Create powerful assemblies that allow you to estimate in minutes
Create powerful assemblies that allow you to estimate in minutes
Introduction
Introduction
What Are Assemblies and Why Use Them?
What Are Assemblies and Why Use Them?
Assemblies in VoltPro are pre-configured groups of materials, equipment, and labor that you can quickly add to estimates. Think of them as templates that save you from repeatedly entering the same items for common job components.
Benefits of using assemblies:
Save hours of time on repetitive estimating tasks
Ensure consistency across all your estimates
Reduce the risk of forgetting critical components
Calculate complex material needs automatically
Improve estimate accuracy
Easily adapt to different job specifications
Assemblies in VoltPro are pre-configured groups of materials, equipment, and labor that you can quickly add to estimates. Think of them as templates that save you from repeatedly entering the same items for common job components.
Benefits of using assemblies:
Save hours of time on repetitive estimating tasks
Ensure consistency across all your estimates
Reduce the risk of forgetting critical components
Calculate complex material needs automatically
Improve estimate accuracy
Easily adapt to different job specifications
Basics
Basics
Assembly Creation Basics
Assembly Creation Basics
Before diving into specific use cases, let's cover the fundamentals of creating an assembly in VoltPro.
How to Access the Assembly Creation Screen
From your VoltPro dashboard, click on the "Materials" tab in the main navigation
Select "Assemblies" from the dropdown menu
Click the "+ New Assembly" button in the top right corner
Key Components of an Assembly
Name: A descriptive title that clearly identifies the assembly's purpose
Description: Additional details about when and how to use the assembly
Assembly Unit Type: Choose between "Per Unit" or "By Area" depending on how the assembly will be calculated
Items: The materials, equipment, and labor components that make up the assembly
Quantity: How many of each item are required per unit or area
Markup: Optional percentage markup specific to items within the assembly
Now, let's explore the three main types of assemblies you can create in VoltPro.
Before diving into specific use cases, let's cover the fundamentals of creating an assembly in VoltPro.
How to Access the Assembly Creation Screen
From your VoltPro dashboard, click on the "Materials" tab in the main navigation
Select "Assemblies" from the dropdown menu
Click the "+ New Assembly" button in the top right corner
Key Components of an Assembly
Name: A descriptive title that clearly identifies the assembly's purpose
Description: Additional details about when and how to use the assembly
Assembly Unit Type: Choose between "Per Unit" or "By Area" depending on how the assembly will be calculated
Items: The materials, equipment, and labor components that make up the assembly
Quantity: How many of each item are required per unit or area
Markup: Optional percentage markup specific to items within the assembly
Now, let's explore the three main types of assemblies you can create in VoltPro.
Assembly type 1
Assembly type 1
Complete Job Material List
Complete Job Material List
This approach creates a comprehensive list of all possible materials for a specific job type. When estimating, you'll add the entire assembly, then remove items you don't need for that particular job.
Real-World Example: Residential Receptacle Installation Package
Let's say you're an electrical contractor who frequently installs new receptacles in existing homes. While the basics are always the same, each job might require slightly different components.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Comprehensive Receptacle Installation Assembly
Name your assembly: "Residential Receptacle Installation - Complete"
Description: "Full material list for standard receptacle installations, including all potential parts"
Select "Per Unit" as the Assembly Unit Type
Add the following items:
Standard receptacles (15A, 20A, GFCI, USB variants)
Various switch plates (standard, decora, specialty finishes)
Junction boxes (plastic, metal, old-work, new-work)
Wire types (12/2 NM-B, 14/2 NM-B, 12/3 NM-B)
Wire nuts, electrical tape, misc. fasteners
Labor hours for installation
Set the quantity to "1" for each item (you'll adjust as needed in the estimate)
Add any standard markup you apply to materials
How to Use This Type of Assembly
When creating an estimate for a new receptacle installation:
Add the "Residential Receptacle Installation - Complete" assembly to your estimate
Review all items in the newly added assembly
For any items not needed for this specific job, either:
Delete the item by clicking the "X" icon
Adjust quantities of the remaining items based on the specific job requirements
Update labor hours based on job complexity
Benefit: This approach gives you a comprehensive checklist that ensures you never forget to include critical components in your estimates.
This approach creates a comprehensive list of all possible materials for a specific job type. When estimating, you'll add the entire assembly, then remove items you don't need for that particular job.
Real-World Example: Residential Receptacle Installation Package
Let's say you're an electrical contractor who frequently installs new receptacles in existing homes. While the basics are always the same, each job might require slightly different components.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Comprehensive Receptacle Installation Assembly
Name your assembly: "Residential Receptacle Installation - Complete"
Description: "Full material list for standard receptacle installations, including all potential parts"
Select "Per Unit" as the Assembly Unit Type
Add the following items:
Standard receptacles (15A, 20A, GFCI, USB variants)
Various switch plates (standard, decora, specialty finishes)
Junction boxes (plastic, metal, old-work, new-work)
Wire types (12/2 NM-B, 14/2 NM-B, 12/3 NM-B)
Wire nuts, electrical tape, misc. fasteners
Labor hours for installation
Set the quantity to "1" for each item (you'll adjust as needed in the estimate)
Add any standard markup you apply to materials
How to Use This Type of Assembly
When creating an estimate for a new receptacle installation:
Add the "Residential Receptacle Installation - Complete" assembly to your estimate
Review all items in the newly added assembly
For any items not needed for this specific job, either:
Delete the item by clicking the "X" icon
Adjust quantities of the remaining items based on the specific job requirements
Update labor hours based on job complexity
Benefit: This approach gives you a comprehensive checklist that ensures you never forget to include critical components in your estimates.
Assembly type 2
Assembly type 2
Repeatable Unit-Based Installations
Repeatable Unit-Based Installations
This approach is ideal for standardized installations where you need to specify how many identical units or components will be installed, and VoltPro will calculate the total materials needed.
Real-World Example: Commercial Outlet Installation
As a commercial electrician, you know that for each commercial-grade outlet you install, you need specific materials and a set amount of labor.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Unit-Based Commercial Outlet Assembly
Name your assembly: "Commercial-Grade Outlet Installation"
Description: "Standard materials and labor for installing one commercial-grade outlet"
Select "Per Unit" as the Assembly Unit Type
Add the following items:
1 × Commercial-grade 20A receptacle
1 × Commercial-grade stainless steel cover plate
1 × 4" square junction box with single-gang mud ring
3 feet × 12/2 MC cable
2 × MC cable connectors
0.5 hours × Journeyman electrician labor
0.25 hours × Apprentice electrician labor
Set quantities as listed above (per single outlet)
Add your standard markup for materials
How to Use This Type of Assembly
When estimating a job requiring multiple commercial outlets:
Add the "Commercial-Grade Outlet Installation" assembly to your estimate
In the "Number of assemblies" field, enter the total number of outlets required (e.g., 12)
VoltPro automatically calculates the total materials needed:
12 × Commercial-grade 20A receptacles
12 × Commercial-grade stainless steel cover plates
12 × 4" square junction boxes with single-gang mud rings
36 feet × 12/2 MC cable
24 × MC cable connectors
6 hours × Journeyman electrician labor
3 hours × Apprentice electrician labor
Benefit: This approach makes it easy to quickly estimate standardized installations of any quantity while ensuring accurate material calculations.
This approach is ideal for standardized installations where you need to specify how many identical units or components will be installed, and VoltPro will calculate the total materials needed.
Real-World Example: Commercial Outlet Installation
As a commercial electrician, you know that for each commercial-grade outlet you install, you need specific materials and a set amount of labor.
Step-by-Step: Creating a Unit-Based Commercial Outlet Assembly
Name your assembly: "Commercial-Grade Outlet Installation"
Description: "Standard materials and labor for installing one commercial-grade outlet"
Select "Per Unit" as the Assembly Unit Type
Add the following items:
1 × Commercial-grade 20A receptacle
1 × Commercial-grade stainless steel cover plate
1 × 4" square junction box with single-gang mud ring
3 feet × 12/2 MC cable
2 × MC cable connectors
0.5 hours × Journeyman electrician labor
0.25 hours × Apprentice electrician labor
Set quantities as listed above (per single outlet)
Add your standard markup for materials
How to Use This Type of Assembly
When estimating a job requiring multiple commercial outlets:
Add the "Commercial-Grade Outlet Installation" assembly to your estimate
In the "Number of assemblies" field, enter the total number of outlets required (e.g., 12)
VoltPro automatically calculates the total materials needed:
12 × Commercial-grade 20A receptacles
12 × Commercial-grade stainless steel cover plates
12 × 4" square junction boxes with single-gang mud rings
36 feet × 12/2 MC cable
24 × MC cable connectors
6 hours × Journeyman electrician labor
3 hours × Apprentice electrician labor
Benefit: This approach makes it easy to quickly estimate standardized installations of any quantity while ensuring accurate material calculations.
Assembly type 3
Assembly type 3
Complete Job Material List
Complete Job Material List
This approach lets you specify materials and labor required per unit of area (square feet, square meters, etc.). When adding to an estimate, you enter the total area, and VoltPro calculates all quantities.
Real-World Example: Warehouse Lighting Installation
As an electrical contractor bidding on warehouse lighting projects, you know there's a standard amount of materials needed per 500 square feet of floor space.
Step-by-Step: Creating an Area-Based Warehouse Lighting Assembly
Name your assembly: "Warehouse LED High Bay Lighting System"
Description: "Materials and labor to install LED high bay lighting per 500 sq ft of warehouse space"
Select "By Area" as the Assembly Unit Type
Add the following items:
1 × LED High Bay fixture (22,000 lumens)
25 feet × 12/2 MC cable
2 × MC cable connectors
10 feet × Chain and mounting hardware
1 × Junction box
0.75 hours × Journeyman electrician labor
0.5 hours × Apprentice electrician labor
Set quantities as listed above (per 500 sq ft)
Add your standard markup for materials
Set the "Coverage Rate" to 500 sq ft for each item
How to Use This Type of Assembly
When estimating a warehouse lighting project:
Add the "Warehouse LED High Bay Lighting System" assembly to your estimate
Enter the total square footage of the warehouse (e.g., 20,000 sq ft)
VoltPro automatically calculates the required materials based on 500 sq ft coverage per unit:
40 × LED High Bay fixtures
1,000 feet × 12/2 MC cable
80 × MC cable connectors
400 feet × Chain and mounting hardware
40 × Junction boxes
30 hours × Journeyman electrician labor
20 hours × Apprentice electrician labor
Benefit: Area-based assemblies make it simple to estimate large-scale installations where materials are calculated based on coverage area rather than discrete units.
This approach lets you specify materials and labor required per unit of area (square feet, square meters, etc.). When adding to an estimate, you enter the total area, and VoltPro calculates all quantities.
Real-World Example: Warehouse Lighting Installation
As an electrical contractor bidding on warehouse lighting projects, you know there's a standard amount of materials needed per 500 square feet of floor space.
Step-by-Step: Creating an Area-Based Warehouse Lighting Assembly
Name your assembly: "Warehouse LED High Bay Lighting System"
Description: "Materials and labor to install LED high bay lighting per 500 sq ft of warehouse space"
Select "By Area" as the Assembly Unit Type
Add the following items:
1 × LED High Bay fixture (22,000 lumens)
25 feet × 12/2 MC cable
2 × MC cable connectors
10 feet × Chain and mounting hardware
1 × Junction box
0.75 hours × Journeyman electrician labor
0.5 hours × Apprentice electrician labor
Set quantities as listed above (per 500 sq ft)
Add your standard markup for materials
Set the "Coverage Rate" to 500 sq ft for each item
How to Use This Type of Assembly
When estimating a warehouse lighting project:
Add the "Warehouse LED High Bay Lighting System" assembly to your estimate
Enter the total square footage of the warehouse (e.g., 20,000 sq ft)
VoltPro automatically calculates the required materials based on 500 sq ft coverage per unit:
40 × LED High Bay fixtures
1,000 feet × 12/2 MC cable
80 × MC cable connectors
400 feet × Chain and mounting hardware
40 × Junction boxes
30 hours × Journeyman electrician labor
20 hours × Apprentice electrician labor
Benefit: Area-based assemblies make it simple to estimate large-scale installations where materials are calculated based on coverage area rather than discrete units.
Applying Assemblies
Applying Assemblies
Applying Assemblies to Estimates
Applying Assemblies to Estimates
Now that you've created your assemblies, here's how to apply them to your estimates efficiently.
Adding an Assembly to an Estimate
Open an existing estimate or create a new one
Click on the "Add Assembly" button
Select the desired assembly from the dropdown menu
For Unit-Based Assemblies:
Enter the number of units required
For Area-Based Assemblies:
Enter the total area to be covered (sq ft, sq m, etc.)
Click "Add" to insert the assembly into your estimate
Modifying Assembly Items Within an Estimate
After adding an assembly to your estimate, you can still modify individual items:
Change quantities of specific items as needed
Update prices if needed for this particular job
Add or remove items from the assembly group
Adjust markup percentages for specific items
Now that you've created your assemblies, here's how to apply them to your estimates efficiently.
Adding an Assembly to an Estimate
Open an existing estimate or create a new one
Click on the "Add Assembly" button
Select the desired assembly from the dropdown menu
For Unit-Based Assemblies:
Enter the number of units required
For Area-Based Assemblies:
Enter the total area to be covered (sq ft, sq m, etc.)
Click "Add" to insert the assembly into your estimate
Modifying Assembly Items Within an Estimate
After adding an assembly to your estimate, you can still modify individual items:
Change quantities of specific items as needed
Update prices if needed for this particular job
Add or remove items from the assembly group
Adjust markup percentages for specific items
Editing Assemblies
Editing Assemblies
Editing Assemblies
Editing Assemblies
Editing Assemblies After Creation
Your assemblies should evolve as your business processes and material preferences change.
How to Update an Existing Assembly
Go to the "Materials" tab and select "Assemblies"
Find the assembly you want to edit and click on it
Make your desired changes:
Update item quantities
Add new items
Remove obsolete items
Change markup percentages
Click "Update" to save your changes
Important: Updating an assembly will not affect estimates where that assembly has already been used. It will only apply to new estimates going forward.
Editing Assemblies After Creation
Your assemblies should evolve as your business processes and material preferences change.
How to Update an Existing Assembly
Go to the "Materials" tab and select "Assemblies"
Find the assembly you want to edit and click on it
Make your desired changes:
Update item quantities
Add new items
Remove obsolete items
Change markup percentages
Click "Update" to save your changes
Important: Updating an assembly will not affect estimates where that assembly has already been used. It will only apply to new estimates going forward.
Assembly Management
Assembly Management
Pro Tips for Assembly Management
Pro Tips for Assembly Management
1. Create a Logical Naming Convention
Develop a systematic naming convention for your assemblies to make them easy to find:
Include the category: "Electrical: Receptacle Installation"
Add specificity: "Commercial: 3-Phase Motor Connection"
Consider including sizes: "PVC Conduit Run: 1-inch"
2. Combine Assembly Types for Complex Jobs
For large projects, you can combine multiple assembly types in a single estimate:
Add area-based assemblies for overall coverage
Include unit-based assemblies for specific components
Use comprehensive assemblies for specialized sections
3. Review and Update Assemblies Regularly
Set a schedule to review your assemblies:
Update material prices quarterly
Review labor hours based on completed jobs
Add new products and remove discontinued ones
Refine quantities based on actual job experiences
4. Create Tiered Assemblies for Different Quality Levels
Consider creating multiple versions of similar assemblies for different price points:
"Economy Bathroom Electrical Package"
"Standard Bathroom Electrical Package"
"Premium Bathroom Electrical Package"
This lets you quickly adjust estimates based on client budget and preferences.
1. Create a Logical Naming Convention
Develop a systematic naming convention for your assemblies to make them easy to find:
Include the category: "Electrical: Receptacle Installation"
Add specificity: "Commercial: 3-Phase Motor Connection"
Consider including sizes: "PVC Conduit Run: 1-inch"
2. Combine Assembly Types for Complex Jobs
For large projects, you can combine multiple assembly types in a single estimate:
Add area-based assemblies for overall coverage
Include unit-based assemblies for specific components
Use comprehensive assemblies for specialized sections
3. Review and Update Assemblies Regularly
Set a schedule to review your assemblies:
Update material prices quarterly
Review labor hours based on completed jobs
Add new products and remove discontinued ones
Refine quantities based on actual job experiences
4. Create Tiered Assemblies for Different Quality Levels
Consider creating multiple versions of similar assemblies for different price points:
"Economy Bathroom Electrical Package"
"Standard Bathroom Electrical Package"
"Premium Bathroom Electrical Package"
This lets you quickly adjust estimates based on client budget and preferences.
By mastering VoltPro's assembly features, you'll create more accurate estimates in less time, increase your business efficiency, and provide more consistent pricing to your customers. Start by creating a few core assemblies for your most common jobs, then expand your library as you become more comfortable with the system.
Need more help? Contact our support team at support@voltpro.com
By mastering VoltPro's assembly features, you'll create more accurate estimates in less time, increase your business efficiency, and provide more consistent pricing to your customers. Start by creating a few core assemblies for your most common jobs, then expand your library as you become more comfortable with the system.
Need more help? Contact our support team at support@voltpro.com
Contents
Get started for free
Skip the sales calls. Sign up with VoltPro for free and start creating one estimate per month, no strings attached.
Get started for free
Skip the sales calls. Sign up with VoltPro for free and start creating one estimate per month, no strings attached.
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Built for contractors.
© 2025 Abstract Digital Inc. All rights reserved.