Turning on cost codes
Cost codes are disabled by default. Before you can use them, you need to enable the feature in system preferences.
- 1
Go to Tools > System Preferences.
- 2
Click the Cost Code tab along the top of the System Preferences window.
- 3
Tick the checkbox to enable cost codes.
Additional options
Once you have ticked the main enable checkbox, you will see several additional options underneath. Configure these based on how you intend to use cost codes.
Subcon and specials
This option allows cost codes to be set against subcontract and special items, not just standard materials.
If you are using the mechanical, electrical, or MEP version of Ensign, it is recommended that you always enable this option. Without it, cost codes will only apply to material items.
Mark up by cost code
When enabled, the summary table changes so that you mark up materials by cost code rather than as a single lump sum. This gives you finer control over your on-cost percentages across different categories of work.
Enabling markup by cost code does not affect any projects you have already created. The cost code markup functionality will only apply to new projects created after the option is turned on.
Export formats for Sage and Pegasus
Two further options allow you to export labour cost data in formats compatible with Sage 200 and Pegasus (EQ2). These options are hidden by default. To reveal them:
- 1
In the System Preferences window, go to the Miscellaneous Default tab.
- 2
Scroll to the bottom of the screen and tick Show export to other format options on the summary table (third from the bottom).
- 3
Return to the Cost Code tab. The Sage and Pegasus export checkboxes will now be visible. Tick whichever you need.
What changes when cost codes are enabled
Once cost codes are turned on, the following changes take effect across the software:
- Exam grid columns — new columns for Cost Code (and optionally Cost Code Labour) appear on the takeoff screen when you scroll to the right.
- Summary table — if markup by cost code is enabled, a new Cost Code Breakdown tab appears on the summary table. You will no longer be able to enter a single markup against the materials line; instead, you mark up each cost code individually.
- Reports — additional cost code reports become available in Select Reports, including summary, section breakdown, and detailed breakdown options.
- Exports — if the Sage or Pegasus options are enabled, additional export buttons appear on the summary table.
Cost codes work the same way across all trade versions of Ensign — mechanical, electrical, generic MEP, and ductwork. The only exception is that the MEP version has cost codes hard-coded and enabled by default; they cannot be deactivated on that platform.
Verifying cost codes are active in a project
When you create a new project, you can confirm that cost code markup is turned on by clicking Show Advanced Options on the project creation screen. The cost code markup option should already be ticked if you enabled it in system preferences.
If you did not enable markup by cost code in system preferences, you can still tick it on a per-project basis from this screen.