RateBuild 1: The rate library
Part 1 of the RateBuild series. Set up a construction unit rate library in Map Metra RateBuild: trade categories, rate codes, search and organising your estimating rates in one place. Everything shown can also be done by asking the Map Metra connector in Claude or ChatGPT.
How to
- 1
Opening RateBuild
Open RateBuild from the Libraries menu at the top of any tab. The library belongs to your account, so the same rates are ready in every project.
- 2
Categories and codes
Rates are kept in folders, called categories, usually one for each trade. Each category has a short prefix, and its codes are numbered from it, so the plasterboard codes run from zero one to zero seven.
- 3
The columns
The Labour, Material and equipment, and Rate columns are locked, because they are worked out from each rate's breakdown. Total is the quantity times the rate.
- 4
Adding a category
To add a trade, choose Add category, type a name and, if you like, a prefix. Here we add Tiling, with the prefix TILE.
- 5
Adding a code
Choose Add code inside the category. The new code is numbered for you, and its rate breakdown opens.
- 6
Searching
Type in the search box to find a rate. Search looks through folders, codes, descriptions and the resources inside each rate, and every word must match, so moisture ceiling finds just the one code.
- 7
Selecting and arranging
Click a row to select it, Shift click to select a range, and Control or Command click to add single rows. Drag rows to move them, or use Indent and Outdent to place one folder inside another.
- 8
Renaming
To rename a category or a code, select it and press F2. When you rename a code, every estimate line that uses it follows the new code.
- 9
Undo and saving
Undo and Redo, at the top, step back and forward through your changes. Every change saves to your account as you go.