What is the Parts Catalog?
The Parts Catalog in your estimating software is a database of parts you can use throughout your takeoff experience. It's crucial to understand that the Parts Catalog and the Templates Library are not interconnected. Updating a part in the Parts Catalog will not automatically update it in the Templates Library. This separation allows for flexible management of parts and assemblies.
How to Use the Parts Catalog
Adding Parts to Assemblies:
You can pull parts from the Parts Catalog into your Templates Library's assemblies. To add a part to an assembly from the parts catalog:
Step 1: Navigate to your Templates Library and choose the desired assembly.
Step 2: Click on the black plus button, then select "Add Part."
Step 3: Choose the part type. This step is crucial because you'll only see results related to the selected parent part type when you proceed to type the part name in Step 4.
Step 4: Start typing the part name, and the system will automatically suggest matching parts from the Parts Catalog.
On-the-Fly Part Addition:
While measuring a plan, you can add parts from the Parts Catalog directly into an existing assembly. This allows for real-time adjustments to your assembly without needing to build every possible option in advance.
Step 1: Apply an assembly to the plan
Step 2: Select "Add Part" in the bottom left
Step 3: Choose the part type. This step is crucial because you'll only see results related to the selected parent part type when you proceed to type the part name in Step 4.
Step 4: Start typing the part name, and the system will automatically suggest matching parts from the Parts Catalog.
Replacing Part Costs:
The Parts Catalog allows you to replace the cost of parts in an assembly with parts from the catalog. This is particularly useful for trades that work with multiple product variations. For instance, you can swap out the default price of a paint part in an assembly with the price of a specific paint from the catalog.
Step 1: Apply an assembly to the plan
Step 2: Select edit on you part
Step 3: Start typing the part name, and the system will automatically suggest matching parts from the Parts Catalog.
Step 4: Select "Save and close"
Step 5: Review the part cost and markup. Notice the cost and markup is update to the parts catalog item you replaced.
Creating Your Own Parts Catalog:
You can create custom catalogs by duplicating parts from the Square Takeoff Parts Database into your own catalog.
Step 1: Select "Add New Catalog," and choose the catalog type, a
Step 2: Click and drag and of the existing parts within the Square Takeoff Parts Database OR add your own by selecting the "black plus button" and select "add new part"
Step 3: Don't forget, if you are creating parts from scratch, you may need to build formulas for these parts. To learn more about building formulas please review the article Fundamentals of Formulas
Common Questions
Why doesn’t the Parts Catalog update my Templates Library?
The Parts Catalog and Templates Library are separate to allow more control and flexibility. Updating a part in one does not affect the other. Meaning if you update the cost of a part in the parts catalog, it will not change the cost throughout the templates library and vice versa.
Can I add new parts to the Templates Library without creating them in the Parts Catalog?
Yes, you can add parts directly into the templates library. In fact, this is the best way to get started! You do not need to create a parts catalog to create assemblies.