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The Estimates tool is a database-backed quantity takeoff (QTO) system built directly into Alleato. It replaces the Excel estimate workflow with a collaborative, versioned tool that connects to project cost codes, the directory, and the rest of the platform. When you finish an estimate, you can import its lines directly into a prime contract schedule of values — either from within the app or by using the Alleato Excel workbook template.

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Open the Estimates Tool

  1. Select the project.
  2. Open Estimates from the project sidebar under Financial Management.
  3. The list shows all estimates for the project with their title, estimate number, revision, status, estimator, and date.

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Create an Estimate

  1. Select New Estimate in the top-right corner.
  2. Fill in the form:
    • Title (required) — a descriptive name, such as “Warehouse HVAC Replacement R1”.
    • Estimate Number — optional reference number.
    • Revision — defaults to 1; increment when revising an approved estimate.
    • Status — Draft, Pending Review, Approved, or Rejected.
    • Estimate Type — Design Build, Design Bid Build, or other.
    • Date, Estimator, Location — informational fields.
    • Project Duration (weeks) — drives the General Conditions cost calculations.
    • Insurance Rate — defaults to 1.25%.
    • Fee Rate — defaults to 10%.
    • Contingency Amount — a flat dollar addition to the grand total.
    • Notes — free-text context.
  3. Select Create Estimate. The detail page opens.

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Estimate Detail Page

The detail page has a left sidebar and three tabs. Estimate Settings — update duration, insurance rate, fee rate, and contingency amount. Changes save automatically; a “saving…” indicator appears while the update is in flight. Division Summary — shows the total cost for each CSI division present in the estimate, followed by the cost roll-up: The Insurance and Fee rows show the actual rate in parentheses — for example, “Insurance (1.25%)”.

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General Conditions Tab

Lists the Division 01 (General Conditions) items for the estimate. Each row shows a description, quantity, rate, and total. Click into a Qty or Rate cell to edit it inline; the total and the Grand Total recalculate immediately.

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Quantity Takeoff Tab

All non-GC line items grouped by CSI division in collapsible accordion sections. To add a line item:
  1. Expand a division accordion.
  2. Click + Add item at the bottom of that division.
  3. Fill in the Description, Quantity, Unit, and cost fields for Material, Labor, Equipment, and/or Subcontract.
  4. Press Enter or click away. The line saves automatically and the division total updates.
To edit a line item: Click any cell in an existing row, change the value, and press Enter. To remove a line item: Hover over the row and click the trash icon. Use Expand All and Collapse All to open or close all divisions at once.

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Alternates and Allowances Tab

Lists add/deduct alternates and allowance schedule items for the estimate. When empty, each section shows placeholder text.

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Find and Filter Estimates

On the Estimates list page:
  • Search — filters by title, estimate number, estimator, location, or status.
  • Status filter — narrow to Draft, Pending Review, Approved, or Rejected.
  • Column visibility — the Location column is hidden by default; enable it from the column toggle menu.
  • Click any column header to sort. Click again to reverse.

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How Estimates Connect to Prime Contracts

The Alleato estimate workbook (.xlsm or .xlsx) is the bridge between the Estimates tool and a prime contract schedule of values. Two paths to a prime contract SOV: Either way, the import reads from the same file format and maps each row to a project cost code before populating the SOV. To import an estimate workbook into a prime contract, see Import an Estimate Workbook into the SOV in the Prime Contracts article.