Getting Started
4 guides
How to Save Work in BolsterSave your estimate progress with Save estimate changes, and save items and assemblies to your catalog so you can reuse them.
Video · 1:29→Understanding Line Item Symbols in BolsterA guide to the symbols shown on line items in Bolster, covering cost items, assemblies, fee-based items, photo galleries, text blocks, tasks, and more.
Video · 1:42→How do I use the Import Tool in Bolster?The Import Tool lets you import items, clients, and vendors using a Sheets-style grid. For items, it supports categories, match/update vs. create logic, and highlights what changed so you can review imports quickly and accurately.
→Using Bolton: AI-Powered SearchOpen Bolton from the top right corner to ask how to do things in Bolster or give it a task to complete for you.
Video · 2:36→Company Setup
1 guide
Estimating
34 guides
How to Create a New EstimateStart a new job from your pipeline, assign it to a customer, and choose how to build the estimate.
Video · 1:21→How to Add an Item to an EstimateStep-by-step guide on adding a new line item to an estimate in Bolster, including both ways to add it and how to fill in its pricing details.
Video · 0:42→Sending an Estimate in BolsterReview your estimate and proposal presentation, then send it to your client from the Send proposal window.
Video · 1:23→How to Duplicate an EstimateCopy an existing estimate from the Pending jobs list and create it for the same client or a different one.
Video · 0:36→How to Enable Estimate Sidebar SettingsThis guide shows you how to customize estimate sidebar settings to better present estimates for your customers, helping you create more effective and personalized proposals.
→How to Toggle Column VisibilityLearn how to show or hide columns like quantity or production details in your sheet view estimate using the Toggle Columns settings.
Video · 0:53→How to Resize Columns in the Estimate ViewCustomizing your estimate view by resizing columns can enhance your workflow and improve data visibility.
Video · 0:43→How To Price An Item (Labor, Material, or Subcontractor)Step-by-step guide to pricing a line item in Bolster using labor, material, and subcontractor cost components, including the detailed Unit Pricing tab.
Video · 1:22→How to Adjust Profit MarkupLearn how to adjust profit markup on individual line items, assemblies, or the entire project in Bolster, using either the sheet view or item cube settings.
Video · 0:43→Change Profit Margin Per Line ItemSet a different profit margin on each line item from the Sheet view's Profit % column or from the line item's Unit pricing section.
Video · 0:43→How to Add a Fee-Based ItemA fee-based item allows you to set a cost as a percentage of another value in your project, such as project cost.
Video · 1:37→How Discounts Work in BolsterApply a percentage or dollar discount to a whole estimate from the Job totals panel. Your line item pricing stays the same.
Video · 0:59→Adding tax to estimate pricingSave your tax rates under Settings, then choose a tax rate for each estimate from its job totals.
Video · 1:07→Custom Labor Rates & Time TrackingBolster gives you full control over labor pricing and production time at three levels: Company-wide custom labor rates, item-level Labour Options in an estimate, and project-wide labor review in the Budget tab
Video · 0:55→Adding Detail to Labor Costing of ItemsAdding detailed labor costs can improve the accuracy of your quotations and project estimates.
Video→Creating a Custom Calculation for Items in an EstimateLink a line item's quantity to a dimension such as interior wall area, then add your own calculation in the quantity formula.
Video · 0:44→Add Labour Minimum or Base CostsAdd a base or minimum labor cost to a line item so it always covers your minimum labor charge.
Video · 0:44→How to Add a Labour Minimum or Base CostSet a base or minimum labour cost for a line item so it holds even if the estimate doesn't meet a certain threshold.
Video · 0:44→How to Add a Base or Minimum Materials CostLearn how to set a base or minimum materials cost on a line item in Bolster so estimates never fall below a set price threshold.
Video · 0:57→How to Add Base and Minimum Materials CostAdd a base or minimum materials cost to a line item to cover setup charges and minimum prices.
Video · 0:57→How to Configure Material Options and PricingConfigure material options such as supplier, wastage percentage, and item price to refine a line item's materials cost and ordering accuracy.
Video · 1:01→Material Tab Overview and ProcessUse the Materials view in Budget to review every material in your estimate, create vendor orders, and export your materials list.
Video · 2:18→Production Tab For ItemsThe Production Tab lets you manage production details for individual items and access an estimate's project management tools like scheduling, tasks, budget, and payments.
Video · 0:35→How to Split Labor and Material ItemsSplit an item with both labor and material costs into two lines so you can send each part to a different vendor or subcontractor.
Video · 2:37→How to Add Production Notes and SKU to Line ItemsLearn how to add a SKU number and internal production notes to any line item in Bolster, then save the changes to your catalog.
Video · 0:50→Takeoff Tool IntroductionAdd a template to your estimate, draw your measurements in the Takeoff tool, and let the template calculate quantities and pricing.
Video · 4:29→Takeoff Tool IntroductionLearn how to measure an area in the Bolster Takeoff tool by drawing a shape on the canvas, using the deck area in the Deck template as an example.
Video · 4:29→Adding a Floorplan and Setting ScaleUpload a floor plan or drawing to Takeoff and scale it from one known measurement so your drawings measure accurately.
Video · 1:48→How to Measure Inside LengthsThis guide provides a straightforward method for accurately measuring inside lengths, in this example we are measuring the length of kitchen cabinet.
Video · 0:40→How to Draw Deck Area and Total Joist LengthThis guide provides a straightforward method for accurately calculating deck area and total joist length.
Video · 1:35→Using the Takeoff Tab for Dimension InputManually enter site measurements in the Takeoff tab and have them carried into your estimate through linked dimensions.
Video · 1:10→How to Use AI Autofill for Estimate ItemsLearn how to add a line item and let Auto-complete fill in its description, material cost and labor cost.
Video · 1:11→How to Add AI Upgrades to Line ItemsBolster's AI upgrade feature automatically generates alternative product or material selections for any standard line item in a proposal. In seconds, AI surfaces upgrade and downgrade options
Video · 2:04→How to Generate Specific AI Upgrade SelectionsLet Bolster's AI pick upgrades for a line item, or choose from the upgrade options it suggests.
Video · 1:06→Items, Assemblies & Catalog
24 guides
How To Add An Item From The AutoCost LibraryStep-by-step walkthrough for adding items from the AutoCost library into your Bolster proposals, pulling current material pricing based on your location.
Video · 0:55→How To Change Quantity (Qty) or Unit Of Measure (UoM) for an ItemThis process allows you to change the quantity or unit of measure to customize how items are quantified and priced, ensuring accuracy in your project estimates.
Video · 0:41→How to Add a Text Block ItemLearn how to add a no-cost text block item to your estimate in Bolster to outline a solution or add notes for your client.
Video · 0:42→How to Add an Image Gallery ItemLearn how to add an image gallery item to your estimate in Bolster to showcase similar projects or your best work to clients.
Video · 0:50→How to Duplicate an Item or AssemblyLearn how to duplicate a line item or assembly in Bolster using the 6-dots action menu to quickly reuse existing components in your estimates.
Video · 0:35→How to Delete Line Items in EstimatesLearn how to use Safe Delete to check item usage in your catalog, plus how to delete single or multiple line items directly from an estimate.
Video · 0:48→How to Add Pictures and Descriptions to Line ItemsLearn how to add pictures and descriptions to individual line items and assemblies in Bolster estimates and proposals, including using the AI image generator.
Video · 1:03→How to Add Descriptions for Assemblies and Items in an EstimateLearn how to add detailed descriptions to line items and assemblies in an estimate so clients know exactly what they're purchasing.
Video · 1:08→How to Create an Assembly or TemplateThis guide walks you through creating an assembly or template from scratch, adding sub-assemblies, and deleting items or assemblies, so your quotes stay structured and easy to manage.
Video · 0:57→How to Import a Global Assembly into a ProposalLearn how to add items and assemblies from Bolster's global library, including the Bolster Legacy Catalog, directly into your proposal.
Video · 0:47→Editing a Global Assembly or Template in a ProposalBring a global AutoCost template into an estimate, save it to your catalog, and customize it so it is ready to use every time.
Video · 9:18→How to Move Line Items in AssembliesLearn how to move line items within an assembly, or move them into and out of an assembly, to keep your Bolster estimate organized.
Video · 0:58→How to Save Line Items to Your CatalogueLearn how to save line items to your Bolster catalogue quickly, or organize them into categories using the Production panel for easier searching later.
Video · 1:09→How to Save an Assembly to Your CatalogueLearn how to save an assembly to your Bolster catalogue using either the quick save option or the organized Production workflow with categories.
Video · 0:55→How to Save Items to Catalog CategoriesLearn how to choose or create a category when saving pre-built items to your Bolster catalog for future use.
Video · 1:00→How To Change Category For An ItemSet the catalog category for an item from its Production settings so your saved items stay organized.
Video · 1:00→How to Change the Category on an AssemblyLearn how to change the category of an assembly in Bolster's Production settings to keep your catalogue organized and easy to navigate.
Video · 0:48→How to Set Construction StagesConstruction stages and item types help manage project scheduling and payments. Learn how to check or change the construction stage assigned to an item.
Video · 1:07→Importing Entry Level Assemblies (legacy catalog)Search the Bolster legacy catalog for Level 1 assemblies and add one to your estimate as a simple template to build on.
Video · 1:53→How to Use Dimension Boxes in EstimatesLearn how to use dimension boxes in Bolster to link line item quantities to dimensions, interlocking them with your Takeoff tab and other line items.
Video · 1:14→How to Use Linked Dimensions in EstimatesLearn how to use linked dimensions in Bolster estimates to share one measurement across multiple line items and connect them to your takeoff tab.
Video · 1:14→How to Use Calculated Dimensions in Line ItemsLearn how to link a line item's quantity to a calculated dimension, such as Interior Wall Area, using the cube icon and Quantity settings in Bolster.
Video · 0:44→How to Create a Custom Dimension in a Line ItemCustom dimensions in Bolster let you tailor measurements to your project needs. This guide covers creating a custom dimension from the Item Library and from a line item.
Video · 1:00→How to Add a Custom Quantity Formula to a Line ItemLearn how to add a custom quantity formula to a line item, working alongside linked dimensions to calculate the exact quantity or dimension needed.
Video · 0:48→Proposals & Client Experience
10 guides
How to Make Items OptionalLearn how to mark a line item as optional in Bolster, choose between customer-approved, optional, or internal optional types, and set default inclusion to give clients more flexibility.
Video · 0:49→How to Make Assemblies OptionalThis article explains how to set assemblies as optional within a construction estimate, including how to control visibility and default inclusion, so estimators can provide clients with flexible proposals.
Video · 0:40→How to Add Upgrades to AssembliesThis article explains how to add upgrades to individual line items with the Simple List upgrade tool, including automatic and suggested options, and how to apply tags for clarity.
Video · 1:40→How to Add Line Item UpgradesLearn how to add upgrade options to an individual line item using the simple list (upgrade) tool.
Video · 1:40→Building a Selector Tool (or Variation Options) with pricingCreate a selection with variation options, such as flooring material and price level, so your client can choose and price their own option in the proposal.
Video · 9:32→Using the Selections tabSee every selection in your estimate in one place, and pre-select, lock, make optional, edit or reprice them.
Video · 1:05→How to Let Buyers Set Their Own Quantity or DimensionLearn how to let buyers set their own quantity or dimension for a line item on their quote, so they can adjust their budget without an on-site measurement.
Video · 0:54→How to Add a Custom Input or Question to a Proposal or TemplateLearn how to add a custom question or input field to a line item in a Bolster proposal or template so clients can type their own response.
Video · 0:52→How to Add Pre-Built Paint Fandexes to a Line ItemLearn how to attach the built-in Benjamin Moore and Sherwin-Williams paint Fandexes to a line item so clients can search and select a color directly in their proposal.
Video · 0:59→Hiding Items/Assemblies From Client/PreviewUse the proposal presentation to check what your client sees and hide items or assemblies you don't want shown.
Video · 1:29→Project Management
2 guides
How to View and Revert Change Order VersionsUse the Change orders page in an estimate to see intermediate saved versions of your quote, review their changes, and revert to one.
Video · 0:49→How to Add a Task Item to an EstimateLearn how to add a task item to your estimate in Bolster to track action items like permits or material orders and assign them to contractors or vendors.
Video · 0:37→Vendors & Purchasing
2 guides
Integrations
3 guides
Bolster - Hover Integration GuideThe integration enables seamless transfer of measurement data from Hover into Bolster, allowing automatic generation of cost estimates including materials and labor based on area, length, volume, and more.
Video→Using the Hover IntegrationBolster’s Hover integration enables contractors to incorporate accurate measurements and property photos directly into estimates. This ensures reliable pricing and enhances project transparency.
Video · 5:03→ABC Supply Integration for AutoCostConnect your myABCSupply account in Bolster Settings to use ABC Supply's catalog in your proposals.
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