--- title: How to Set Timesheet Default Cost Code for Each User description: Managing timesheets helps keep budgeting and payroll accurate. Buildern lets you assign default cost codes to users for timesheet entries. In this article, you’ll learn how to set these values for accurate timesheet and budget calculations. --- [Skip to content](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/13774059-how-to-set-timesheet-default-cost-code-for-each-user#main-content) ![logo\_icon\_text](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Buildern%20logo.svg) - [My Account](https://app.buildern.com/signin) Open main navigation Close main navigation - [My Account](https://app.buildern.com/signin) - [Get Started Free](https://app.buildern.com/signup) [Get Started Free](https://app.buildern.com/signup) Welcome to Buildern Help Center! - There are no suggestions because the search field is empty. 1. [Buildern Help Center](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles?hsLang=en-gb) 2. [Timesheets](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/timesheets?hsLang=en-gb) # How to Set Timesheet Default Cost Code for Each User ### How to Set Timesheet Default Cost Code for Each User Managing timesheets helps keep budgeting and payroll accurate. Buildern lets you assign default cost codes to users for timesheet entries. In this article, you’ll learn how to set these values for accurate timesheet and budget calculations. June 3, 2026 ### **Step 1: Configure Cost Codes for Timesheets** Before assigning a default cost code to a user, you may want to control which cost codes are available in timesheets. 1. Navigate to **9-dot icon** from the main menu. 2. Select **Cost Codes**. ​ [![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/Screenshot+2026-03-11+at+14_07_25.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2150906260/5c293d1872ea0084141e361c8edf/Screenshot+2026-03-11+at+14_07_25.png?expires=1792671300&signature=31269b0201884081259734736b1c6540258e784c043f1bbd7779a151e09dc837&req=diEiFsB%2Bm4NZWfMW1HO4zW1oSyGoYBGrsFNkRB3KtvA%2BMDEY4wW%2F5OyP8pSO%0AcDC2UweZf5%2F4s46DN6U%3D%0A) 3\. Review the list of available cost codes. 4\. Select one or multiple cost codes. 5\. Choose whether to **show or hide them in timesheets**. [![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/Screenshot+2026-03-11+at+14_08_28.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2150910082/a1d7f494e2bfb1af2e6cb405f49d/Screenshot+2026-03-11+at+14_08_28.png?expires=1792671300&signature=e12f33d775533fe0a1515c3825b9fcb4b8ff1546f63f506a724854e648f45bc6&req=diEiFsB%2FnYFXW%2FMW1HO4zY9V9IltNH2Tz0%2BHsOukKTBTMIbnuLN9iSWncCOH%0A0hK2nPTj9B%2FZuVScNX8%3D%0A) This helps ensure that only relevant cost codes are available when creating timesheet entries. ​*👉 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)* ### **Step 2: Assign a Default Cost Code to a User** Once your cost codes are configured, you can assign a default cost code to each team member. 1\. Navigate to Contacts from the main menu. 2\. Select Users. 3\. Choose the user you want to configure. ​ ​ [![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/Screenshot+2026-03-11+at+14_09_36.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2150912727/2eff3be0cd495e9fe06bb6f89c89/Screenshot+2026-03-11+at+14_09_36.png?expires=1792671300&signature=80360ad1f50da2f0c394411e3040db6c22756828b0128f4f89e5b53480af56c0&req=diEiFsB%2Fn4ZdXvMW1HO4zYhx1OnRP9r2K7u99OTYjuo2EpTG4o4uMA7PHgCT%0AqrynziT5KwguH0mux8E%3D%0A) ​ 1. Open the user settings and locate the Timesheet Settings section. 2. Select a Default Cost Code from the dropdown menu.   [![](https://help.buildern.com/hubfs/Knowledge%20Base%20Import/b7573fc3-38b6-45a4-83df-656e9a3a70e9.png)](https://downloads.intercomcdn.com/i/o/suco1tn6/2150893342/7939ac6d038bae8e59bb6df0e78b/b7573fc3-38b6-45a4-83df-656e9a3a70e9?expires=1792671300&signature=edd5ccaea6f08e7a3444ff31c05ee2d84f36d7d2e5d8f0124b183775923b2c09&req=diEiFsF3noJbW%2FMW1HO4zRglQJ6X7yCnnOzhPdqLKXLMVycDVAzzreaNkYdv%0ACfTtRS1QUw8KX7Srrnk%3D%0A) After setting this, the selected cost code will automatically appear whenever that user creates a timesheet entry. This reduces the need for manual selection and ensures that work hours are categorized correctly. ***ℹ️ Note-*** *Assigning default cost codes helps ensure that timesheets are categorized correctly and reduces the chance of incorrect cost allocation.* ### **Step 3: Set the User’s Hourly Cost** You can also define the Hourly Cost for each user in the same settings section. The **Hourly Cost** represents the internal labor cost for your company and is used in budget calculations. When timesheets are approved, Buildern uses this value to calculate **actual labor costs** in the project budget. ***ℹ️ Note****- If the **Hourly Cost** field is left empty, Buildern will automatically use the company default rate when calculating costs in the budget.* *👉 Learn more about [How to Work with Timesheet Hourly Cost and Hourly Price](https://help.buildern.com/en/articles/13774056-how-to-work-with-timesheet-hourly-cost-and-hourly-price?hsLang=en-gb)* In the upcoming articles, we’ll dive into more Buildern tools and features to help you get even more out of the platform. 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