input multiplied by the Rate we have issued you for that item.
The Total will change in relation to the Quantity you input manually under the "Qty" column.

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Costabill adverts

Here are some of our adverts for our new product Costabill, which you will see later in the year within:
SA Builder and SA Affordable Housing, as well as the CIDB centre in The Western Cape.

Adverts designed by Billcost (Pty) Ltd
Visit the Costabill web page by clicking on this link

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Costabill demonstration video (two)

This video covers how to access the demo, how to purchase Costabill and a quick look at using the product (as per Level 2 functionality).


TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

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A Quick Video Guide to use Costabill

For further information regarding the usage of Costabill, please consult the user guide by clicking this link.
This video is a short guide how to use Costabill (Level 2 functionality).



TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.


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Why won't the video display in Full Screen Mode?

When you play a video and change your settings to 720HD to enable better quality (recommended), your screen may go blank when you view in Full Screen Mode.

Don't panic, here's a way to QUICKLY fix it!

1 - Right click on the video screen when playing.
2 - Go to "Settings"
3 - A small window will open.
4 - Click the first folder & DISABLE the check box, "Enable hardware acceleration" (see image below)
5 - Your video will now show in Full Screen Mode.

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Consult the Billcost User Guide with ease

Note: No narration for this video. This is a way to make life easier for you when consulting our full user guide of 252 pages.



Written Help on this video:

To access the user manual:

-          Open Billcost Project Manager

-          In the menu bar at the top go to: “Help” (or click on the "User Manual" icon)

-          “Full User Manual”

-     On the left hand bar, click on the Bookmark icon, which is the middle icon.

-     This will allow you to select the specific features and modules you wish to consult in the User Manual.

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How to measure brickwork adjustments

The main thing to note whenever you do any brick works adjustments:
It is always best TO NEVER SELECT ANY OPTION AS A DEFAULT!
Use the "Prompt" option when working through to Wizard to choose your brickwork adjustment options.

Using "default" will create a default for the option you choose, meaning in future you will need to remember your default options for the commonly used item and in some cases only your defaults will be created, and in some cases need to be maintained.

At the very end of the Wizard you will always be asked if you wish to save the adjustments as a Default? CHOOSE "NO". This important.


TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

To comment on this article, please click on the "comment" text link below. We appreciate your opinion on this blog post.

Changing Master Price Files in the Estimator

TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

Written help on this video:

-          Open up the Estimator.

-          At the bottom left you will see which master price files are in use for estimating your Material & Labour rates

To change the Material Price File, go to:

-          “Project”

-          “Prices”

-          “Update Project Prices”

-          Select the Price File you wish to make use of for estimates from the list of installed files.

-          Click on “Ok”

-          You will be asked if you are sure? Click on “Yes”

To change the Labour Price File, go to:

-          “Project”

-          “Labour File”

-          “Update Project Prices”

-          Select the Labour Price File you wish to make use of.

-          Click on “Ok”

-          You will be asked if you are sure? Click on “Yes?”

-          Lastly, “Cost” your project and the newly chosen Master Price Files will display at the bottom left of the Estimator window, with an adjusted project cost.

Important:
This will override any customised prices you may have customised when doing your initial estimates.

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How to add Overheads via the Profit Calculator

TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

Written Help for this video:

HOW DO I ADD OVERHEADS SO THEY WON’T APPEAR ON MY REPORTS?

These overheads will be added as a provisional amount not displayed on your Reports as an actual item for the simple reason; your client may be dissatisfied seeing your Overheads being taken into the direct costs for their project.

This way of adding overheads makes it anonymous on Reports but still included in your project with a profit % allocated.

Open the Profit Calculator:

-          Click on the % button within the Profit calculator.

-          Select the vts file,”Bigbooks”.

-          Choose your Overheads and then enter the amounts under the correct tabs.

-          Save the file when completed (prompted automatically).

-          Enter the: Duration in months/ % allocation/ Cost of overheads/ Profit to be added.

-          Click “Ok”.

-       You will be asked whether to Override…/ Add to…/ Replace… the values.

Make sure you choose "Add to..." to not lose any already added Profit to your Project

Important:

Always choose ADD TO EXISTING VALUES when using the Overheads feature in the Price Customiser.

This is a once off Overhead allocation method for a Project, so ensure you either leave ALL "Big books" overhead options selected or of course just ensure all your values are correct.

Alternatively just do your Overheads within the Estimator.

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How to measure a Gable Area

TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

Written Help for this video:

-          Here’s an example, as per the video:

-          Open the database

-          Go to “Building”

-          “Masonry & Cladding”

-          “Superstructure Wall”

-          “External Superstructure Wall”

-          “External Brick Block Walls”

-          “Cavity Wall” and choose the type of bricks you require.

-          Choose the SimpF best suited for your activity

-          The calculation screen will now open.

-          Click on the “Quick Calculator”

-          Change the AREA from “Square Area” to “Gable area” via the drop down menu.

-          Enter your desired specs for 1 gable area. Under quantity specify how many of these you require for your estimate.

-          Click on “Ok” when done and then “Calculate”

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How to change your Tax Area

TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

Written Help for this video:

The best way to change the Tax Area is as follows:
- In the Billcost Project Manager go to;

-          “Tools” in the menu bar

-          “Options”

-          In the Options box choose the “Settings” tab

-          Under Tax Area click on the drop down menu and choose your Tax Area (default is South Africa)

-          Choose your Tax area and click “Ok”

-          Lastly, cost the project you want to change the Tax of and the value will change.

Important:

Any new project you begin will be costed to the Tax Area you have selected.

Make sure you change this if needs be.

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How to Edit, Add & Delete items in your Estimates

TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

Written Help for this video:

When an estimate has been done within the Estimator for a specific item, you may want to further Edit that item, Add further quantities for that exact item within the project, or delete that item altogether.

To make use of these features, find the item you wish to make any modification to by locating the Simple Formula (Simp F) under YOUR Project Database in the Estimator.

When you find it, double click it.

You will see the following items in the screen pop-up:

Qty – Shows the quantities of all the instances of this particular Simple Formula that have already been measured.

Description – The description of the Simple Formula (they are always identical).

Use Long Descriptions (see later) to distinguish between separate measurements.

Adjustments – Shows automatic adjustment of the measured quantity. This adjustment is made by the Estimator, and cannot be altered manually. The Estimator makes adjustments to brickwork when you measure door and window frames. You do not have to know the dimensions of the frames, as they are programmed into the Building Database.

Edit – Edits the highlighted Formula. You can then alter the measured quantity, or make adjustments to the prices of the measured items.

Add – Measures a new instance of the Formula. You can add as many new measurements as you like. Although all measure the same Formula, they show up as separate items in the Reports.

Delete – Removes the highlighted measurement. Use this if you wish to get rid of a measurement completely.

Cancel – Closes this screen and returns you to the Building Database.

Help – Displays Cue Card Help for this screen.

With this explained, choose your option of effect:

-          To “Edit” click on the button and now you can input a new quantity and calculate to make the adjustment.

-          To “Add” a new instance of the already estimated item, click Add and input the new quantity. The items will show up as separate items on the Report.

-          To “Delete” an item, click on Delete and when asked ‘Are you sure?’ Click on “Yes”.
The calculation screen will re-launch with a 0 (zero) quantity.

-          To make deletion complete, click on “Cancel”

-          The item will still remain in your database, but it will have no value and NOT display on your Reports.

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How to customise prices using the Estimator

TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

Written Help for this video:

It’s actually a lot easier to customize prices in the Estimator than the Price Customiser, if you aren’t looking to setup your own price files or edit the master price file you use.

However, to make the change permanent you will to make the changes with EDIT OPTION 3 (changing the Master Price File) or using the Price Customiser to make your own Price File.

EDIT OPTION 1: Simply change it under “Price”

-          Once you’ve measured an item, click on the “Material selection” tab

-          Enter a price directly under the “Price” column for the specific item you want to change.

-          The price originally listed is taken from the Default Price File you chose to estimate with.

EDIT OPTION 2: Change the price by double clicking the Description of the item under “Material Selection”

-          Double click the item under description to change to price.

-          Enter the new price and click on “ok”.

EDIT OPTION 3: Change both the price and the default Master Price file you are estimating with

-          Double click the item under description to change to price.

-          In this menu a customised “long description” may be added and the new price be added to a master price file under the “Ordering” tab.

-          Click the specific master price file you wish to change the items price for.

-          Override the default price your new price and select “Update”.

Important:

If you change the price for e.g. General purpose cement, all activities measured for your project that require general purpose cement, will also be updated with the new price therefore changing your projects estimate in accordance to the new price.

If EDIT OPTION 1 and 2 used, the changes will only be for the specific project.

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Adding Notes to your Report Cover Page

TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

Written Help for this video:

If you would like to add Notes to a cover page (Terms & Conditions, general notes) here’s how to do it:

-          Open Billcost Project Manager

-          Select the project you wish to add notes to on the Cover Page of the Report.

-          Open the ‘Estimator’

-          In the ‘Estimator’, go to “Project”,

-          “Details”

-          “Notes”

-          Now you can enter whatever text you wish to display on the Cover Page of your Reports

-          Click on “Ok” to make this a once off entry

-          Click on “Save” to save the text which can then be…

-          Loaded for a later project by clicking “Load” which will open the default directory for all Notes saved ‘text files’.

-          Lastly, generate a Report Cover Page and under Client/Builder/Estimator details you should see your Notes.

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How to estimate using Multiple databases

TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

Written Help for this video:

-          Open the Estimator with whichever database you usually use (Basic or Professional)

-          Now do your split screen (tile horizontal) or go to “View”, “Split View”

-          Shuffle until you get the database to sit to the right of Your Project

-          To open another database, click on:

-          “Database”

-          “Open”

-          Choose the additional database you wish to open.

-          Once again, shuffle through your Split Screen/ Split view options until both databases sit alongside Your Project

-          You are now able to Estimate using any of the databases.

Important:

The Professional database is more intensive and will ask you numerous questions just to measure one item, while also allowing you to save as a Default or as a once-off entry (non-default recommended).

The Basic database is the most commonly used database, with all the items and being quicker to use.

The Professional may be used to be more intensive when costing a smaller project, while the Basic database allows for faster, yet thorough estimates on the project.

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A quick explanation of the Estimator features

TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

Written Help for this video:

-          Open the ‘Estimator’

-          Go to “Help”

-          “Estimator Manual”

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How to activate Billcost

TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

Written Help for this video:

When you either download a demo or your Product expires, you will need to activate Billcost.

We issue you the activation code.

Most importantly, we require you to issue us your Billcost Application Serial Number.

Open Billcost

In the menu bar at the top, go to:

-          “Help”

-          “Registration”

-          A long Blue serial number will display in the registration module.

-          You can call us directly and issue this to us, fax it to us or Email it.

If you Email it, click on “Print” and then copy the serial number. This will ensure the code is right, as opposed to you manually typing it in an email.

Once received, we will send you an activation code, which you will type into the blank spaces below your Application Serial number, via the Activation Code spaces.

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The Billcost main menu features & options

TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

Written Help for this video:

For the User Manual regarding the Billcost Project Manager, go to:

“Help”
“Project Manager Manual”

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The Report feature in Billcost

TO PLAY THE VIDEO:
1) Click on the Play button.
2) Click where it states "360p" - Change to "720pHD"
3) Allow 15-30 seconds for video to buffer. Video will start to play.
4) Video will take anything from 3-5 minutes to fully load.
5) To view in Full Screen mode, ensure video set to 720pHD (point 2) and FULLY loaded. Double-click the video screen OR click on the button with the four arrows next to the "Youtube" button

Note: Videos are quick demonstrations purely for overview purposes.
Consult the user guide or call us directly if you are still requiring any assistance.

Written Help for this video:

Click on the “Report Options” button in the Billcost Project Manager.

When open, note the following:

-          Preview: Clicking on this will generate your Reports & you will be reminded to Cost Your Project

-          Ok: Will Save your Report options and chosen filters and close the Report Options

-          Cancel: Cancels any changes made to the default Reporting options.

-          Report can be Printed or Exported to Excel or Word (Link to video on Exporting to Excel)

Various reports in Billcost can be customised.

When in Report Options, be it under the Estimator or Profit Report tabs, when you click on any of the main Reports, their customise tabs will become active.

Clicking on these tabs you can customise the tabs as to what items you would like to filtered into these Reports.

All Reporst (Estimator & Profit)

Cover Page/ Summary of Input/ Measured Input/ Detailed Activity/ Summary of Trades/ Rates List/ Rates by Supplier/ Summary of Trades by Trade Graph/ Summary of Trades by Category Graph/ Profit settings/ Profit Graph

Summary of Input – Looks like a priced Bill of Quantities. Project is divided into trades, each trade containing those Formulae that have been measured. For each Formula, the description, measured quantity, cost per unit, and total cost is given. Total cost per trade, and total Project cost are also given.

Detailed Activity – The most comprehensive of all the Reports. Same as the Summary of Input Report, but gives the exact breakdown of items used in every Formula.

For every Formula, the exact quantity and cost of every material, labour item, plant, fee, and sub-contractor item used to make up the final cost is given. This Report can be extremely long, especially for large Projects. Is very helpful though, as it gives you an idea as to which materials you need to order at various stages of your Project.

Summary of Trades – The handiest ‘summary’ type Report. No matter how large your Project is, this Report is always only one page in length. For every trade measured, gives the total cost per cost category (material, labour, and so on), the total cost per trade, and the percentage each trade contributes to the total Project cost. It also shows the total cost per cost category.

Rates List – Your ‘shopping list’ for the Project. Shows a consolidated, alphabetical, rounded list of all resources required for the Project, separated by cost category.

For each item it shows the item’s ordering quantity (rounded), unit of measure, discount (if

any), unit price, VAT, and total cost.

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