📋 Requirements
Before creating or editing a Cost Catalog, make sure:
You have the required permissions
Your Cost Codes / Categories are already configured
Access the Cost Catalog
To open the Cost Catalog:
Click the 9-dot grid icon in the upper-right corner
Select Cost Catalog
By default, you will see a preloaded Buildern Catalog that includes standard items you can use in your estimates.
ℹ️ Note - The Buildern Catalog is locked by default. You can use it when creating estimates, but it cannot be edited or deleted.
Create Categories and Subcategories
To organize your catalog:
Click Add New Category
Enter a Category Name
Select a Parent Category to create a subcategory
Click Save
💡 Tip - You can keep multiple Cost Catalogs within your Buildern account. It's recommended to create catalogs tailored to the specific types of projects you plan to undertake.
For instance, you might have one catalog for Roofing and another for Bathroom Renovation.
Reorganize Categories with Drag and Drop
Buildern allows you to easily restructure your Cost Catalog by moving categories and subcategories.
To reorder or move categories:
Locate the category or subcategory you want to move
Click and hold it
Drag it to the desired position or into another category
Drop it to apply the changes
💡 Tip - Use drag and drop to quickly reorganize your catalog structure as your projects evolve.
Methods to Create a Cost Catalog
There are three ways to create a Cost Catalog in Buildern:
Creating one manually within the platform - This method allows you to build your Cost Catalog directly in Buildern by adding items one by one. It is ideal when you want full control over your catalog structure, categories, and pricing.
Generating a Cost Catalog from an Estimate -This option allows you to automatically generate a Cost Catalog using existing estimate items. It helps you quickly convert previously used data into reusable catalog entries, saving time and ensuring consistency across projects.
Importing an existing catalog - This option allows you to upload a pre-existing Cost Catalog into Buildern using supported file formats or integrations. It is especially useful when you already have catalog data prepared in another system or in Excel.
👉 Learn more about How to Import a Cost Catalog in Buildern
Option A: Create Items Manually
If you prefer to build your catalog from scratch, you can add items directly within Buildern.
To create items manually:
Open the Cost Catalog
Select the category where you want to add items
Click Add Item
Choose the item type
After selecting the item type, you will be directed to the item creation page.
Here, fill in the required fields such as:
Name – Enter a clear and descriptive name for the item
Category – Automatically selected based on where you clicked Add Item, but can be changed
Cost Code – Assign a cost code for tracking and reporting
Unit Type – Select the unit (e.g., each, m², hours)
Unit Cost (excl. tax) – Base cost of the item
Tax – Automatically calculated or set based on your configuration
Unit Cost (incl. tax) – Final cost including tax
Markup (%) – Optional markup applied to the cost
Sub/Vendor – Select a supplier or subcontractor
Brand – Specify the brand
SKU Number – Add product identifier
URL – Link to product reference
Description for client – This will be visible in proposals
Internal Note – For internal team use only
Attachments – Upload files or reference documents
Add Labor – Attach labor to this item (automatically creates an assembly)
Visible in the list – Control whether the item appears in the catalog view
Click Save to add the item to your catalog.
You can also add Assemblies. To do this, click Add Item and select Assembly, then define the included cost lines (such as materials and labor) within it.
Option B : Generate Cost Catalog from an Estimate
If you already have an estimate with accurate pricing, you can quickly turn those items into a Cost Catalog.
To do this:
Open the Estimate
Select the items you want to reuse
Click the ➕ (Add to) button
Choose:
An existing catalog/category, or
Create a new one
Click Add
All selected items will be added to your Cost Catalog and can be reused in future projects.
👉 Learn more about How to Create and Add Estimate Items in Buildern
Filter and Search Cost Catalog Items
Buildern provides filtering and search tools to help you quickly find and manage items within your Cost Catalog.
Available Options
Collapse all – Collapses all expanded categories for a cleaner view
Search – Quickly find items by name or keyword
Type – Filter items by cost type (e.g., material, labor, assembly)
Sub/Vendors – Filter items by assigned supplier or subcontractor
Brands – Filter items by product brand
💡 Tip – Use filters together to narrow down results and quickly locate specific items in large catalogs.
On the top right corner of the Cost Catalog table, Buildern provides additional options for managing your view and data.
Available Options
Download – Allows you to export your Cost Catalog items for external use or reporting
Columns (Layout) – Lets you customize which columns are displayed in the table
💡 Tip – Adjust column visibility to focus on the most relevant data when working with large catalogs.
👉Learn more about How to Bulk Edit Cost Catalog Items in Buildern
Building on this, we’ll explore more ways to optimize your process.
Happy Building!