How do I create an Item Group and use it from the Cost Items Database?

Purpose:

To create an Item Group.

Background:

The Item Groups are a quick way to add items to your Estimates, Invoices, etc. without having to add every single line item. This is done once in your Cost Item Data Base, then it can be used in other modules as noted above.

Steps to Create an Item Group:

To create Items Groups in the Cost Items Database, go to the Menu and select Cost Items Database.

In the Cost Items Database, select the Items Groups tab.

On the top right, click on the drop down and select Add Group Item.

A new window will pop up. We have to fill in the mandatory values marked with a red asterisk such as Name and the Status. An internal note will be help you to remember in which cases you want to use this Item Group.

The final step will be to click on the button Add/Manage Items to add all the items pertaining to that group and Save it.

Example:

Let’s say we are an Electrical Contractor and every time we install an Electrical Outlet, it involve a bunch of items with a cost. We proceed to create a new Item Group, we will call it “Electrical Outlet”, within it, we will add the following:

• 1 Electrical Box (Material)
• 10 LF of Wire (14/2 or 12/2) (Material)
• 1 Electrical Outlet (Material)
• 2 hrs Electrician (Labor)

Then, next time we select the Electrical Outlet Item Group to be added to our Estimate, it will bring the list above with the quantities given in the Item Group. Therefore we do not have to create every item to our Estimate since the Item Group will bring everything within it into our Estimate.

If we want to install 3 Electrical Outlets, we will have to edit the QTY column and multiply the actual quantity times 3. It will not do the math. Remember this is just a quick way to add the items.

***The quantities, list of materials and prices listed are for training purposes only.