Aloha Tatiana...There certainly is a LOT to learn in Sage 100 Contractor; have you checked out the many classes offered through Sage University that could help you with the questions that you have?

Kathy Gotzenberg

Sage 100 Contractor Certified Consultant

Well, I looked over Sage university, but it is not something my company is willing to reimburse.

It seems like that is the answer I keep getting, to pay for classes, and it just seems to me like Sage 100 should have a complimentary session or overview video on how the program works.I have called support, the chat, email my rep and not this blog and i keep getting told to spend more $ to learn how to use this software program.

Not helpful to me right now, since we have purchased support and have paid for the program.

Hi Tatiana,

Sage 100 Contractor does require some training to get up to speed - as it has many many capabilities to support the accounting and job cost needs of a small to mid-sized construction business. We do have a couple of great, affordable training options on Sage University. One includes recorded training only (Essentials) and the other (Getting Started) includes recorded training plus 5 live, online classes of your choice.

Based on the specificity of your questions, it sounds like you need more coverage than a basic overview. It's good to see you digging in - we just need to get you the training you need to support you through that process. I would like to talk with you about your options if you can contact me via email at [email protected]. Hope to talk with you soon.

Hi Tatiana,

For now, if you have the Estimating module, you can start with a Takeoff.  That will allow you to export to just about anything you need, budget, proposal, etc., including any profit that the client won't see.  I recommend you go to Help, About this window to learn more about each screen which may help in the meantime.

Catherine

Sr Analyst

Hi Tatiana,

Q: "If a client walks in wanting a price to built a job we do a budget or takeoff on sage?"

A: Very Generally, Takeoffs are the source for Budgets and Proposals.   Jobs are Created separately and then Takeoffs are assigned to Jobs.   Pricing a job always starts in a Takeoff.  Proposals carry with them the global markup, budgets don't.

Q: "What ever it is how do we let Sage know our profit WITHOUT letting the customer know? So, if I print the takeoff or budget or proposal how do I enter our fee without letting the customer know? I just want the customer to know the total #."

A: The answer to this question is dichotomous, depending on if you are Progress Billing or T&M Billing.  However, generally you would first "Apply your Markup Extended Price" in the Bid Summary of the Takeoff - which is a global markup.   Then export your Takeoff to a Proposal.  In the process of creating a Proposal your Markup will be automatically calculated into the totals by Cost Code or Bid Item (only two options).   You can then print the proposal and your Markup is rolled up into the Totals. (Some Formatting will prob. be necessary)

Q: "Then, how do i convert that estimate to an actual job budget? with a schedule of values?"

A: Export your Takeoff to a Budget. Progress Billings Schedule of Values will read from either the Budget or the Proposal, Whichever you import in to the Progress Billing.   If you Import the Proposal, the Schedule of Values will include the Markup.  If you Import the Budget, the SoV will NOT include the global markup.

I can relate to your frustration in understanding how the modules interact with each other.   We have spend a lot of time both in Sage University &  "learning by doing" with S100.   The various different help sources (ie Sage U, the Community, and Sage Help) will have most of the answers you need, but it requires reading and digging.  

Additionally, I have found the live Sage help to be very good for technical questions.  However, sometimes because the variety of different businesses using the software,  the questions on the estimating/ job-costing concepts behind the technology is overlooked in the standard responses to FAQ's.  You may need to find a consultant who is familiar with your industry to help get you through this transition period.    

Like you, we use S100 + Estimating, and I may be of service as a last resort in getting assistance with your questions in adapting Sage to your biz.  We have found a method for accounting for "Hidden Markup," and we do both T&M and Progress Billings with Schedule of Values as a deliverable for our clients.  Feel free to call or email me during the week if I may be of assistance.