What details can be included in a Costbook Item?

Costbook Items can contain the following details: 

• Details 
  • Item Name: Custom name given to the Costbook Item
  • Description: Text field where you can enter any additional details related to the Costbook Item
  • Resource(s): Resources can be attached to the Costbook Item by selecting the desired Resource(s) from the dropdown menu or by typing the Resource Name in the Resource field 
  • Website Link: Website link(s) relevant to the Costbook Item can be pasted in this field
  • Classification: Material, Labor, Subcontractor, Equipment, or Other Classifications can be assigned to the Costbook Item. More information about assigning Classification in ConstructionOnline can be found here. 
  • Purchase Unit: The specific quantity or packaging in which the Costbook Item is procured or purchased
    • Common examples of Purchase Units included in the default list provided by ConstructionOnline include: Square Feet, Cubic Yards, Each, Sheets, 5 gal. bucket, Day, Packs, and Rolls. ConstructionOnline provides 44 Purchase Units by default.
    • The Purchase Unit list can be managed by clicking the gear icon ⚙️.
  • Unit of Measure: The standardized quantity used to express the extent, quanitity, or amount of the Costbook Item
    • ConstructionOnline provides the following options for Unit of Measure:
      • None
      • Each
      • ln. ft.
      • sq. ft.
      • cu. ft.
      • cu. yards
      • ln. m.
      • sq. m.
      • cu. m. 
  • Unit Cost: Cost per Unit of the Costbook Item
  • Waste %: Accounts for any material that may be lost or remain unused at the end of the job; common waste percentages are around 10-15% 

• • Coverage Rate: Determines the quantity of the Unit of Measure that will be covered by a quantity of the Purchase Unit when performing a takeoff
    • For example, when performing an area takeoff for drywall, 32 sq. ft. would be covered by one 4 ft. x 8 ft. drywall sheet. 
• Notes: Add any General Notes, TeamLink Notes, and/or ClientLink Notes
• Specifications: Detail the work and workmanship required for the Costbook Item 
• Attachments: Attach any important files or documents to the Item
• Item Image: Add an image that will signify the Costbook Item
  • Any images uploaded within the Attachments tab will populate here. ConstructionOnline automatically selects the first image from the Attachments list as the Item Image by default. 

Click here for more frequently asked questions (FAQs) regarding ConstructionOnline's Items Database & Costbooks.