Price book

Price items and assemblies

Understand when to create price items, when to create assemblies, and how they help estimates stay consistent.

When to use a price item

Use a price item for one simple reusable cost or sellable unit.

Good examples:

  • Interior paint per gallon
  • Primer per gallon
  • Skilled labor hour
  • Daily equipment charge
  • Permit fee

When to use an assembly

Use an assembly when the work includes multiple cost parts or needs reusable scope language.

Good examples:

  • Standard interior room repaint
  • Cabinet repaint package
  • Exterior siding repaint per square foot
  • Drywall repair and repaint
  • Bathroom refresh scope

What an assembly can include

Assemblies can include:

  • Materials
  • Labor
  • Equipment
  • Subcontractor cost
  • Other cost
  • Customer scope text
  • Internal notes

Customer scope vs internal notes

Customer scope should explain what the customer is buying. Internal notes should explain how your team prices or performs the work.

Customer scope example:

Includes wall preparation, one primer coat where needed, two finish coats, standard masking, and cleanup.

Internal note example:

Assumes normal access, no lead paint remediation, and one helper for prep.

Editing old estimates

Changing a price item or assembly should help future estimates. Old official estimates should preserve the version already sent to the customer.