Skip to main content

Understanding Estimating Modes

Readybuild supports three different approaches to building estimates. Your company administrator selects which mode your organization uses based on your business needs.

Assembly Mode​

Best for: Companies with standardized products, packages, or service offerings.

In Assembly Mode, you build estimates by selecting pre-configured packages called assemblies. Each assembly contains all the materials, labor, and components needed for a specific scope of work.

How It Works​

  1. Open the Add Assembly panel
  2. Search or browse for the assembly you need
  3. Select an entry type (Install, Demo, etc.)
  4. Choose an option if available (Low/Mid/High)
  5. Enter the quantity
  6. The assembly and all its components are added to your estimate

What You See​

  • Add Assembly button in the estimate toolbar
  • Assembly panel slides in from the right side
  • Assemblies display as single rows that can be expanded to see components

Benefits​

  • Fast estimate creation
  • Consistent pricing across estimates
  • Pre-configured packages reduce errors
  • Easy for new estimators to learn

Detailed Estimating​

Best for: Custom work, unique projects, or companies that need granular control over every line.

In Detailed Estimating mode, you build estimates by adding individual components one at a time. This gives you complete control over every field in your estimate.

note

Components are the building blocks of all estimates. Even assemblies are built from components—they're just pre-configured packages. Detailed Estimating simply means you add components directly rather than through assemblies.

How It Works​

  1. Use the Quick Add Row at the bottom of each category
  2. Search the component database or enter a custom component
  3. Set the unit, cost, quantity, and other fields
  4. Components are added directly to your estimate

What You See​

  • Quick Add Row appears at the bottom of each category section
  • Components display as editable spreadsheet-style rows
  • All fields can be edited inline by clicking on them

Benefits​

  • Maximum flexibility and control
  • Build completely custom estimates
  • Edit any field at any time
  • Familiar spreadsheet-like experience

Hybrid Mode​

Best for: Companies that have standard offerings but also do custom work.

Hybrid Mode gives you Assembly Estimating and Detailed Estimating in the same estimate. Use assemblies for common work and add individual components as needed.

How It Works​

  • Use Add Assembly for standard packages (kitchens, bathrooms, etc.)
  • Use Quick Add Row for custom components or one-off additions
  • Mix both approaches in the same estimate

What You See​

  • Both Add Assembly button and Quick Add Row are available
  • Assembly entries and individual component entries can exist side by side
  • Each displays according to its type (collapsed assembly vs editable row)

Benefits​

  • Best of both worlds
  • Use assemblies for speed on standard work
  • Use Detailed Estimating for unique requirements
  • Flexible approach for varied project types

Which Mode Do I Have?​

Your estimating mode is set by your company administrator. If you're not sure which mode you're using, look at the estimate screen:

You SeeYour Mode
Only "Add Assembly" buttonAssembly Mode
Only Quick Add Row at bottom of categoriesDetailed Estimating
Both "Add Assembly" and Quick Add RowHybrid Mode

If you need a different mode for your work, contact your Readybuild administrator.

Next Steps​