CostBook vs Excel and Google Sheets
Your spreadsheet got you here. It can't see what's missing or stale.
| Topic | Spreadsheet | CostBook |
|---|---|---|
| Price book | One per estimator, rarely current | One shared copy, changes logged |
| The BOM | Retyped, priced by hand | From EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical or Excel, matched by part number |
| Forgotten items | Caught if someone remembers | Must be priced or waived to send |
| Price changes | Open quotes never know | Affected quotes flagged, margin before and after |
| Margin vs markup | Easy to mix up in a formula | Set per section, math shown |
| Sending to the customer | A file that can leak costs | Link and PDF with no costs, accepted online |
| Teamwork | "Who has the latest version?" | Everyone on one version |
| Getting started | Already there | Upload the same spreadsheet |
Price book
Spreadsheet
One per estimator, rarely current
CostBook
One shared copy, changes logged
The BOM
Spreadsheet
Retyped, priced by hand
CostBook
From EPLAN, AutoCAD Electrical or Excel, matched by part number
Forgotten items
Spreadsheet
Caught if someone remembers
CostBook
Must be priced or waived to send
Price changes
Spreadsheet
Open quotes never know
CostBook
Affected quotes flagged, margin before and after
Margin vs markup
Spreadsheet
Easy to mix up in a formula
CostBook
Set per section, math shown
Sending to the customer
Spreadsheet
A file that can leak costs
CostBook
Link and PDF with no costs, accepted online
Teamwork
Spreadsheet
"Who has the latest version?"
CostBook
Everyone on one version
Getting started
Spreadsheet
Already there
CostBook
Upload the same spreadsheet
Start from the sheet you already have.
Make the margin you quote. Starting with the next job.
Bring your spreadsheet or use the sample price book. Your first complete quote can go out today.
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