Describe the slab, footing or driveway the way you would call it in to your estimator, and your AI builds it in Projul: a section per phase, line items with your quantities and markup, your sales tax, and any finish options. It lands in "Estimates" as a Draft with the totals calculated, ready to review, publish and send.
What to say to your AI
You do not need a template. Give the takeoff phase by phase, with the quantity, unit, your cost and your markup on each line, and name your sales tax rate.
Build an estimate in Projul for [Marchetti Driveway and Patio]. Four sections. Demolition and disposal: [break out and remove existing driveway, 940 SF at $2.10 plus 20%], [haul off and dump fees, 22 tons at $58 plus 20%]. Grade and base: [3/4 inch road base, 4 inches compacted, 18 tons at $32 plus 20%], [compaction, 6 hours at $52 plus 40%]. Forms and reinforcing: [form perimeter and radius at the apron, 152 LF at $3.40 plus 25%], [6x6 welded wire mesh, 1,240 SF at $0.38 plus 25%]. Concrete, placement and finish: [4,000 psi mix with fiber, 5 inches, 20 CY at $178 plus 18%], [placement and finish labor, 26 hours at $48 plus 40%], [cure and seal, 1,240 SF at $0.42 plus 25%]. Apply our [Utah] sales tax.
Quoting the same scope often? Have your AI copy a saved template and adjust the quantities instead. The job needs a project or lead to hold it, and one project holds only one estimate; if the lead does not exist, your AI creates it first.
Units, markup, tax and finish options
Say the unit you work in (CY, SF, LF, ton, each, hour) and the markup as a percentage or a flat amount, or give the sell price directly. Tax applies only when you name a rate that exists in your Projul settings, and lines can be marked taxable or not. See How does my AI calculate prices, markup and tax?
Most flatwork carries an option such as the finish, a color or a sealer. Projul calls these selections, required or optional, single or multiple choice, and only the selected lines count. Your AI can also show or hide prices and quantities for the client, and write the introduction and contract text. See selections and display-only sections.
Change orders
The concrete change order you write most often is the one for a subgrade that will not hold.
Add a change order to the [Lot 14 Foundation, Harlan Ridge] estimate in Projul called [Overexcavation and structural fill]. One section: [overexcavate unsuitable soil, 18 inches under the footing, 46 CY at $38 plus 20%], [haul off, 6 loads at $210 plus 20%], [import and compact structural fill, 62 tons at $34 plus 20%], [extra machine day, 9 hours at $145 plus 20%]. Apply our [Utah] tax.
Removed scope comes off the same way, as a display-only section Projul counts as a deduction. See How do I have my AI add a change order?
What you will see
Your AI asks you to approve each step, then reports the estimate number and total. In Projul, click "Estimates". The new estimate sits at the top of the list as a Draft, with each phase's subtotal on the card and any change order listed beneath it.
Note: Your AI leaves it as a Draft; reviewing, publishing, sending and recording approval happen in Projul.
Questions? Let's Chat.
support@projul.com
(844) 776-5853