Estimate Worksheet Data Explained

STACK's Estimate Worksheet gives you the ability to harness a lot of project data. 

To help you better understand the available data and create an estimate that displays the specific information you want and need, we've put together descriptions of the Estimate Worksheet columns/data fields with details on where the information for each field comes from/how it's calculated, as well as an info on how data is (or is not) rounded.

Rounding of Estimate Worksheet Data

Quantities

It is likely you will have some quantities on the Estimate Worksheet that are decimals. Quantities are NOT automatically rounded to the nearest whole number so you can see what the actual measurements/counts are for each line item.

You do have the ability to manually enter a rounded quantity in the Adjusted Quantity field if desired and that Adjusted Quantity will be used to calculate everything (Extended Costs, Markup, Base Total) needed to determine the total estimate SELLING PRICE.

NOTE: Rounding of quantities on the Estimate Worksheet is handled differently than on Unit Cost Estimates and Material and Labor Estimates. Because of this, be aware that the selling price generated with the Estimate Worksheet may not exactly match the selling price on Unit Cost Estimates and Material and Labor Estimates for the same project.

Dollar Amounts

Dollars amounts are calculated based on a measurement multiplied by some dollar/cents input. This rarely results in an amount with exact cents at two decimal places. For example, 25.67 sf x $15.43 = $396.0881.

STACK maintains all dollar amounts to 8 decimal places in our database and rounds them to the nearest penny for display in the Estimate Worksheet. So in the above example, we keep $396.0881 in the database, but you see $396.09 on the Estimate Worksheet

Occasionally this results in what appears to be a calculation error, because if you add the displayed (rounded) values together, they sometimes don’t match the total we display, which is rounded based on the 8 decimal place amount database calculations. The differences are rarely significant, however on a very large estimate with many calculations, they can be meaningful , so it is something you want to keep in mind.

Most applications, including Excel function in this way – maintaining unrounded numbers in the database and rounding at the last minute to display a relevant dollars and cents value. (See example below.)

Main Estimate Grid Column Data

Takeoff Name

This field is auto-populated with the name of the Takeoff that the line item is associated with in the project. 

The Takeoff Name is determined when the Takeoff is created and can be edited from the TAKEOFFS tab in the project (see Creating and Editing Takeoffs).

Takeoff Description

A Takeoff Description is often used to give more detail or explain how the Takeoff should be used.

This field is auto-populated with the description of the Takeoff that was entered in the project. If no Takeoff Description was entered, it will be blank.

The Takeoff Description is entered (optional) when the Takeoff is created and can be edited from the TAKEOFFS tab in the project (see Creating and Editing Takeoffs).

Plan Name

This field is auto-populated with the name of the project plan sheet where the line item's measurements/counts are located in the project. 

Plan sheets can be renamed from the PLANS tab in the project (see Managing Drawings and Project Documents).

Labels

This field shows the Label given to measurements for this line item.

https://help-preconstruction.stackct.com/docs/using-label-groups

FLR 3,FLR 4,FLR 2

Assembly

Assembly in STACK that this line item belongs to. If no Assembly has been added to the takeoff in the project, it will say "none".

An Assembly is a collection of Items. You can create your own assemblies or use supplied assemblies from the various Assembly Libraries in STACK.

The Assembly name is entered when it is created in your account or is populated from a third-party system for Assemblies provided in other Assembly Libraries. For Assemblies you've created, the name can be edited from the ASSEMBLIES tab. 

Click for more info on Assemblies.

Item Name

This field is auto-populated the name of the Item in STACK.

The Item Name is entered when it is created in your account or is populated from a third-party system for Items provided in other Item Libraries. For Items you've created, the name can be edited from the ITEMS tab.

Click for more info on Items.

Item Description

The Item Description is often used to explain how the Item functions, any requirements, or other specifications.

This field is auto-populated with the description of the Item in STACK. If the Item does not have a description, the field will be blank.

The Item Description is entered when the Item is created in your account or is populated from a third-party system for Items provided in other Item Libraries.

For Items you've created, the description can be entered/edited from the ITEMS tab (see Create, Edit, or Delete Custom Items).

Item Folder Level 1 (2,3,4,5)

Items in STACK are organized in folders (up to five levels), often around CSI standards. 

This field is auto-populated with the name of the folder where the Item is saved in STACK. 

Item Folder names you've created can be edited from the ITEMS tab.

Measured Quantity

This field is auto-populated with the Takeoff measurement or count for this project. 

This number will change if you add, edit, or delete measurements/counts from the Takeoff in the project.

NOTE: Measured Quantity is different than the Purchase Quantity.

Column Data Under Coverage / Productivity Rates

Ratio 

of how many Measured Units are in one Purchase Unit.

Example: 250 sq ft is covered by 1 gallon of paint.

Ratio1000 sq ft / 1 ROLL

Measured Coverage

The number of Measured Units in the Purchase Unit.

Purchase Coverage

Number of Purchase Units needed to cover the Measured Coverage. Note: This is often 1.

https://help-preconstruction.stackct.com/docs/create-edit-or-delete-custom-items

Measured Unit Measured Unit Price? – new description?

The unit used to measure the Item. Example: Each, linear foot, square foot, cubic yard.

https://help-preconstruction.stackct.com/docs/create-edit-or-delete-custom-items

sq ft

Purchase Unit Purchase Unit Price? – new description?

The unit used when purchasing the Item from your supplier. Example: bundle, gallon, roll, box.

https://help-preconstruction.stackct.com/docs/create-edit-or-delete-custom-items

ROLL

Purchase Quantity

The number of Purchase Units needed. Calculated by applying the Coverage Rate to the Measured Quantity (Measured Quantity divided by Measured Coverage).

Waste %

The percentage of waste expected for the item.

Waste Quantity

This field shows the additional number of Purchase Units* needed to account for waste.

*Purchase Unit is the unit used when purchasing the Item from your supplier. Example: bundle, gallon, roll, box. 

Quantity w/ Waste

This field shows the total number of Purchase Units* needed to cover the measured quantity and waste. 

It is calculated by adding the Purchase Quantity and Waste Quantity.

NOTE: This quantity is NOT rounded to the nearest whole number on the Estimate Worksheet, so it is possible the number will be a decimal. You can manually enter the rounded quantity in the Adjusted Quantity field if needed.

*Purchase Unit is the unit used when purchasing the Item from your supplier. Example: bundle, gallon, roll, box. 

Adjusted Quantity

This field allows you to manually enter a quantity that overrides the Quantity w/ Waste. 

This is used to round up, or to just enter a known quantity which is especially useful when nothing has been measured.

Notes

This field allows you to manually enter any notes you want relating to the line item.

Column Data Under Cost Type Headers – 

Material, Labor, Equipment, Subcontract, Custom Cost Types

Unit Cost

This field shows the cost per Purchase Unit* of whatever is being purchased.

It is auto-populated if a Unit Cost is assigned to the Item (see Create, Edit, or Delete Custom Items). If not, the field will be empty.

You can manually enter/edit data in this field directly from the Estimate Worksheet. 

NOTE: Data manually entered on the Estimate Worksheet only applies to the specific estimate and will not be saved with the Item for future application. Those changes must be made at the Item level (see article linked above).

*Purchase Unit is the unit used when purchasing the Item from your supplier. Example: bundle, gallon, roll, box. 

Accounting Code

The Accounting Code is a value relating to the Item in STACK - usually an accounting or cost code, part number, or SKU. 

This field is auto-populated if an Accounting Code exists for the Item. The Accounting Code is entered (optional) when an Item is created in your account or is populated from a third-party system for Items provided in other Item Libraries. (See Create, Edit, or Delete Custom Items.)

You can manually enter/edit data in this field directly from the Estimate Worksheet. 

NOTE: Data manually entered on the Estimate Worksheet only applies to the specific estimate and will not be saved with the Item for future application. Those changes must be made at the Item level (see article linked above.)

Extended Cost

This field is auto-populated with the cost for all Purchase Units* needed.

It is calculated by multiplying Quantity w/Waste by Unit Cost, UNLESS the Adjusted Quantity field is populated, then it is calculated by multiplying Adjusted Quantity by Unit Cost.

*Purchase Unit is the unit used when purchasing the Item from your supplier. Example: bundle, gallon, roll, box. 

Markup %

This field shows the percentage of the Extended Costs that is included in the line item Base Total as markup.

You can manually enter/edit data in this field directly on the Estimate Worksheet.

Column Data Under Totals Header

Extended Costs 

This field is auto-populated with the total Extended Costs for the line item, across all Cost Types - Material, Labor, Subcontract, Equipment, and any custom Cost Type(s) on your account.

It is calculated by adding together the Extended Costs for all the Cost Types.

Distributed Costs

This field is auto-populated with the total Distributed Costs for the line item.

It is calculated by adding together all of Distributed Costs that have been applied to the line item from the Other Costs section of the Estimate Worksheet.

You can see and change what costs are being distributed in the Other Costs section of the Estimate Worksheet (see Add or Delete Additional Costs from an Estimate Worksheet).

Markup

This field is auto-populated with the total Markup amount for the line item across all Cost Types - Material, Labor, Subcontract, Equipment, and any custom Cost Type(s).

It is determined by calculating the markup amount for each Cost Type (based on the Markup% of the Extended Costs for each Cost Type), then adding those Cost Type markup amounts together for a lump sum.

Base Total

This field is auto-populated with the combined total Extended Costs, Distributed Costs, and Markup for the line item.

It is calculated by adding together the data from the Extended Costs, Distributed Costs, and Markup fields under the line item Totals header.

Other Costs Column Data

Below are descriptions of the data fields located in the Other Costs section of the Estimate Worksheet.

Name

This field shows the name of the cost. 

You enter/edit the name directly in the cell on the Estimate Worksheet.

See Add or Delete Additional Costs from an Estimate Worksheet for more details and instructions.

Calculation Type

This field determines if the cost is added as a Lump Sum or a Percentage of certain data of you choose from the main estimate grid. 

You select the option directly in the cell on the Estimate Worksheet.

See Add or Delete Additional Costs from an Estimate Worksheet for more details and instructions.

Percentage Value

This field shows the percentage to be applied to the Basis Amount to determine the actual Cost. It is only editable if the Calculation Type is Percentage. 

You enter/edit the data directly in the cell on the Estimate Worksheet.

NOTE: This can be a negative number.

See Add or Delete Additional Costs from an Estimate Worksheet for more details and instructions.

Percentage Of

This field shows the percentage to be applied to the Basis Amount to determine the actual cost being added to the estimate. Note: This can be a negative number.

See Add or Delete Additional Costs from an Estimate Worksheet for more details and instructions.

Options

Option within the Label or Cost Type that determines the Basis Amount.

See Add or Delete Additional Costs from an Estimate Worksheet for more details and instructions.

Basis Amount

This field shows the amount to which the Percentage Value is applied to determine the actual cost being added to the estimate.

See Add or Delete Additional Costs from an Estimate Worksheet for more details and instructions.

Distribute

This field allows you to distribute the cost among line items in the main estimate grid. 

If selected, a cost with a Calculation Type of Lump Sum will be evenly distributed among all line items in the main estimate grid that have a unit cost. A cost with a Calculation Type of Percentage will be proportionately distributed among line items in the main estimate grid associated with the selections made in the Percentage Of and Options dropdowns.

You select to Distribute the cost directly in the cell on the Estimate Worksheet.

See Add or Delete Additional Costs from an Estimate Worksheet for more details and instructions.

Distributed Costs

This field shows the actual total cost being distributed among various line items the main estimate grid. It is only populated/editable if Distribute has been selected.

If the cost Calculation Type is Lump Sum, you will enter/edit the cost directly in the cell on the Estimate Worksheet.

If the Calculation Type is Percentage, the data will auto-populate based on the Percentage Value you entered which is applied to the Percentage Of and Options selections you made.

See Add or Delete Additional Costs from an Estimate Worksheet for more details and instructions.

Additional Costs

ADDITIONAL COSTS total on the green TOTALS bar at the bottom of the Estimate Worksheet, and added to the estimate BASE TOTAL to calculate SELLING PRICE.

If the cost Calculation Type is Lump Sum, you will enter/edit the cost directly in the cell on the Estimate Worksheet.

If the Calculation Type is Percentage, the data will auto-populate based on the Percentage Value you entered which is applied to the Percentage Of and Options selections you made. 

See Add or Delete Additional Costs from an Estimate Worksheet for more details and instructions.

Notes

This field shows any notes that have been added to describe the cost. Notes are optional.

You enter/edit notes directly in the cell on the Estimate Worksheet.

See Add or Delete Additional Costs from an Estimate Worksheet for more details and instructions.

Green Totals Bar Data

Below are descriptions of the data fields located on the green bar at the bottom of the Estimate Worksheet.

HOURS

This is auto-populated with the total labor hours for the estimate.

It is calculated by adding all values in the Hours column of the main estimate grid Totals section.

BASE COST

This is auto-populated with the total Direct Costs, Indirect Costs, and Contingencies for the estimate.

It is calculated by adding all costs in the Extended Costs and Markup columns of the of the main estimate grid Totals section with all Direct Costs, Indirect Costs, and Contingencies costs in the Additional Costs column of the Other Costs section of the estimate.

NET PROFIT

This is auto-populated with the percentage of profit relative to the estimate BASE COST.

It is calculated by dividing the sum of all Profit costs in the Additional Costs column from the Other Costs section of the estimate by the BASE COST shown on the green bar at the bottom of the estimate.

SELLING PRICE

This is auto-populated to show the estimate grand total.

It is calculated by adding together the BASE COST shown on the green bar at the bottom of the estimate and all Overhead, Profit, and Tax costs in the Additional Costs column of the Other Costs section of the estimate.

Related Articles

Estimate Worksheet Overview
Add or Delete Additional Costs from an Estimate Worksheet
How Estimates are Calculated (for Material and Labor Estimates and Unit Cost Estimates)