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How To Price An Item (Labor & Material or Sub-Contractor)

This article provides a step-by-step guide on how to price items using Bolster. Understanding the pricing process is crucial for creating accurate and effective estimates.

How Item Pricing Works

Items can be priced using one or more of the following components:

  • Labor

  • Material

  • Subcontractor

Each component contributes directly to the total unit price of the item.

Updated Pricing Behavior

Item pricing now dynamically updates based on which cost components are included.

Example: Labor + Material

  • Material cost: $100

  • Labor cost: $100

Total item price: $200

Removing a Cost Component

If you remove one of the pricing components:

  • Removing Material leaves only Labor at $100

  • The total item price automatically updates to $100

The system no longer retains the original combined total once a pricing component is removed.

Keeping the Same Total After Removing a Component

If you want to maintain the original total price after removing a component:

  1. Remove the pricing component you no longer need (e.g. Material).

  2. Update the unit cost of the remaining component (e.g. Labor).

  3. Enter the full desired total.

Example

  • Original total: $200 (Labor + Material)

  • Material removed

  • Update Labor unit cost to $200

New total item price: $200

Why This Change Matters

  • Provides clearer, more accurate pricing behavior

  • Prevents hidden or unintended costs

  • Makes item pricing more transparent and predictable

This update ensures that the item total always reflects the actual components being used.

Price Items

Method 1: On the Estimate

  • Labor Cost per: Enter labor cost per on your estimate.

  • Materials Cost per: Input materials cost per in the field.

  • Subcontracted Work: If subcontracted, click Subcontract and use the subcontractor icon to enter costs.

  • Total Cost per: For a pre-markup price, enter total cost per.

  • Price per: Enter price per, which includes markup, to show client.

Method 2: Unit Pricing Tab

  • Click the square on the item to open the unit pricing tab. This section allows you to enter the same information as above to keep your pricing consistent.

Unit Pricing

Now you have two methods to price items. This will help with cost control and client satisfaction. For more help see Bolster support or contact support.