Deciding Costing Models
In this ‘How-To’ video, learn how to determine the best cost model for your project in HomeBuilder.
This video covers universal versus model house area costing, why we would choose one over the other, and understanding the importance of deciding on costing models in construction.
Duration: Approximately 10 minutes
Skill Level: Intermediate HomeBuilder users
Prerequisites: Basic understanding of HomeBuilder base contracts and color chart items
Universal vs. Model House Area Costing
Video Summary
You’ll learn when to use universal costing versus model house area costing in HomeBuilder—and how choosing the right approach upfront can save you hours of vendor contract maintenance.
What You’ll Learn
This video walks through the key differences between universal and model house area cost scopes, covering:
Base Contract Items
- How to decide between universal and per-model pricing
- When items like permits and working drawings need universal costs (same price regardless of model)
- Why items like excavation and outside water service require per-model pricing
- How phase-based pricing works across different cost scopes
Color Chart Items (Where It Gets Complex)
- Managing costs across multiple house areas (family rooms, bedrooms, etc.)
- Real examples using flooring and engineered hardwood selections
- The vendor contract maintenance impact of your costing decisions
The Key Decision Framework
Choose Universal Costing When:
- You have items with multiple variants (colors, species, finish levels)
- You have several upgrade levels for the same item type
- You’re willing to enter takeoff values per model/house area
- You want minimal vendor contract maintenance
Example: Engineered hardwood with three upgrade levels and multiple wood species. Universal costing means you enter the cost once per variant ($4/sq ft for Ash, $5/sq ft for Cherry, $6/sq ft for Oak) rather than creating hundreds of entries for each model and house area combination.
Choose Per-Model House Area Costing When:
- Items don’t have many variants
- The cost genuinely varies by model or house area
- Fewer vendor contract entries need maintaining
Example: Custom cabinetry, countertops, or stairs where pricing differs significantly by model.
What You’ll See in the Video
- Live demonstration in HomeBuilder administrator/executive edition
- Actual vendor contract screens showing the difference in maintenance workload
- Side-by-side comparison of universal vs. per-model costing approaches
- Excel export/import functionality for managing complex costing scenarios
Time Investment vs. Ongoing Maintenance
The video emphasizes this trade-off: spending extra time upfront entering takeoff values (with universal costing) often means significantly easier vendor contract maintenance over time. You’ll see exactly how many vendor contract lines you avoid by choosing the right cost scope.
This video helps you make strategic costing decisions that reduce administrative overhead and simplify vendor contract management.
Get going in no time with our HomeBuilder ‘How-To’ videos showing you quick and easy tools available in the HomeBuilder app by Suite Engine. Talk to Suite Engine today!
HomeBuilder is Modern and Secure Software for Production Builders | Built within Microsoft Dynamics 365 Business Central
- Learn more about HomeBuilder.
- Get the App on Microsoft AppSource today, or request a personalized demo!
