Watch time: 11 minutes
In BuilderBid, the most efficient way to start taking measurements is directly from your spreadsheet. Measurements taken this way automatically calculate quantities, apply pricing, and populate your budget. This guide will walk you step-by-step through using all three measurement tools, managing openings, linking measurements, and creating custom measurements.
Watch this video to learn more(11 minutes):
Steps to Start Measurements
1. Launch a Measurement
Go to your spreadsheet.
Click the blue play button next to the line item you want to measure.
Measuring from the spreadsheet ensures your quantities are automatically added to your budget.
2. Measurement Tools
BuilderBid offers three types of measurement tools:
Area – For rooms, floors, or any surface
Linear – For walls, baseboards, or linear materials
Count – For fixtures, doors, windows, or repeating items
3. Using the Area Tool
Click your starting corner, then click along each corner to trace the area.
Click the last point to finish.
Tips:
Press Backspace to undo the last point.
For square/rectangular rooms, press Shift to switch to the box tool, then click from one corner to the opposite diagonal.
Press Enter to exit the tool.
Subtract Openings:
Right-click inside the measured area.
Select Subtract From Tool.
Measure the opening (door, window, etc.).
The area will be deducted from the original measurement.
4. Right Menu
This is where all your measurements will be listed.
Minus (-) Button: Activate the Subtract From tool.
Plus (+) Button: Continue measuring the same line item.
Measurement Property Box: Edit measurement properties (color, height, pitch, quantity).
Eyeball Icon: Hide finished measurements to reduce screen clutter.
Trash Icon: Delete all measurements for that line item; or right-click a specific point/area and select Delete.
5. Using the Linear Measurement Tool
Let's try to measure a wall area.
Click the blue play button.
Enter the wall height and click OK.
Draw along the wall to measure its length.
Add Openings:
Right-click along the line, select Add Opening, measure the width, and specify the height.
Openings appear as broken lines in the drawing.
6. Using the Count Tool
Use this tool for items you want to count individually, such as lighting fixtures, plumbing fixtures, doors, or windows.
7. Linking Multiple Measurements
Linking measurements is useful when multiple measurements share the same material or line item (e.g., different ceiling heights or roof pitches).
To link measurements:
Right-click the on where the blue play button is in your spreadsheet.
Select Link New Measurement.
Enter a name (or keep the original), choose a color, and adjust advanced properties (height, pitch).
Click OK.
The linked measurements now appear as a single line item in your budget.
Verify by right-clicking the line item in the spreadsheet to see all linked measurements.
8. Creating Measurements from Scratch
Use the buttons on the right menu to select a measurement type.
Enter a title, choose a color, and click OK.
Start measuring.
Measurements created from scratch appear under the Unassigned folder on the right menu.
To include them in your budget, drag & drop them into the spreadsheet and price them.
