Estimating (Worksheet Functions)

In MeasureSquare CRM, there are two modules designed to produce a client-facing proposal:

• The Quote Module
  
  

• The Bid Module
  
  

Both serve the same core purpose, but each is tailored to different estimating scenarios.

1. Quote vs Bid — Which Should You Use?

The Quote Module (Fast & Simple)

Ideal for: retail, residential, and fast-turn multifamily renovations.

Pros:

• Quick and easy to build
  
  

• Ideal for on-site quoting (supported in CRM Mobile)
  
  

• Minimal setup required
  
  

Cons:

• Fewer customization options
  
  

• Limited breakout structures
  
  

• Product/add-on hierarchy is simplified or flattened
  
  

The Bid Module (Robust & Flexible)

Designed to support the wide range of workflows found in commercial, multifamily, and specialty estimating environments.

Pros:

• Highly customizeable
  
  

• Supports advanced calculation logic
  
  

• Allows complex breakouts (Phase, Tab, Trade, etc.)
  
  

• Retains structure from MeasureSquare 8 (containers, box quantities, net area, etc.)
  
  

Cons:

• More complex
  
  

• Cannot be created onsite through CRM Mobile
  
  

Most companies will naturally favor one module or the other, but many teams use both depending on project type.

Note: This article focuses on the Bid module.
If you would like a similar deep-dive for the Quote, email james.impallaria@measuresquare.com.

2. Understanding the Bid Module

Because the CRM and MeasureSquare 8 are permanently unified, the Bid module retains powerful calculation logic from the takeoff system, including:

• Net area
  
  

• Box/Container quantities
  
  

• Automatic unit conversions
  
  

• Add-on relationships
  
  

• Estimation methods
  
  

This gives you a level of control and accuracy rarely achieved in typical estimating software.

The Bid module is organized into four tabs:

1. Worksheet
   
   

2. Alternates
   
   

3. Customer & Document Info
   
   

4. Bid Preview
   
   

3. Getting Your Data Into the Bid

There are several ways to pull content into a Bid worksheet:

• “+ Add Bid” from the Diagram module
  
  

• “Import from Diagram” within the Bid
  
  

• “Import from Selected Products” within the Bid
  
  

• “Add Line Item” (manual entry)
  
  

This may seem overwhelming at first, but it simply provides flexibility for different workflows.

Recommended Best Practice

1. Ensure your takeoff diagram is complete
   
   

2. Open the Diagram
   
   

3. Click + Add Bid

This workflow allows you to visually confirm takeoff accuracy using the Diagram Viewer before pushing data into the Bid.

Multiple Diagram Imports

You can import data from multiple takeoff diagrams into the same Bid.
This is especially helpful when breaking a large project into smaller diagrams and combining them at the estimating stage.

4. Bid Worksheet Navigation

The Bid Worksheet is one of the most feature-rich areas of the CRM.

Custom Columns (Replicate Your Old Proposal Layout)

You can completely customize the Worksheet columns using:

Config Bid Custom Fields (gear icon in the top-right)

This allows you to:

• Add your own columns
  
  

• Remove unused columns
  
  

• Rename column headers
  
  

• Replicate the structure of your previous spreadsheets or proposal system
  
  
  

Folder Structure

When importing from takeoff, folders are automatically created based on your estimation method:

• By Project
  
  

• By Tab
  
  

• By Phase
  
  

You can also manually:

• Add folders
  
  

• Remove folders
  
  

• Nest products
  
  

• Set items as add-ons
  
  

• Duplicate or replace items
  
  

Use the three-dot menu on any line or folder to access these options.

Markup & Margin

The worksheet displays Markup by default, but you can switch to Margin.

To adjust:

1. Hover over the Markup column
   
   

2. Click the settings gear
   
   

3. Choose ‘Switch to Margin’
   

Adjusting Markup/Margin of Line Items

• Adjust all line items at once from the column settings (see screenshot above)
  
  

• Adjust Materials only or Labor only in the Summary section
  
  

• Adjust individually for each line item in the worksheet itself

This flexibility supports the wide variety of pricing models used in flooring and construction.

5. Configuring Product Breakouts

Breakouts determine how your totals are grouped on the worksheet and ultimately in your proposal.

When you import a takeoff diagram, the CRM applies the estimation method used inside MeasureSquare 8:

Estimation Methods in MeasureSquare 8

1. By Project
   
   

• Single total for the entire project
  
  

2. By Tab
   
   

• Totals grouped by Tab
  
  

• Can also roll up to a grand total
  
  

3. By Phase
   
   

• Totals grouped by Phase
  
  

• Can also roll up to a grand total
  
  

Additional Breakout: Trade

In the Bid, you can also break out your estimate by:

• TRADE
  
  

• Or combine Trade with Phase/Tab simultaneously
  (Break out by PHASE and TRADE at the same time)
  
  

Example Breakouts:

In short: The Bid module can produce extremely simple estimates—or very complex, multi-layered proposals—depending on your needs.

Manual Entry Without a Takeoff

You can build Quotes, Bids, or any CRM document without a takeoff by manually entering:

• Product name
  
  

• Quantity
  
  

• Pricing
  
  

• Add-ons
  
  

This maintains full functionality even when diagrams are not used.

6. Alternates (AKA “Options”)

The Alternates tab is a powerful system for managing optional estimating scenarios. 

You can create alternates by:

• Adding items from scratch
  
  

• Pulling from the Product database
  
  

• Duplicating items or folders from your Bid worksheet
  
  

Alternates appear on the proposal separately from the base bid. 

Article: How to Add an Alternate to Your Bid in MeasureSquare CRM

Replacing One Material with Another

When an Alternate replaces one product with another:

You must add a DEDUCT line for the original product.

Example:

• ADD 1,153 SF of LVT
  
  

• DEDUCT 128 yards of CPT-4

Without that deduct line, the cost of this Alternate would be severely incorrect.

To create a DEDUCT line on the Bid Worksheet:

• Enter a negative quantity or enter a negative cost price (see screenshot above) to balance out the addition of new material.
  
  

Pro Tip: Pre-Organize Alternates in Your Takeoff

Your estimating team can isolate Alternates in MeasureSquare 8 by grouping them as:

• A separate Phase
  
  

• A separate Tab
  
  

• A separate Trade
  
  

Then, in the Bid module, you can import those groups directly into the Alternates tab with minimal effort.

ADD ARTICLE

Approving or Declining Alternates

If you add products to an Alternate, the base bid will be unaffected at first. The quantities and pricing from the Alternate will only be shown within the Bid, and will not be applied to your reporting or analytics. You can have as many alternates as needed, and each Alternate will start as a Draft and can be Approved or Declined.

When an Alternate is marked as Approved, the total of that Alternate is added to the Sales Amount of the bid.
In addition, the products from the Approved Alternate are now accounted for as a part of that estimate, meaning that these products will be pulled onto Purchase Orders, Work Orders, or Invoices that are created from that bid.

If the Alternate is marked as Declined or Draft, the quantities from those Alternates will not be accounted for in the project Amount, or the Purchase Orders/Work Orders resulting from that Bid. 

7. Customer & Document Info

This tab allows you to enhance and personalize the customer-facing proposal.

You can attach or insert:

• Site Photos
  
  

• Additional PDFs
  
  

• Spreadsheets or supporting documents
  
  

• 2D & 3D diagrams
  
  

• Wall elevations
  
  

• Scope of Work
  
  

• Notes
  
  

Inclusions & Exclusions Library

Use the built-in library to store your company’s standard:

• Inclusions
  
  

• Exclusions
  
  

Set defaults for items that should appear on every proposal while keeping optional lists available for specific situations.

Terms & Conditions Library

Store your legal text including:

• Payment terms
  
  

• Expiration dates
  
  

• Contract conditions
  
  

Set a default T&C block and keep alternates available for special cases.

Now let’s head to the Bid Preview tab to review our options on the Presentation side.