Add Item Buttons in the Construction Bill of Quantities
The Bill of Quantities is made up of Main Tenders, with Sub Tenders under them and Work Items under those. In the Cost Sheet, Materials/Labor sit under each Work Item. The add buttons place each element in the correct position relative to the row you click next to, so you don’t need to move items manually after you add them.
In this article
Buttons
| Button | Location | What it adds |
|---|---|---|
| Add | Bottom of the table | A new Main Tender at the end of the table. |
| + next to the row | The add column in each row | A list of the types allowed under this row; if only one type is allowed, it’s added directly. |
| Add Work Item | From the + menu | A Work Item under the selected item. |
| Add Sub Tender | From the + menu | A Sub Tender under the selected item. |
| Add Material/Labor | From + next to a Work Item (Cost Sheet only) | A Material or labor under the Work Item. |
Note: The tooltip Add Sub Tender or Work Item appears when you hover over the + button that opens the menu.
Rules for What You Can Add
| Row | What you can add under it |
|---|---|
| An empty Main Tender or Sub Tender | A Sub Tender or a Work Item. |
| A Main Tender or Sub Tender that contains Sub Tenders | A Sub Tender only. |
| A Main Tender or Sub Tender that contains Work Items | A Work Item only. |
| A Sub Tender at the third level | A Work Item only (Sub Tenders go up to a maximum of 3 levels). |
| Work Item | Material/Labor in the Cost Sheet; nothing in the quotation, contract, or Bid. |
| Material/Labor | Nothing; the + button doesn’t appear. |
Differences Between Records
| Record | Available types |
|---|---|
| Cost Sheet | Main Tender, Sub Tender, Work Item, Material/Labor. |
| Quotation, contract, and Bid | Main Tender, Sub Tender, Work Item (no Materials/Labor). |
Other Actions in the Table
- Drag an item and drop it under another parent at the same level.
- Select multiple rows to delete them, show the group, or hide the group.
- Deleting a Main Tender or Sub Tender deletes everything under it.
Bill of Quantities Columns
| Record | Columns |
|---|---|
| Cost Sheet | Item, Qty, Consumption/Unit, Unit Cost, Cost, Profit %, Sell Price, Total, and the Grand Total description. |
| Quotation | Item, Qty, Unit, Sell Price, Sub Total, Taxes, Total. |
| Contract | Item, Qty, Sell Price, Sub Total, Tax 1, Tax 2, Total. |
Validation Rules
- The title of each Main Tender or Sub Tender must be unique among the items at the same level.
- An empty mandatory field shows Required next to it.
- When you delete rows, a message warns you that the sub-elements linked to them will also be deleted.
FAQ
Why can’t I add a Sub Tender under an item that contains Work Items?
Because an item can’t contain both Sub Tenders and Work Items. Add a new Sub Tender and move the Work Items into it.
Why doesn’t the Material/Labor option appear in the quotation?
Because Materials/Labor are part of the Cost Sheet only.
How many levels of Sub Tenders can I add?
Up to 3 levels.
How do I add a Main Tender?
Use the Add button at the bottom of the table.
Why doesn’t the + button appear next to a Material?
You can’t add anything under a Material/Labor row.
Can I convert a Work Item into a Sub Tender?
No. Delete the line and add the type you need.
Can you move a Work Item to another Main Tender?
Yes, by dragging and dropping it within the same level.
Are the Materials deleted when you delete the Work Item?
Yes, everything under it is deleted.