Overview
Estimating is where you win or lose money on a project. Too high, and you lose the bid. Too low, and you lose profit, or worse, take a loss. Accurate estimating is the foundation of profitable project management.
This guide shows you how to build detailed, accurate estimates in Structur using cost codes, templates, and proven workflows that protect your margins and win competitive bids.
Understanding Estimates
What It Does
Structur's estimating tool allows you to:
Build detailed line-item estimates
Organize costs using groups and cost codes
Apply markup, overhead, profit, and tax
Create and manage estimate revisions
Use templates for repeatable work
Import/export estimate data
Convert estimates into proposals and budgets
When to Use It
Use Estimates when you need to:
Create a new project estimate
Price work using cost codes and groups
Apply markup, overhead, profit, and tax
Create revisions and compare pricing
Prepare an estimate that will later turn into a proposal and budget
Navigate to Estimates
In the left sidebar, go to Leads or Projects pipeline and then open the desired project
Once a project is selected, navigate to Preconstruction dropdown and then select Estimates
View your estimates in either:
List view, or
Grid view
In list or grid view, use the three-dot menu on an estimate to edit or delete
This is where all your estimates live.
Creating a New Estimate
Start the Process
Click New Estimate
Choose how you want to start:
Start from Scratch, or
Use a Template
Start from Scratch vs Template
If You Start from Scratch:
You'll build everything manually:
Groups
Cost codes
Pricing
If You Use a Template:
Select a template in Select a Template
When the estimate is created, Structur will automatically pull:
Groups
Cost codes
Pricing
This is useful if you reuse the same structure across projects.
When to Use Templates:
Similar project types (all kitchen remodels, all office build-outs)
Repetitive scopes of work
Standardized pricing structures
Time savings on common projects
Configuring Estimate Settings
When creating the estimate, complete the following fields:
Estimate Title - Name it descriptively
Project - It defaults to the current project
Estimator Name - Who's responsible for this estimate
Area - Square footage or other measurement
Overhead Percentage - Your overhead rate
Profit Percentage - Your profit rate
Understanding Estimate Options
Compound Profit on Markup and Overhead
When enabled:
Profit is calculated on top of:
Cost code internal markup
Overhead set in the estimate
When disabled:
Profit is calculated based on the raw cost only
Example:
If enabled: $1,000.00 cost + 10% markup ($100.00) + 10% overhead ($110.00) + 10% profit ($121.00) = $1,331.00
If disabled: $1,000.00 cost + 10% markup ($100.00) + 10% overhead ($110.00) + 10% profit ($100.00) = $1,310.00
Tax Collection Settings
Enable Tax Collection:
Turn on Enable Tax Collection
A new option appears:
Apply Tax on Top of Overhead and Profit
Apply Tax on Top of Overhead and Profit:
When enabled:
Tax is applied on:
Overhead
Profit
When disabled:
Tax applies only on the raw cost
Set the Tax Rate
Tax Implications:
Different jurisdictions have different tax rules. Some tax labor and materials differently. Configure this to match your local requirements.
Create the Estimate
Click Create New Estimate
The full estimate opens, and you can begin working on it
Top Bar Tools Overview
Once inside an estimate, the top bar gives you several powerful tools.
Go to Budget
This button opens the project budget
If you already have an approved proposal or an approved change order, you'll see that all these approved documents will feed the budget
If you open the budget before any document is approved, you won't see anything
Managing Revisions
Create a New Revision:
Click New Revision
A new version of the estimate is created:
Revisions are numbered automatically
Starts at Revision 1
Each new revision increases the number
📌 Important:
You can have multiple revisions for one estimate
If one revision is approved, all other revisions are automatically declined
Why Use Revisions:
Client requests pricing changes
Scope modifications
Import Options
Import Templates:
Import one or more existing templates directly into the current estimate
Combines template data with existing estimate data
Import CSV:
Click Import CSV
A popup appears:
Use the link provided in the popup to download a CSV template
Fill out the template with:
Cost code
Description
Quantity
Unit
Unit Cost
Markup
Upload the CSV
All data is imported into the estimate
⚠️ It's very important to use the provided CSV template.
CSV Import Use Cases:
Importing data from other estimating software
Bulk updates to pricing
Receiving vendor quotes in spreadsheet format
Historical project data migration
Download CSV
Download the estimate as a CSV file
Open and review it in Excel
Share with team members
Archive for records
Template Management
Manage Templates:
From here you can:
Convert the current estimate into a template
Edit an existing template
Delete an existing template
Creating Effective Templates:
Name templates clearly by project type
Include common cost groups
Set baseline pricing
Update regularly based on market changes
Document what the template is for
Settings Access
The Settings icon allows you to update:
Estimate title
Estimator name
Area
Overhead
Profit
Profit compounding option
Tax settings
You can also delete the estimate here.
Understanding Estimate Summary Boxes
Right below the top bar, you'll see three summary boxes.
Box 1: Financial Metrics
This box shows high-level numbers for the entire estimate:
Direct Cost - Subtotal of all cost codes
Internal Markup - Sum of markup across all cost codes
Overhead - Sum of overhead across all cost codes
Profit - Sum of profit across all cost codes
Taxes - Sum of taxes across all cost codes
Total Price - Total price of the estimate
Total Price per Area - Total price divided by area
Margin Column:
Displays internal markup, overhead, profit and total price margins
These values can differ from the percentages in settings because they are calculated on the total price of the estimate, not just individual cost codes
Why Margins Matter:
These show your actual margins as a percentage of total price, which is what clients see. This differs from markup percentages applied to costs.
Box 2: Estimate Details
Shows:
Estimate title
Revision number
Estimator name
Overhead percentage (from settings)
Profit percentage (from settings)
Area
Proposal status
Every estimate has a proposal linked to it.
Box 3: Progress Bar
Left side - Direct costs
Right side - Internal markup + overhead + profit
This gives a quick visual breakdown of costs vs. margin.
Building Your Estimate Structure
Create Groups
Groups help organize work (phases, trades, etc.)
Examples:
Site Work
Foundation
Framing
MEP (Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing)
Finishes
Add Cost Codes
Click Add Cost Code
Select one or multiple cost codes at once
Click Manage to:
Open cost code management
Add custom cost codes
Standard Cost Code Categories
Each standard cost code includes a letter indicating:
L – Labor
M – Materials
S – Subcontractors
E – Equipment
O – Other
Understanding Cost Code Structure:
Cost codes help you:
Track where money is spent
Compare estimates to actuals
Build historical cost data
Create accurate future estimates
Cost Code Actions
Each group and cost code has a three-dot menu:
Delete one or multiple items
Move cost codes to a different group
Duplicate items
Organizing Tips:
Group by trade for subcontractor bids
Group by phase for scheduling
Group by responsibility for delegation
Entering Cost Code Details
For each cost code:
Description - What is this line item?
Quantity - How much/many?
Unit - What are you measuring?
Unit Cost - Cost per unit
Available Units
Budget plug
Cubic yard
Days
Each
Gallons
Hours
Kilograms
Linear feet
Lump sum
Months
Pounds
Quote
Squares
Square feet
Square meters
Weeks
Subtotal Calculation
Calculated automatically as:
Quantity × Unit Cost
Internal Markup
Enter internal markup as a percentage
OR, click the Internal Markup column header to:
Apply a markup to all cost codes at once
Markup Strategy:
Labor: Typically 15-30% markup
Materials: Typically 10-20% markup
Subcontractors: Typically 5-15% markup
Adjust based on risk and complexity
Allowances Feature
Checkbox per cost code
When enabled:
That cost code becomes available in the Allowances feature
Allowances allow you to:
Adjust amounts
Preview changes in the estimate
Create positive or negative change orders later
When to Use Allowances:
Uncertain pricing (owner selections pending)
Alternates or options
Materials not yet selected
Scope items that may change
Tax Application
Checkbox per cost code
When checked, the Tax is applied to that cost code
Tax Considerations:
Some jurisdictions don't tax labor
Materials typically taxable
Equipment may vary
Check local tax laws
Total & Price per Area
Total = Subtotal + Internal Markup
Price per Area is calculated automatically
Moving to Proposal
Once your estimate is complete:
Click View Proposal
Customize the proposal
Send it to the client
After approval, the estimate will feed the Budget.
Best Practices for Accurate Estimating
Before You Start
Walk the site - Understand conditions and access
Review plans carefully - Note all requirements
Clarify scope - What's included vs. excluded?
Check current pricing - Material and labor costs change
During Estimating
Use templates - For repeatable work
Always use the provided CSV template - For imports
Use groups - Keep estimates clean and readable
Use allowances - For uncertain or adjustable costs
Document assumptions - Note what you're including
Review and double-check - Before sending proposal
After Estimating
Compare to ballpark - Does it align?
Check margins - Are you hitting profit targets?
Review with team - Get input from PMs and superintendents
Save as template - If you'll do similar work again
What Happens After Approval
After proposal approval:
The Budget becomes available
Approved revisions flow into budgeting
You can track estimated vs. actual costs
Financial reporting becomes active
Change orders compare against original budget
Budget Tracking:
The estimate becomes your baseline. As the project progresses:
Bills and expenses hit the budget
You see remaining budget per cost code
Overruns are flagged early
Financial health is visible in real-time
Improving Estimating Accuracy
Track Performance
After project completion:
Compare estimate to actuals
Calculate variance by cost code
Identify patterns in over/underestimating
Update templates with real data
Build Historical Data
Save all estimates, even lost bids
Track actual costs per square foot
Document conditions and challenges
Feed learnings back into future estimates
Continuous Improvement
Regular pricing updates
Market rate research
Vendor relationship pricing
Efficiency improvements
Common Questions
Q: Can I have multiple estimates for one project?
Yes! Create different estimates for different scopes, value engineering options, or pricing scenarios.
Q: What happens to declined revisions?
They remain in the system for reference but are marked as declined. Only approved revisions feed the budget.
Q: Can I copy an estimate to another project?
Yes, save it as a template first, then use that template on the new project.
Q: How do I handle unit price contracts?
Use cost codes with quantities and unit prices. This structure supports unit price contracts well.
Q: What if my actual costs exceed my estimate?
The budget feature tracks estimate vs. actual. This helps you identify overruns early and make corrections.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
❌ Don't | ✅ Do |
Forget to enter the area (breaks per-area calculations) | Use current pricing data |
Upload a CSV that doesn't match the provided template | Include all scope items |
Expect the budget before proposal approval | Mark uncertain items as allowances |
Skip allowances for uncertain items | Review overhead and profit percentages |
Forget to include tax where applicable | Check all calculations |
Rush through without reviewing | Save successful estimates as templates |
Copy old estimates without updating pricing | Document your assumptions |