The Cost tab in the Project Estimates form allows users to enter and manage all cost-related data for a project when the estimation method is set to Independent Calculation of Costs and Revenues. This means cost and revenue figures are maintained and calculated separately.
Differences Based on Revenue vs. Independent Calculation
Feature | Revenue-Based Calculation | Independent Calculation |
|---|---|---|
| Cost derived from revenue | Yes (markup applied) | No (costs are entered independently) |
| Revenue auto-filled based on cost | Yes | No |
| Separate handling of VAT, price, and items | Limited | Fully flexible and detailed |
| Cost and revenue linkage | Direct | No linkage (manual entry) |
Fill by Revenue
This is a button The Fill by Revenue button is available on the Costs tab of the "Project Estimates (create)" form when the estimation method is set to "Independent Calculation of Costs and Revenues." Project Estimates form.
When clicked, it automatically fills in cost estimates using the revenue figures already entered on the Revenues tab. This provides a quick way to generate initial cost values, which can then be edited adjusted manually if needed. The feature is useful for maintaining consistency and saving time during This function ensures consistency between projected revenues and expected costs, streamlining early-stage project budgeting.
Refill Cost
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Prices
The "Refill Cost Prices" button updates the prices of all listed cost items Price fields in the Costs tab using the system’s current price lists. When clicked, a confirmation message appears, and if confirmed, the system fetches the latest prices from the purchasing or vendor price list and replaces the values in the Price column.This function helps ensure that the cost estimates reflect the most current and accurate pricing, based on official or approved lists. It does not change quantities, UOMs, or other fields—only the price. If a price is not available in the listlatest values from project item pricing documents.
When selected, the system checks each cost item against relevant project-specific pricing records and replaces outdated prices with the most current approved values. A confirmation prompt is displayed before proceeding with the update.
Does not change Quantity, UOM, or Cost Element fields, only the price.
If no new price is available in the pricing document, the existing value remains unchanged.
Purchasing Price
The Purchasing Price form lets users select and apply the most relevant price for an item from historical purchase data, supplier tenders, or Suppliers price lists.
Shows quantity and price in AEDaccounting currency.
Includes a toggle for VAT inclusion.
Displays history of purchases by supplier and price.
Allows applying the selected price directly to the estimate.
This ensures cost accuracy and standardization based on previous procurement.
Change Cost Form
The Change Cost Form enables allows for bulk adjustment modification of existing project cost estimates. Users can adjust values by a defined specific percentage or a fixed AED valueamount.
Key features includeFeatures:
Change Cost By: Input either a percentage (%) or absolute value (AED) to increase or decrease the total project cost.Filters: Adjustments can be restricted Apply percentage or absolute adjustments
Filters: Apply changes to specific Expense Items or WBS elements using selection filters.Work Breakdown Structure (WBS) levels
Adjustments Table:
Displays current cost (“Before”), entered adjustment, and updated cost (“After”).
Auto-calculates the impact of changes on total cost.
Totals Section: Shows how changes affect:
Revenue
Costs
Overhead
Totals Section: Displays impact on Revenue, Costs, Overhead, and Profit
Apply Changes: Confirms the update and recalculates totals.Executes and updates cost values
Close: Exits the form without saving changes.
Shows before and after cost values with automatic recalculations
Example:
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A 5% increase on a 658,380 AED budget
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adds 32,919 AED, updating the
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cost and reducing profit accordingly.
Pick by Resources
The Pick button (when used with Resource Type filters) helps select relevant cost elements such as:
Employees (for labor)
Items (materials or goods)
Fixed assets (equipment usage)
Speeds up the process by filtering available elements according to the type of cost being estimated.
The Fill by Templates feature allows loading pre-defined Cost by Resource Types screen allows users to add different types of costs to a project estimates, such as materials, labor, equipment, and subcontracted services.
On the left, users can select a category like Cost of Materials or Subcontract. After choosing the appropriate category, the related cost items appear in the list on the right. From there, users can pick items like concrete, furniture, or labor services.
The selected items are shown at the bottom, where quantities, prices, and VAT can be entered. Once done, clicking Add Picked Costs will add these items to the cost tab of the project estimates. This function is especially useful for custom projects, where cost structure is unique.
Employees (Labor costs)
Inventory items (Materials)
Fixed assets (Equipment use)
Subcontractor services (e.g., construction, external labor)
Pick by Templates
The Pick by Templates feature allows users to load predefined sets of cost structures into the Cost tab.Costs tab. These sets are drawn from other projects marked as templates.
Facilitates the reuse of cost data for similar work types
Saves time and promotes standardization
Enables consistent cost planning across projects
