---
title: How to Import CSI and NAHB Cost Codes in Buildern
description: Standardized cost codes help you organize project costs, track expenses, and maintain consistency across your workflows. Buildern imports two cost code systems via templates. In this guide, you will learn how to import and customize both.
---

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1. [Buildern Help Center](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles?hsLang=en-gb)
2. [Cost Codes](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/cost-codes?hsLang=en-gb)
3. [Importing Cost codes](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/cost-codes?hsLang=en-gb#importing-cost-codes)

# How to Import CSI and NAHB Cost Codes in Buildern

### How to Import CSI and NAHB Cost Codes in Buildern

Standardized cost codes help you organize project costs, track expenses, and maintain consistency across your workflows. Buildern imports two cost code systems via templates. In this guide, you will learn how to import and customize both.

 June 3, 2026

### **📋 Requirements**

Before importing cost codes, make sure that:

- You have the required permissions to manage cost codes
- You have access to the **Cost Codes** section in your account

*👉 Learn more about [What Are Cost Codes and How to Use Them in Buildern](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/15232067-what-are-cost-codes-and-how-to-use-them-in-buildern?hsLang=en-gb)*

### **CSI vs NAHB Cost Codes**

Before importing, it’s important to understand which system fits your projects best.

- **Construction Specifications Institute (CSI)** Cost Codes – Best for **commercial and large-scale projects**.  
  They follow a detailed division structure (e.g., concrete, mechanical, finishes) and allow for granular cost tracking.
- **National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)** Cost Codes – Best for **residential construction**.  
  They are simpler and aligned with home-building workflows.

### **Import Cost Codes**

Buildern provides a preloaded lists of cost codes that you can import directly into your account.  
​

#### **To import cost codes:**

1. Navigate to **Cost Codes** from your account settings
2. Click the **Import** button in the upper-right corner
3. Select the option to import from the **NAHB or CSI list**
4. Confirm the import

[![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/aef423f8-2461-4692-9da8-3bba5f94f09b.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2273592602/80b2a02500ae4a21a21832860f7e/aef423f8-2461-4692-9da8-3bba5f94f09b?expires=1792671300&signature=3029a6cfb25d89fb314bc0e3aa311d87afa6e6d45ce657fd9f7e67a61ec71382&req=diIgFcx3n4dfW%2FMW1HO4zY6%2FZkF7lTvyQyV6UM%2FT0HwfomFO1v3hWJQlFMRZ%0AfMoED5qDVJReVavhJNI%3D%0A)

​

[![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/515bdb52-fdac-4c7b-b726-a3d024c9ea54.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2273592603/c126cba9f79fcc26b00d5bd4112e/515bdb52-fdac-4c7b-b726-a3d024c9ea54?expires=1792671300&signature=404533111e491ef4c0d0d52321f7db8ba9408bad6c857c5fc6d0da22b8cd8088&req=diIgFcx3n4dfWvMW1HO4zbvUr%2FrtUmO5RqF%2BpmCb%2BL5OL1ToQjfE3L5WV265%0ASDbrdcre0pSD5q5UqLU%3D%0A)

After choosing to import from the needed list, Buildern takes you to a dedicated screen where all available cost code categories are neatly organized and ready for selection.

You will see a structured list of major cost code groups, each representing a different phase of construction.

[![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/0924c412-f73d-4e9c-8b00-79cc91e96681.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2273592598/2abb812840bb1a4e93baad414228/0924c412-f73d-4e9c-8b00-79cc91e96681?expires=1792671300&signature=b3e68427acc23ed382b858582f45364932087c1edd7283ea486aa111f55c3d42&req=diIgFcx3n4RWUfMW1HO4zfOoN1MK80cxbDWMzHA%2BMboA69DxPN26A97Xup5f%0AJpMbAkRmWIyfJF3OgZ4%3D%0A)

Each category can be expanded to review the detailed cost codes inside, giving you full visibility into what will be imported.

[![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/0e0d1b2c-7bc7-4291-a026-e08091533912.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2273592599/f4b29098b3375cce196d62f11949/0e0d1b2c-7bc7-4291-a026-e08091533912?expires=1792671300&signature=26049c2d14b9f0a82b025a68318520721aa16699cb0dccdc6552a363e883dfc2&req=diIgFcx3n4RWUPMW1HO4zdKco%2Bl6PHQSBmqR%2B6XRdLKZCpDHph6XXxb0dnxd%0A%2B6chvwt6ML31jOeb7Ps%3D%0A)

### **Complete the Import**

Once you review the categories click the **Import** button in the bottom-right corner. Buildern will then automatically add the selected cost codes to your account.

[![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/be12c0e5-b222-4680-b0e0-b9142b2d5e85.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2273592600/4448a72b638959d581f47d54800a/be12c0e5-b222-4680-b0e0-b9142b2d5e85?expires=1792671300&signature=1098dde38c3284e55aeee6ca3417c6e0bf609331202374b66f1e5e2b538ec5b0&req=diIgFcx3n4dfWfMW1HO4zRyaZ%2FH2BvCmsmIbzlIo4JLqTpdRiOSx4PxxEOZP%0A250v6VHanR2SNIE%2FP%2BQ%3D%0A)

***💡 Tip -*** *If you're just getting started, it's recommended to import the full NAHB or CSI structure. You can always refine, rename, or reorganize the codes later based on your workflow.*

### **Customize Imported Cost Codes**

Once the NAHB cost codes are imported, your setup is not final yet - this is where you adapt the structure to match your workflow.

Buildern allows you to review and adjust each cost code, so it aligns with your internal naming conventions and project structure.  
​

#### **To edit a cost category:**

1. Locate the category you want to update
2. Click the **three-dot menu (⋯)** on the right side of the category row
3. Select **Edit**

[![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/1ac0dd87-88d7-4c39-9419-80599991ff03.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2273592604/addf4227a2072d154a364519e0cc/1ac0dd87-88d7-4c39-9419-80599991ff03?expires=1792671300&signature=1d539fd4b7971490ae57528ef4ecca33ed76030d002359b95ab780c47de5d505&req=diIgFcx3n4dfXfMW1HO4zdemydFahavFT3Y9M1HJuQ0IXFe6kKw5Ao3JQxhK%0AJRslM90xU6N5Q5W7EpA%3D%0A)

After clicking **Edit**, a configuration window will appear where you can modify the category details.

Here, you can update:

- **Title** - Rename the category
- **Parent category** - Assign it under another category (or keep it as top-level)
- **Code** - Adjust the code range (e.g., 1000–1999)

​

[![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/c3dd2133-c5d9-4360-a9cf-d0e2b6de21ea.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2273592601/eda473978d0aecf1a07bd19b7721/c3dd2133-c5d9-4360-a9cf-d0e2b6de21ea?expires=1792671300&signature=da01469378916b6547fc2c4b8578bf841e1dbb24fc6b24b5c1a1e8ac14a9eaa3&req=diIgFcx3n4dfWPMW1HO4zTGJF4NWvhYSJqPee3L%2BMJ5y5B%2BHiCGB5wwFRIip%0AqPfMNXEnTNBDzkmCCyk%3D%0A)

Once your changes are complete click **Save Changes** to apply updates   
​

***ℹ️ Note -*** *Make sure to save your changes before moving to another category. Any updates will be reflected across your estimates and reports.*

In the next article, we’ll break down another key part of the Buildern platform.  
​  
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