Watch Time: 8 minutes
In this video, we’ll guide you step-by-step on how to set up your screen, navigate your plan sheets, and calibrate your drawings—so you’re fully prepared to start accurate and efficient takeoffs.
Watch this video to learn more(8 minutes):
Steps:
1. Adjust Your Screen Zoom
If you're using a smaller screen, a low-resolution monitor, or notice that BuilderBid looks too zoomed in, open your browser settings and adjust the zoom level until everything fits comfortably on your screen.
2. Adjust the Split-Screen Layout
You can customize how much space the plans or spreadsheet take up.
Click and hold the divider line between the plan sheets and the spreadsheet.
Drag it up or down to set the view you prefer.
A middle position usually provides the best balance.
When you launch a measurement tool, the spreadsheet automatically hides and the plan viewer goes full-screen.
3. Navigating and Zooming on Your Plans
Using a Mouse
Scroll wheel = zoom in/out
Right-click + hold = pan around the drawing
Using a Trackpad
Two-finger pinch = zoom in/out
Press Spacebar to activate the pan tool
Your cursor will change
The hand icon on the right will turn yellow (pan mode active)
Note: The zoom is directional—wherever your cursor is pointing is where the drawing zooms in.
4. Manage Your Plan Sheets
To access plan sheet management tools:
Click Configure at the top right.
From here, you can:
Rename plan sheets
Upload additional files
Organize sheets (drag to re-sequence, toggle to hide/unhide)
Duplicate sheets
Rotate sheets if they were scanned incorrectly
5. Switch Between Plan Pages
You can change pages in two ways:
Use your Up & Down arrow keys to move to the next or previous page
Use the dropdown list to jump directly to a specific sheet
6. Calibrate or Scale Your Plan Sheets
There are two ways to set the correct scale:
Option 1: Scale Is Listed
Click the Scale button on the right.
Under Option 1, choose the scale from the dropdown.
Click Continue.
Option 2: Scale Not Provided
Go to Option 2.
Manually set the scale by measuring the distance between two known points on the plan.
7. Verify the Scale (Optional but Recommended)
To confirm the scale is accurate:
Click Other.
Select Length.
Measure any known dimension on the drawing.
