What will you find in this article?
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Importing Bill of Quantities: How to upload files from estimation software to 12Build.
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Managing columns and data: Linking fields and manually editing or deleting rows.
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Linking to workpackages: How to distribute the digital bill of quantities across different lots or workpackages.
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Bill of quantities in the request: The result of the linkage in your communication with subcontractors.
Summary
By importing bills of quantities directly from your estimating software, you maintain a streamlined structure in your project. You can easily link the imported lines to Workpackages, allowing 12Build to automatically generate customized Excel and PDF files for your subcontractors.
Requirements and target audience
This article is written for general contractors. To follow these steps, you need an export file (such as Excel) from your estimating software (e.g., KPD) and must have the permissions to manage project settings and budget lines.
Importing the Bill of Quantities
The foundation of a good digital bill of quantities is importing the correct source data.
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In the main menu on the left, go to Budget Rules or Bill of Quantities.
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Click the Rules option.
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Click the Import Rules button.
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Drag your file into the red box or click Browse to select the file.
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Verify that a green checkmark appears next to the file and click Next in the bottom-right corner.
Manage columns and data
After uploading, the software needs to understand which information is in which column.
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Link the columns of your bill of quantities to the available fields in 12Build by selecting them. Linked columns will display a green checkmark.
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If you wish to display additional information, click on Customize Column, check the relevant column, and click on its name to rename it.
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Click Next to complete the import.
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To edit data manually, click the pencil icon behind a row to modify the code, name, quantity, or unit.
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Click the trash can icon to delete unnecessary rows.
Link to workpackages
The imported rows must be assigned to the correct lots or Workpackages.
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Create a workpackage: Click the orange plus sign in the bottom right corner and select Add Workpackage. Find the correct workpackage based on your chosen system and adjust the name if necessary.
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Select rows: In the overview, unlinked rows are colored red. Select the desired rows by checking them.
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Move: Click Move at the bottom right.
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Confirm: Select the correct workpackage in the pop-up or create a new one directly via +New Workpackage. Click on Change Workpackage to complete the link.
Measurement reports in the request
Once the lines are linked, they are automatically processed in your outgoing communications.
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Navigate to the Communication page.
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When creating a Request for Proposal, you’ll find automatically generated Excel and PDF files under the Workpackage section.
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These documents contain only the lines specifically linked to that workpackage/lot.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Question: Why are some lines in my overview colored red? Answer: Red lines are imported bill of quantities lines that have not yet been linked to a workpackage or lot. Once you link them, the color changes.
Question: Can I also link the bill of quantities from the communication screen? Answer: Yes, using the green button in the work item settings on the communication screen, you can directly select and link the corresponding rules.
Troubleshooting
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Symptom: The import fails or the columns are not recognized.
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Cause: The file has an incorrect format or contains complex formatting (as is common in many manually created Excel files).
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Solution: Use the export functionality of your estimation software to create a clean structure, or check that the file is not password-protected.
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Symptom: I do not see an Excel file appear in my work package documents.
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Cause: No bill of quantities lines have been linked to this specific workpackage yet.
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Solution: Return to the bill of quantities rules and use the 'Move' function to assign the rules to the correct lot.
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