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

  1. From your VoltPro dashboard, click on the "Materials" tab in the main navigation

  2. Select "Assemblies" from the dropdown menu

  3. 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

  1. From your VoltPro dashboard, click on the "Materials" tab in the main navigation

  2. Select "Assemblies" from the dropdown menu

  3. 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

  1. Name your assembly: "Residential Receptacle Installation - Complete"

  2. Description: "Full material list for standard receptacle installations, including all potential parts"

  3. Select "Per Unit" as the Assembly Unit Type

  4. 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

  5. Set the quantity to "1" for each item (you'll adjust as needed in the estimate)

  6. Add any standard markup you apply to materials

How to Use This Type of Assembly

When creating an estimate for a new receptacle installation:

  1. Add the "Residential Receptacle Installation - Complete" assembly to your estimate

  2. Review all items in the newly added assembly

  3. For any items not needed for this specific job, either:

    • Delete the item by clicking the "X" icon

  4. Adjust quantities of the remaining items based on the specific job requirements

  5. 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

  1. Name your assembly: "Residential Receptacle Installation - Complete"

  2. Description: "Full material list for standard receptacle installations, including all potential parts"

  3. Select "Per Unit" as the Assembly Unit Type

  4. 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

  5. Set the quantity to "1" for each item (you'll adjust as needed in the estimate)

  6. Add any standard markup you apply to materials

How to Use This Type of Assembly

When creating an estimate for a new receptacle installation:

  1. Add the "Residential Receptacle Installation - Complete" assembly to your estimate

  2. Review all items in the newly added assembly

  3. For any items not needed for this specific job, either:

    • Delete the item by clicking the "X" icon

  4. Adjust quantities of the remaining items based on the specific job requirements

  5. 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

  1. Name your assembly: "Commercial-Grade Outlet Installation"

  2. Description: "Standard materials and labor for installing one commercial-grade outlet"

  3. Select "Per Unit" as the Assembly Unit Type

  4. 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

  5. Set quantities as listed above (per single outlet)

  6. Add your standard markup for materials

How to Use This Type of Assembly

When estimating a job requiring multiple commercial outlets:

  1. Add the "Commercial-Grade Outlet Installation" assembly to your estimate

  2. In the "Number of assemblies" field, enter the total number of outlets required (e.g., 12)

  3. 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

  1. Name your assembly: "Commercial-Grade Outlet Installation"

  2. Description: "Standard materials and labor for installing one commercial-grade outlet"

  3. Select "Per Unit" as the Assembly Unit Type

  4. 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

  5. Set quantities as listed above (per single outlet)

  6. Add your standard markup for materials

How to Use This Type of Assembly

When estimating a job requiring multiple commercial outlets:

  1. Add the "Commercial-Grade Outlet Installation" assembly to your estimate

  2. In the "Number of assemblies" field, enter the total number of outlets required (e.g., 12)

  3. 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

  1. Name your assembly: "Warehouse LED High Bay Lighting System"

  2. Description: "Materials and labor to install LED high bay lighting per 500 sq ft of warehouse space"

  3. Select "By Area" as the Assembly Unit Type

  4. 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

  5. Set quantities as listed above (per 500 sq ft)

  6. Add your standard markup for materials

  7. Set the "Coverage Rate" to 500 sq ft for each item

How to Use This Type of Assembly

When estimating a warehouse lighting project:

  1. Add the "Warehouse LED High Bay Lighting System" assembly to your estimate

  2. Enter the total square footage of the warehouse (e.g., 20,000 sq ft)

  3. 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

  1. Name your assembly: "Warehouse LED High Bay Lighting System"

  2. Description: "Materials and labor to install LED high bay lighting per 500 sq ft of warehouse space"

  3. Select "By Area" as the Assembly Unit Type

  4. 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

  5. Set quantities as listed above (per 500 sq ft)

  6. Add your standard markup for materials

  7. Set the "Coverage Rate" to 500 sq ft for each item

How to Use This Type of Assembly

When estimating a warehouse lighting project:

  1. Add the "Warehouse LED High Bay Lighting System" assembly to your estimate

  2. Enter the total square footage of the warehouse (e.g., 20,000 sq ft)

  3. 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

  1. Open an existing estimate or create a new one

  2. Click on the "Add Assembly" button

  3. Select the desired assembly from the dropdown menu

  4. For Unit-Based Assemblies:

    • Enter the number of units required

  5. For Area-Based Assemblies:

    • Enter the total area to be covered (sq ft, sq m, etc.)

  6. 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:

  1. Change quantities of specific items as needed

  2. Update prices if needed for this particular job

  3. Add or remove items from the assembly group

  4. 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

  1. Open an existing estimate or create a new one

  2. Click on the "Add Assembly" button

  3. Select the desired assembly from the dropdown menu

  4. For Unit-Based Assemblies:

    • Enter the number of units required

  5. For Area-Based Assemblies:

    • Enter the total area to be covered (sq ft, sq m, etc.)

  6. 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:

  1. Change quantities of specific items as needed

  2. Update prices if needed for this particular job

  3. Add or remove items from the assembly group

  4. 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

  1. Go to the "Materials" tab and select "Assemblies"

  2. Find the assembly you want to edit and click on it

  3. Make your desired changes:

    • Update item quantities

    • Add new items

    • Remove obsolete items

    • Change markup percentages

  4. 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

  1. Go to the "Materials" tab and select "Assemblies"

  2. Find the assembly you want to edit and click on it

  3. Make your desired changes:

    • Update item quantities

    • Add new items

    • Remove obsolete items

    • Change markup percentages

  4. 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

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.

First Day Onboarding

Built for electrical contractors.

© 2025 Abstract Digital Inc. All rights reserved.

First Day Onboarding

Built for electrical contractors.

© 2025 Abstract Digital Inc. All rights reserved.