Navigating OnCost™ Estimating

BACKGROUND

ConstructionOnline's industry-leading OnCost Estimating software provides users with detailed options that allow them to build fast, accurate construction estimates for all types of projects. Within all OnCost Project Estimates, Opportunity Estimates, and Estimate Templates, ConstructionOnline™ Company Users have access to two specialized toolbars designed to centralize controls and maximize efficiency throughout the estimating process. 

The Estimating Toolbars contain estimate actions that equip users with dynamic navigational options to quickly and easily build out their construction estimates. With easy, fluid access in mind, the Toolbars use an intelligent interface to respond to whatever Estimate Sheet, view, or mode the current Estimate is in.

For example, if the user is currently within the Estimate's Project Totals sheet, only "Insert Category" and "Insert Subcategory" options will be available within the Toolbars as Project Totals sheets only contain high-level Category and Subcategory information.

THINGS TO CONSIDER

• Access to Estimating Toolbar options and visibility may vary based on a Company User's permissions or whether the Estimate has been locked.  

   

• Estimating Ribbon Toolbar

  • The Ribbon Toolbar is always visible at the top of every OnCost Estimate and cannot be hidden.
    

• Estimating Action Toolbar

• • The Action Toolbar is a moveable, optional toolbar that can be shown or hidden and repositioned anywhere on the screen for a more personalized estimating workspace.
    
    

ESTIMATING TOOLBARS

The Ribbon Toolbar is the primary navigation hub within OnCost Estimating—always visible at the top of the Estimate and organized into tabs for quick access to all major estimating functions. The Action Toolbar provides an additional, optional layer of quick-access navigation for common estimate actions—and can be repositioned anywhere on the screen for a more personalized estimating workspace.  

✦ New:

• ✦ Insert — Add new Category, Subcategory, or Item to the Estimate. 

• • The options available respond dynamically to the current Estimate sheet. 
• ✦ Copy Estimate — Duplicate the current Estimate for reuse or reference. 
• ✦ Create Template — Save the current Estimate as a reusable Company Template. 
• ✦ Create Schedule from Estimate — Generate a Project Schedule using the current Estimate's structure. 

✦ Edit:

• ✦ Move Up / Move Down — Reorder the selected Category, Subcategory, or Item within the Estimate. 
  
• ✦ Edit — Edit the selected Category, Subcategory, or Item. 
• ✦ Delete — Delete the selected Category, Subcategory, or Item.
  

✦ View:

• ✦ View — Switch between five preset column views: Budget, Simple Estimate, Advanced Estimate, Job Costing, and Invoicing.
• ✦ Show / Hide Columns — Control which columns are visible in the Estimate table. 
• ✦ Hide Empty Sections — Remove sections with no dollar value from view to reduce visual clutter. 

✦ Reports:

• ✦ Create Proposal — Generate a client-facing Estimate Proposal. 
• ✦ Estimate Reports — Access the full library of available Estimate Reports 
  
  🗒️ Note: The Estimating Action Toolbar provides access to the Create Contract Summary report only. 

• ✦ Export to Excel — Export the current Estimate to an Excel (.XLSX) file. 
  

• TrueVision™ Reports — Access TrueVision Reporting options for the current Estimate. 

Costbooks:

• Refresh Costs for... — Refresh pricing from connected Costbooks for the Estimate.
  
  • Refresh Item Costs: Update pricing for individual line items.
  • Refresh Assemblies: Update pricing for Assemblies. 
• View Costbooks — Open the Company Costbooks library. 
• Create Costbook from Estimate — Save current Estimate pricing as a new Company Costbook. 

Invoicing:

• Create Invoice — Generate a new Invoice directly from the Estimate. 
  
  • ...from Estimate
  • ...from Change Order 
  • ...from Bills and Expenses/Receipts
  • ...from Retainage 
  • ...from Scratch 
• See All Invoices — View all Invoices associated with the current Project. 

✦ QuickBooks:

• QuickBooks Settings — Configure QuickBooks Integration Settings for the Estimate. 
• ✦ Send to QuickBooks — Send Estimate data to QuickBooks (if integrated). 
• ✦ Import from QuickBooks — Import financial data from QuickBooks into the Estimate (if integrated). 

Redline™ Takeoff:

• See Estimate Takeoffs — View all Takeoffs linked to the current Estimate. 
• Import Takeoff Values — Pull Takeoff measurements directly into Estimate Line Items. 
• Go to Redline Takeoff — Navigate directly to the Redline Takeoff feature. 

✦ Estimate Settings:

• ✦ Estimate Settings — Access and manage general settings for the Estimate. 
• ✦ Calculation Methods — Define how Remaining Value and Balance are calculated—using ConstructionOnline data, QuickBooks data, or a combination of both. 
• ✦ Item Defaults — Set presets for Unit, Classification, Status, Markup Type, and Tax Type so new line items auto-populate, significantly speeding up data entry. 
• ✦ Markups — Configure classification-based markup percentages for the Estimate. 
• ✦ Estimate Locks — Lock individual fields or the entire estimate to protect data integrity and prevent accidental changes that could create discrepancies in QuickBooks. 
• ✦ Taxes — Update global tax settings for the Estimate. 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION 

• Estimating 101 Webinar — a guided walkthrough of OnCost Estimating fundamentals. 
• Subscription Level: OnCost Estimating is available on all active ConstructionOnline subscriptions. Access to connected financial tools varies by subscription tier. 
• Permissions: Visibility and actions available within the Estimate depend on a User's Estimating permissions. 
• CO™ Mobile App: The Estimating feature is available via the mobile app for viewing and adding notes. Utilizing the Estimating toolbars, however, requires browser access to ConstructionOnline. 

HAVE MORE QUESTIONS?

• Frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding OnCost Estimating can be found in the FAQ: Estimating article. 
• If you need additional assistance, chat with a Specialist by clicking the orange Chat icon located in the bottom left corner or visit the UDA support page for additional options.