Applying Assemblies When Building a Rate

This is the workflow when you’re filling in an estimate by hand and want to use an assembly to compute one line’s rate. (For applying assemblies to measured takeoff groups, see Applying assemblies in takeoff.)

Step-by-step

1. Open the estimate and find the line item that needs a rate.
2. Click the rate cell (or the Build Rate action on the row) to open the Rate Builder.
3. Click Apply Assembly.
4. The Assembly Picker opens, showing:
   • Item context card at the top — the line description and UOM, so you can sanity-check you’re picking the right assembly.
   • AI-suggested assemblies (badged Suggested) — assemblies whose name and trade best match the line description. These are usually right; scan them first.
   • Full searchable list — for when the suggestions miss or you want a specific assembly.
5. Pick an assembly.
6. Set variables — if the assembly uses variables, inputs appear with their defaults pre-filled. Override any that don’t match this job (e.g. set thickness to 0.2 for a thicker slab).
7. Preview the rate — the computed unit rate updates live as you change variables. The component breakdown is shown so you can see what’s driving the number.
8. Click Apply. The composite rate is written to the line, and the breakdown is saved with it (you can re-open the line later to see exactly which products and quantities produced the rate).

Warnings to watch for

Replace warning. If the line already has a rate, you’ll see a confirmation dialog before it’s overwritten. The previous rate isn’t recoverable, so be sure.

UOM mismatch warning. If the assembly’s output UOM (e.g. m²) doesn’t match the line’s UOM (e.g. m), you’ll be warned. Almost always this is a wrong-assembly mistake — cancel and pick again.

Related

• Creating assemblies
• Applying assemblies in takeoff