Data generated in the BBOS Estimator app is saved in a JSON format for quick and easy recall and customization.
The JSON file is initially saved to the “Downloads” file on your computer. From there you can rename it and/or move it to a project file on your computer.
To resume work on a saved estimate, simply access and open the BBOS Estimator, “Load” the JSON file on which you wish to continue working and resume data input and customization.
Data generated in BBOS Estimator is saved in JSON format for quick and easy recall and customization.
The JSON file is initially saved to the “Downloads” file on your computer. From there you can rename it and/or move it to a project file on your computer.
To resume work on a saved file, simply access and open the app, “Load” the JSON file on which you wish to continue working and resume data input and customization.
Use this worksheet to gather all pertinent costs for customizing the BBOS Estimator template.
You can skip this step, and update pricing as needed directly in the BBOS Estimator.
Download the database worksheet (below).
Once you have cost information for the items you will use, go to the BBOS Estimator and transfer the information.
This worksheet is used solely for the initial pricing database.
Future pricing updates will be entered directly in the BBOS Estimator data sheets.
You only have to enter costs for the items you regularly use in your estimates.
If you use an item that is not included in the default item list, add that item and its cost by overwriting one of the existing default items or enter the information in the “Enter….specification” cells available in the data sheets.
Complete the “Company Information”, “Soft Cost%”, and “Labor” sections on the “Take-Off” tab.
Enter the custom cost inputs from the Pricing Database Worksheet at each detail page, or …
…go directly to the BBOS Estimator and update items you know you will be using.
Save the file.
Go to “Downloads” on your computer, rename the file as “BBOS Estimator Template” and save to an appropriate file on your computer.
Access the Builder-BOS Estimator on the website.
“Load” the customized “BBOS-Estimator Template” from your file.
Go to the “Take-Off” tab and begin entering the information requested.
When you have completed the entry process on the “Take-Off” tab, go to each relevant “Detail Page” and enter the information there.
The totals for each detail page will automatically transfer to the “Const Budget” page to build your Project estimate.
Save the project estimate.
You can save an estimate at any time, whether it is completed or not.
Just click on “Save”.
The file will be saved as a .json file in your “Downloads” folder.
Rename to the Project ID, preserving the .json file type, and drag to the project folder.
When you wish to continue work on the estimate, access the BBOS Estimate Template and “Load” the saved project file.
Access the Builder-BOS Estimator on the website.
“Load” the “BBOS Estimator Template” from your file.
Update any information you wish.
“Save” the file and rename as “BBOS Estimator Template”.
Move the template to the file on your computer and answer yes to overwrite.
The updated template will be the foundation for any future estimates, but will not change prices on existing estimates.
Access the Builder-BOS Estimator on the website.
Click on “Load” and navigate to the specific project folder where you have saved the project estimate file on your local computer.
Select the project file and resume work on the estimate.
When you have completed the work you intended to do, save the file.
Until the estimate has been completed, I generally choose to overwrite the previous file by using the same file name.
Once the estimate is completed, and I am revising the file because of changes suggested by the client, I rename the file using the date of the revision.
Using this procedure, I have a record of all estimates which were presented to the client.
Use the “Print” button at the bottom left of the app page.
Selecting this button will display a version of what the page will look like when printed.
Each app has a suggested printer setup for the page.
Your printer may require a different set-up than is shown. Apply different perspectives, margins, and scales to get the best results.
You may be trying to load a version of the file into an update of the platform in which there was a structural change.