How to Add a Base or Minimum Materials Cost
Learn how to set a base or minimum materials cost on a line item in Bolster so estimates never fall below a set price threshold.
More in Estimating
Estimate basics
- How to Create a New Estimate
- How to Add an Item to an Estimate
- Sending an Estimate in Bolster
- How to Duplicate an Estimate
- Client Notifications & Activity Tracking
- Manually Accepting Proposals
- How to Change the Salesperson on an Individual Job
Working in the estimate
- How to Enable Estimate Sidebar Settings
- How to Toggle Column Visibility
- How to Resize Columns in the Estimate View
Pricing & markup
- How To Price An Item (Labor, Material, or Subcontractor)
- How to Adjust Profit Markup
- Change Profit Margin Per Line Item
- How to Add a Fee-Based Item
- How Discounts Work in Bolster
- Adding tax to estimate pricing
- Custom Labor Rates & Time Tracking
- Adding Detail to Labor Costing of Items
- Creating a Custom Calculation for Items in an Estimate
Minimums & base costs
- Add Labour Minimum or Base Costs
- How to Add a Labour Minimum or Base Cost
- How to Add a Base or Minimum Materials Cost
- How to Add Base and Minimum Materials Cost
Materials & production
- How to Configure Material Options and Pricing
- Material Tab Overview and Process
- Production Tab For Items
- How to Split Labor and Material Items
- How to Add Production Notes and SKU to Line Items
Takeoff tool
- Takeoff Tool Introduction
- Takeoff Tool Introduction
- Adding a Floorplan and Setting Scale
- How to Measure Inside Lengths
- How to Draw Deck Area and Total Joist Length
- Using the Takeoff Tab for Dimension Input
AI estimating
Overview
Use a base materials cost or a minimum materials cost when you need to guarantee a floor price for materials on a line item, such as a minimum callout cost or minimum price for a subcontractor task.
Before You Begin
- Identify the line item where you want to set a base or minimum materials cost.
- Click the cube icon on the item.
- Select Unit Pricing.
- Scroll down to the Materials Options section.
- Click into Add a Base Material Cost or Add a Minimum Materials Cost, depending on which one you need.
- Enter the base materials cost or minimum materials cost value.
Once set, the minimum materials cost will kick in if your estimate's calculated materials cost doesn't reach that threshold, ensuring the price never falls below the amount you entered.
Tips & Best Practices
- Use for Subcontractor Minimums: A minimum materials cost is useful when a subcontractor has a minimum callout or minimum price for a task.
Why This Matters
- Guarantees a floor price on materials so an estimate doesn't undercharge when the calculated cost falls below a known minimum, such as a subcontractor's minimum callout fee.
Summary
To add a base or minimum materials cost, click the cube icon on a line item, open Unit Pricing, scroll to Materials Options, and enter a value under Add a Base Material Cost or Add a Minimum Materials Cost.
Next best guides
- Add Labour Minimum or Base CostsVideoEstimating · Minimums & base costs
- How to Configure Material Options and PricingVideoEstimating · Materials & production
- Custom Labor Rates & Time TrackingVideoEstimating · Pricing & markup
- How To Price An Item (Labor, Material, or Subcontractor)VideoEstimating · Pricing & markup
- How to Add a Fee-Based ItemVideoEstimating · Pricing & markup




