# Create your Estimate

## Summary
This tutorial covers how to create and manage estimates in BuilderPal to plan project costs effectively. Accurate estimates help in budgeting, resource allocation, and ensuring project profitability.

## Prerequisites
- An active BuilderPal account.
- An existing project or create a new one in BuilderPal.
- Access to the Site Office section.

## Steps
1. **Navigate to the Estimate section.** Go to [app.builderpal.com](https://app.builderpal.com), create a new project or select an existing one (e.g., "Middleschool Staircase Renovation"), then click **Site Office** followed by **Estimate**.

    ![](https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-12-02/3c024a6e-3986-43fc-b57e-aadbded9e41f/stack_animation.webp)

2. **Edit the estimate name.** Click the edit icon in the "Selected Estimate" card, enter the desired name (e.g., "Estimate Draft"), and click **Save**.

    ![](https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-12-02/689c279a-59ec-4af7-8f9a-e884cc3a62b5/stack_animation.webp)

3. **Create a new estimate if needed.** Click **Change** at the top, select **Create**, enter the name (e.g., "Estimate For The Future"), click **Save**, then click **Select Estimate** to switch to it.

    ![](https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-12-02/7cad2e16-5699-4a7e-86ff-ca5830998701/stack_animation.webp)

4. **Add a cost item.** Click **Add Cost Item**, select a cost code (e.g., "Carpentry"), and click **Next**.

    ![](https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-12-02/c6f60af1-2702-428d-bb1d-8f00a939678c/stack_animation.webp)

5. **Enter cost item details.** Provide the title (e.g., "Carpenter Tools"), amount (e.g., "$1000"), markup amount (e.g., "15%"), and other relevant fields, then click **Save**.

    ![](https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-12-02/3730a433-0799-4860-b39d-de2ccb97c875/stack_animation.webp)

6. **Export the quote.** Once all items are added, click **Export Quote** to generate a document listing your estimate items.

    ![](https://ajeuwbhvhr.cloudimg.io/https://colony-recorder.s3.amazonaws.com/files/2025-12-02/7aeaf047-ef12-4b57-a1fb-69bd4cbfc316/ascreenshot.jpeg?tl_px=0,118&br_px=1102,735&force_format=jpeg&q=100&width=1103&wat_scale=98&wat=1&wat_opacity=0.7&wat_gravity=northwest&wat_url=https://colony-recorder.s3.us-west-1.amazonaws.com/images/watermarks/FB923C_standard.png&wat_pad=450,415)

## FAQ
**What if I can't find the Estimate section?** Ensure you're in the **Site Office** view within a project. If it's missing, check your role permissions or contact support.

**Can I add custom cost codes?** Yes, you can import or create custom cost codes during the "Add Cost Item" process if the desired code isn't listed.

**How do I delete an estimate item?** Navigate to the estimate, select the item, and use the delete option in the edit menu.

**What happens if I change the markup type?** Switching between percentage and fixed amount will recalculate the total cost automatically based on the new markup.

**Is there a limit to the number of estimates per project?** No, you can create multiple estimates for comparison or different scenarios within the same project.

## Related Articles
- [Manage your Budget](https://docs.builderpal.com/books/site-office/page/manage-your-budget)
- [Create Cost Codes / Divisions](https://docs.builderpal.com/books/general-contractor-guide/page/create-cost-codes-divisions)

## Metadata
**Relevant Roles:** Builder, Owner
**Feature Area:** Estimating
**Article Type:** Workflow / Tutorial