Watch time: 6 minutes
Cost codes help you categorize every line item in your budget (labor, materials, allowances, etc.). With BuilderBid, you can import a full cost code list, edit it, or add codes one at a time — all to align with how your company tracks costs.
Watch this video to learn more (6 minutes):
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Navigate to the Cost Codes Page
In your main menu, go to Templates & Setup → Estimating + Cost Codes → Cost Codes.
This will bring you to the master list of cost codes your company uses.
2. Add a Single Cost Code
Under Other Actions, click Add New Cost Code.
Input the Cost Code Name & Number.
Click Save.
When you manually created/uploaded your cost codes without the groups, you can assign them by clicking on Assign to Cost Code Group under the Other Actions.
3. Bulk Import Cost Codes via Excel
First, make sure your list is in the correct template format. You can use the excel file below.
Open the Excel file and fill out your cost codes: one line per code. Optional fields you may skip.
Save the Excel file.
Return to BuilderBid → Other Actions → Import from Excel → upload your filled spreadsheet.
The system will process the file and add or update codes accordingly.
You can switch views between Cost Codes & Cost Code Groups.
4. Manage Visibility & Make Changes
If a cost code is outdated (you no longer use it), you can set it as Inactive so it no longer appears in dropdowns when estimating.
If you have cost codes you do use and want to make easily selectable in templates, make sure they are set to Active and visible in your company templates.
If you want to make changes/edits, click on Rename.
5. Assign Cost Codes to Template
The last step is to assign your cost codes to your Estimate Template. To do that, click on the Estimating Templates tab at the top, then select Edit under your template.
By default, your template will show the Notes column in the middle. To change it, click on the Settings button, then toggle on Show Cost Codes.
From there, you can go through each line item, double click on the cell under the Cost Code column, then select the cost codes accordingly.
