An Introduction to Masterbill Elite BQ Production

Lesson 1 - First Steps i) Logging In

Each user needs their own User ID and Password to Login to Masterbill Elite. If you have already been assigned a User ID and Password then record it here for your records, if not why not record your preferred User ID and Password here.

Tip Unless you will be working on top secret projects it is advisable to keep your User ID and Password short to make it easy to remember and quick to enter the system.

ii) Introducing the Project Manager

Masterbill Elite organises all data into two main categories:-

� Divisions � Projects

User ID Password

Category Definition Divisions

Projects

iii) Creating a New Division

Once your trainer has demonstrated how, Create a New Division on your system entitled ‘Training’ [Note: If you are training on a networked system then this need only be done by one user for all users to benefit.]

- 1 -

Lesson 2 - Creating a New Project i) Project Properties Masterbill Elite enables the user to store full details of a project in the system for either future reference purposes or future adjustment of relevant quantities and/or costs. Your Trainer will show you how to create a New Project and access the Project Properties page, they will then explain what these properties are for and how they are used.

Make your own notes here.

When instructed create your own New Project and entitle it “St. Albans Primary – Phase x” (where x is the letter of your terminal/group). Complete the project details as you see fit and select the Training SMM7 Library. Note: You must ALWAYS select a Project Printer otherwise the system will not be able to calculate what can be fitted on a page.

- 2 -

iii) Selecting a Library

iv) The Library Model

Masterbill EliteMaster

Libraries

SMM7

CESMM3

Project 1 Dims

Project 2 Dims

Project 1 BQs

Project 2 BQs

Proj. 1 Tenders

1 2 3

4 5 6

Proj. 2 Tenders

1 2 3

4 5 6

Matching Prices

TPI TPI or %or %

Project 1 Project 2 Project 3Rogue 1Rogue 2Rogue 3Rogue 4

� � ��

� �� �

-----#-, 0-9, A-Z, a-z = 64

=644= 16,777,216

Your trainer will explain how this model works in practice.

- 3 -

v) The Project Structure Masterbill Elite incorporates what we know as “Full Sortation” facilities. This means that the measurements that we enter may be sorted into any specified sequence without the need for re-entry and/or re-coding. In order to make use of these facilities and not just the ability to sort into SMM order then we need to define a structure into which we are going to measure. Masterbill Elite’s Project Structure consists of:

� User � Parts � Elements � Cost Codes � Phrases

Your trainer will provide you with definitions and examples of each of these. Use the table below to make your own notes. Category Definition Parts

Elements

User

Phrases

Cost Codes

Your trainer will demonstrate how to enter the Project Structure by direct entry and making use of the template lists, they will even show you how to create your own templates for future use. Enter the project you created by double-clicking on the project title. The Project Structure is set up by editing the Project Control Lists, these can be accessed by clicking on the

button.

- 4 -

Make use of the Training Parts template and then add the following part into the Parts List.

Code Description 7 External Works

Make use of the BCIS Elements template to populate the Elements List. Select which users are authorised to measure on this project. Make use of the Training Phrases template and add the following Phrase into the list.

Code Description P ; PROVISIONAL

Enter the following Cost Codes into the Primary Cost Codes List

Code Description M Maintenance Budget I Improvement Budget PR Private Funding

Save the Project Structure by clicking on the button. Once a Project Structure has been set up by the Project Surveyor, all surveyors measure within this structure. Note: The Project Structure can be changed at any time but users should be aware that deleting/changing the structure may cause any items already measured against those items deleted/changed to be lost. It is advisable to check with the Project Surveyor prior to making any changes to the Project Structue.

- 5 -

Lesson 3 - Basic Measurement i) Screen Layout Your trainer will explain the various areas of the main measurement screen. Fill in the boxes so that you have a record in your own words.

Description Area

Dimsheet Counter

Library Indicator Box

Save & Amend Buttons

Dim Label

Calculations, Library, Dynamic Dims selection

buttons Project Structure Area

Project Manager

Library Window

Task List

ii) Your first Dimsheets Your trainer will use the dimensions included on the following pages to demonstrate how to make use of all the features required to carry out the basic measurement tasks. Your trainer will demonstrate how to enter each dimension and then provide you with the opportunity to enter the same dimension into your system. Note: The following Dimsheets are all entitled ‘Building A’ please ensure you select the Building designated to your group/terminal.

- 6 -

Building A, Sitework

Removing trees; filling voids

with selected exc. material

girth 0.60 - 1.50m Nr

(D20/1/1/1)

2.00 Front

2/ 3.00 Back

8.00

Clearing Site Vegetation, bushes,

etc. (PROVISIONAL) m2

(D20/1/2/1)

5.00

6.00

30.00

Excavating topsoil for

preservation, av. 150 deep m2

(D20/2/1/1)

21.00 E-W

10.50 N-S

220.50

& Compacting m2

(D20/2/81/2)

Excavating, by hand, to reduce

levels, max. depth 1.00m

(D20/?/2/1) m3

2.00

4.00

0.75

6.00

- 7 -

Building A, Sitework

Clearing Site Vegetation, bushes,

etc. m2

(D20/1/2/1)

10.00 Area A

5.20

2/ 3.00 Area B

4.00

3/2/ 5.10

4.20 * 2.10

9.80 * 2/1.60

1.30 4.50

Ddt 9.80

6.00 Pond 1

2.00

3.00 Pond 2

1.00

Add

2/�/ 3.10

3.10

262.65

x 2

525.30

& Excavating topsoil for

preservation, av. 150 deep m2

(D20/2/1/1)

Ddt

4.60

2.70

3.20

4.10

499.76

- 8 -

iii) Basic Measurement facilities During the measurements you have undertaken so far you should have used the following facilities:

� Selecting Library Descriptions � Entering Calculations � Using a Phrase � Entering a Variable � Using Dynamic Links / ‘Anding On’ � Entering a Rogue Item in the Library � Timesings (F3) � Sidecasts (F4) � Signposting � Deductions � Constants List � Sub Total � Reusing part/all of a previous Dimsheet

Lesson 4 - Viewing the Draft BQ i) The Screen Layout Your trainer will show you how to access the Draft BQ and will then explain the screen layout. Fill in the boxes so that you have a record in your own words.

Bill View Window

Abstract List

Page Counter/Navigation Bill Properties Button Bill Refresh Button

Price Type Setting

Print Preview Button

- 9 -

Lesson 5 - Advanced Measurement i) An Introduction to Key Dims We have already seen that it is possible to dynamically link any dim to any other dim within the project, this is great for ‘Anding On’ and re-using previous calculations but if we limit our use of Dynamic Dims to these functions then we will miss out on one of the most powerful features of the system. Key Dims are no different to any other Dimsheet entered into the system except that they do not have a description and as a result do not appear in the Bill of Quantities. Key Dims may be used in any number of instances and your trainer will endeavour to provide you with some examples that are relevant to your organisation. ii) Creating Key Dims The dims on the next page include three Key Dims your Trainer will show you how to enter these dims and then ask you to enter them on your system. Note: These Dims are to be entered against the Substructures Element. ii) Using Key Dims There are two ways to make use of the key dims that you have entered:-

� by Dynamically linking using the Right Mouse button menu as we have previously � by making use of the Key Dims button which will display the dimstore you have designated as the Key

Dimstore. To designate the Dimstore you wish to be displayed, and be available for dynamic linking to, when you click the Key Dims button you must first view the dimstores for your project. This can be done by carrying out the following steps: 1) Click on the View Project Dimstores button 2) Highlight the Dimstore that you wish to display when clicking on the Key Dims button 3) Right Click to view the following menu 4) Select your Take Off Reference and Click OK. Return to your Dimsheets.

Check that the Dims listed when you click on the Key Dims button are correct.

To Dynamically Link to one of these Dims simply double-click it and it will be inserted in the position of your cursor on your Dimsheet. Your Trainer will show you how. Now enter the remainder of the Dims on the next page making use of the Key Dims you created earlier.

- 10 -

Building A, Substructures

0.30 Trench Width

0.30

0.75 Trench Depth

0.75

2/ 10.00 Trench CL

2/ 20.00

Ddt

4/2/½/ 0.30 (Tr. Width )

58.80

Excavating Trenches, width

< 0.30m, max. depth n.e. 1.00m m3

(D20/2/22/1)

58.80 Trench CL

0.30 Trench Width

0.75 Trench Depth

13.23

Compacting, bottoms of

excavations m2

(D20/2/81/1)

58.80 Trench CL

0.30 Trench Width

17.64

Earthwork Support, max. depth

n.e. 1.00m, distance bet. faces

n.e. 2.00m m2

(D20/2/7/1)

2/ 58.80 Trench CL

0.75 Trench Depth

88.20

Disposal of Exc. Mat. Off Site m3

(D20/2/9/4)

13.23 As Trench Excavation

- 11 -

iii) Amending Key Dims It is possible that the Trench Width in our example could change from 0.30m to 0.25m. If we had restricted ourselves to basic measurement facilities only then we would have to identify and amend each and every Dimsheet in which we had used the Trench Width. As we have made use of Key Dims and Dynamic Linking this is not necessary in this instance. To amend a Key Dim simply navigate to the Key Dim that needs amending. This can be done using the standard navigation tools or by simply finding a Dimsheet that links to the Key Dim and selecting “Jump to Key Dim” from the Right Mouse Button Menu. Amend the Key Dim calculation and then click the Amend Button All Dimsheets that are linked to this Key Dim will now be amended to reflect the change. To return to the Dimsheet from which you ‘jumped’ select the “Return to last Dim” from the Right Mouse Button Menu. iv) Some examples of when to use Key Dims

� when a dimension is ‘unknown’ – make an assumption and use a Key Dim, if the assumption is wrong then simply amend the Key Dim

� when the change of one item will have a major impact on a number of other items e.g. Trench CL � when you are aware that a dimension may change

Remember: The system is not able to change descriptions just calculations so if a description change is required then you will need to make these manually. v) PC and Provisional Sums Masterbill Elite ‘knows’ how to format a PC/ Provisional Sum and Daywork item by means of checking the NEDO (or PFI) reference listed against an item in the library (usually at 2nd level). As a result the easiest way to create a PC/Provisional Sum and ensure that the correct PFI code is inserted at the correct level is to make use of one of the standard library items that already meets all the requirements. Your Trainer will show you how to enter the Piling PC Sum item included on the following page and then ask you to enter the same item into your system.

- 12 -

Building A, Substructure

Item PC Sum - Piling Sub contract Sum

& Add for Profit %

(Z51/15/1/1)

Note:

The work in this section

comprises:

Excavation etc. in connection

with the foundations only, all

mass excavation and/or filling

has been measured in the

Sitework element.

(D01/1/1/?)

Excavating Pits, max. depth

n.e. 1.00m, 4 Nr

(D20/2/3/1)

4/ 1.00 (Exact d mensions required - see i

1.00 Query Sheet Subs/1 Item 1)

1.00

4.00

Breaking out rock in Excavations; m3

(PROVISIONAL)

15.00 (D20/2/5/1)

- 13 -

vi) Information or ‘Note’ Items There are two ways in which to enter an Information or ‘Note’ item into a Bill as follows:

� by making use of the Bill Note feature in the Bill Properties – this will be covered later � by making use of the xx unit

Your Trainer will demonstrate how to enter the Note included on the previous page and then ask you to do likewise. vii) Using the Task List When measuring there are often times when we need to make a note to check something and return to a dimension at a later date. It may be as simple as checking a dimension or require a Query to be sent to the designer. Masterbill Elite allows the user to place virtual Post-It Notes on any Dimsheet by entering the details in the Task List. These outstanding Tasks are then stored until a Bill is created/viewed when the user will be informed of any tasks that remain outstanding, at this point the user may ‘Ignore’ theses tasks or jump to the Dimsheets concerned by double-clicking on the task. Tasks can be cleared by ticking the checkbox adjacent to the task and then Amending the Dimsheet. Your Trainer will demonstrate the use of the Task List using the dimensions on the previous page. Note: To view all outstanding Tasks on a project select “ View Dim Task List” from the Options menu. viii) Unit Check Masterbill Elite is programmed to check all Dimsheets to ensure that they comply with the unit requirements of the item that they are being entered against. This ensures that concrete is not accidentally measured in m2 for example. When the system identifies a Unit Check Error it will display the following message. You may choose to override the system by clicking ‘Yes’ but this should be done only if you are aware that the way that you have entered the calculations is not strictly correct, otherwise you should click ‘No’ and the system will show you where the calculation is incorrect. Your Trainer will demonstrate how this works and then ask you to enter the final dimension on the previous page.

- 14 -

Lesson 6 - Dim Management i) An Overview Once we have measured items then they may be used again in other parts of the same project or even in other projects. The facilities incorporated within Masterbill Elite to assist you in re-using data include:

� Copying Dimstores � Factoring / Multiplying Dimstores � Setting Quantities in a Dimstore

These are all carried out from the View Project Dimstores window shown below. Your Trainer will explain/demonstrate how to carry out each of these tasks and explain when they are applicable. (Use the space around the picture above and the table below to take notes of these procedures)

Function When applicable

Filtering the Dimstore List

Copying Dimstores

Moving Dimstores

Factoring/ Multiplying Dimstores

Deleting Dimstores and Dims

Copying Dimstores from another Project

- 15 -

ii) Key Dims and Dim Management

- 16 -

Lesson 7 - Producing YOUR Bills of Quantities i) Creating a New Bill We have already seen how we can use the Draft Bill to view our work but now we are going to look at how we can create a Bill with the sortation settings, fonts, column widths, header and footer that we require. To create a New Bill click on the Bills level under your Project and access the Right Mouse Button Menu as shown below

As you will soon find out there are numerous ways in which you can customise the Bills produced by Masterbill Elite, so rather than requiring you to remember your preferred settings we enable you to create Bill Templates that hold all the settings ready for you to use again and again – this helps your organisation standardise their bills. To select a Bill Template simply place a tick next to the Template you wish to use.

- 17 -

ii) Bill Properties These control the way your Bill works, looks and prints. Your Trainer will explain how each of the settings work.

Make your own notes here and in the relevant sections below.

a) Bill Sequence

- 18 -

c) The Project Manager Bill Tree

d) Using the Bill to View Your Abstract and Navigate to your Dimsheets

- 23 -

v) Editing/Amending the items in your Bill

a) Items with a Single Dimsheet

To amend a Bill Item that has only one Dimsheet it is as simple as navigating back to your Dimsheet via the Abstract making the changes you wish to make and then clicking the Amend button.

Return to your Bill click the Refresh button and your changes will be reflected in the Bill.

b) Items with Multiple Dimsheets

In some instances a Bill item may be the result of a number of Dimsheets, if you need to amend the item then it is obviously not desirable to have to amend each Dimsheet as described above so Masterbill Elite incorporates what we term Multiple Amend.

Multiple Amend allows the user to edit the description only (after all that is why the Dimsheets were combined in the first instance) by selecting the Bill Item and selecting Multiple Amend from the Right Mouse Button Menu.

Select the Dimsheets that you wish to Amend from the following dialog and Click the Tick.

You will now be able to view a Dimsheet in Multiple Amend mode, this means that you will not be able to see the Calculations but can Amend the description for all selected Dimsheets at the same time.

Your Trainer will demonstrate.

Note: To see the effects of your changes in the Bill don’t forget to press the Refresh button.

- 24 -

Lesson 8 - Pricing

i) An Introduction to Pricing in Masterbill Elite

Masterbill Elite enables the user to store up to 15 sets of prices against each Bill in the system. Pricing may be undertaken with a Basic or a Detailed approach or a combination of the two. Masterbill Elite even includes the facilities to price one project from another.

ii) Setting a Tender

To set a Tender click on the Tenders & Currency button

If the Tenderer you wish to use is already in the list then add it to the Project Tenderers and make it the Current Tender by checking the relevant boxes.

Note: This list will grow as you add new tenderers for each project so you may not need to create a new Tenderer every time.

iii) Basic Pricing

Once you have set your tender you will notice that its name appears at the top of the Extension Column.

To begin pricing click in the Rate Column next to the first item to be priced and enter the Rate.

Masterbill Elite enables the user to make use of a number of Price Types selected from the drop-down box against each priceable item. Your Trainer will explain how each of these work so that you can make notes.

- 25 -

iv) Detailed Pricing

On occasions you may wish to go beyond simply entering a rate or a sum into the document but would rather ‘build-up’ a rate from first principles and/or known resources.

Masterbill Elite enables you to do this when necessary by entering the rate ‘build-up’ or resources into the lower half of the screen.

v) Matching Prices

Wouldn’t it be good if you could simply ask the computer to price this tender estimate for you based on the last tender received?

This is exactly what Masterbill Elite enables you to do.

To price from another Project/Bill/Tender simply select ‘Matching Prices’ from the Right Mouse Button Menu in the Bill, then select the Project, Bill and Tender you wish to ‘match’ to and Click the Tick.

Masterbill Elite will ask if you would like to adjust the prices as they are ‘matched’ by either a % factor or by the relevant Tender Price Index (TPI) for each Project.

Note: Masterbill Elite does not limit the ‘matching’ only one Project/Bill/Tender but rather allows the user to keep matching until the majority of the tender is priced. It is advisable however to match to the best suited Project/Bill/Tender first as subsequent ‘matches’ will simply attempt to fill in the gaps.

- 26 -

Lesson 9 - Advanced Features Overview

i) Generally

Masterbill Elite has numerous advanced features that could fill another day’s training course. Depending upon the time available and your ability to take on any more information your Trainer will endeavour to provide an overview one/more of the following Advanced Features. Please advise your Trainer of which areas interest you most.

� eTendering

� Re-using data

� Analysis

� Tender Comparison

� Flat Bills

� CAD Measurement

� Using QSCad data in Masterbill Elite

- 27 -

Measurement Exercise St. Albans Primary School 1. Take-off quantities for Floor Finishes as the sketch on the next page and the take off list below. 2. Use the Dynamic Linking of dims facilities. 3. See note on bottom of sketch Adjust all affected quantities (after take-off completed) to allow for the wet bay areas to be adjusted to 3.5 x 3.5m. Take Off List 1. Remove existing finishes from classrooms.

2. New Cement Sand Screed.

3. Quarry Tiles to Wet Bay areas.

4. Brass Division Strip.

5. Underlay.

6. Carpet.

7. A Provisional Sum of £2,000 for new Stainless Steel Sinks and Base Units.

8. An Information/ Note item stating:

“ The Contractor is to include in his rates for all necessary preparation of existing surfaces to receive new finishes”

Carpet Schedule

Location Carpet Colour Reference

Building A Blue 0915

Building B Red 0927

Building C Violet 0934

Building D Green 0952

Building E Grey 0955

Building F Indigo 0967

- 28 -

- 29 - - 29 -