When the Update Cost button in Estimator is selected, it will update the Unit Cost in the Estimate with the Unit Cost that is in the database.
The Item Number and the Description are the two fields that have to be in sync between Data Manager and the Estimator for the Update Cost button to work.
This command updates all line items in the current estimate with the five-unit cost categories: Labor, Material, Equipment, Sub, and Other from the unit cost database you are connected to. This enables users to update their Templates with updated prices if their Templates contain Line Items, say for conceptual estimating.
When this button is selected this operation is not undoable, therefore make sure that all your line items are updated before pressing this button. This button should only be used if you are sure that you have the most updated info for all the Line Items in the Database to reflect what's in the Estimate.
If those line Items have Formulas that are linked to the Project tab, then updating the data in the Database, will update the database in the Estimate.
Here is an example:
In the screenshot below my Line Item Project Estimator is linked to the Estimator Formula in the Project tab. Unix Cost $3016 X Quantity 1000
In Data Manager my Labor Resource 40 hrs X $75.50 = $3016
Next, I switch/update the Resource to a different rate
Then in Estimator, I will click Connect to Database and select my cost database to Refresh my changes
Next, click the Update Cost button and select Yes
As you can see my cost is now updated to reflect the changes made. My new Unit Cost is now $5800 (40 hrs X $145)
