Watch time: 2 minutes
When you first open the Estimating tab in a new project, you’ll see four green buttons at the bottom of the page. These options represent different ways to begin building your estimate. Most builders will use templates to save time, but you can also start from scratch or copy an existing project when needed.
This guide explains what each option does and when to use it.
Watch this video to learn more(2 minutes):
Start-Up Options Explained
1. Import a Template (Most Common)
Use this option to quickly build your estimate using a pre-built structure
Steps:
Click Import a Template.
Choose whether you want to pull from:
My Templates – templates you’ve saved and customized
BuilderBid Templates – preloaded templates provided by BuilderBid
Tip:
If you plan to customize a BuilderBid template (change prices, rename sections, add assemblies), go to Templates & Setup first and pull the template into My Templates.This ensures you’re working from your own editable version for future projects.
2. Start From Scratch
Use this if you prefer to build an estimate manually.
You can:
Create custom section names
Add line items
Pull in cost library assemblies
Build the structure exactly how you need it
This is usually only needed for small or one-off jobs.
3. Copy From Project
Best for repeat builds or similar models.
Use this when you've already built one project and need to create another that is nearly identical—such as a second home in a plan series.
What this option does:
Clones the estimate from another project
Allows you to make small adjustments instead of rebuilding everything
Saves a significant amount of time for repeatable work
4. Import From Excel – Not Commonly Used
The fourth option is mainly an internal tool and is rarely needed by most users.
