When you add area-based assemblies to an estimate and a material is marked as 'Single-Use' (See advanced options) wastage is automatically calculated for you.

Setting Up Coverage-Based Materials

1. Mark Materials as Coverage-Based:

   • Edit a material in your catalog

   • Expand the "Advanced options" section

   • Toggle on "Coverage-Based Material"

   • Enter the coverage rate (how much area one unit covers)

   • For single-use items, check the "Single-Use" box. In the example below, this material covers 100 square feet per unit.
     
     

     

     
     
     

2. Understanding Coverage Rates:

   • Coverage rate is the area one unit can cover (e.g., 100 sqft per unit of adhesive)

   • Higher coverage rates mean fewer units needed for the same area

   • For precise estimates, be conservative with coverage rates (slightly underestimate coverage)

3. Single-Use vs. Reusable Materials:

   • Single-use materials cannot be partially used (e.g., tubes of sealant or adhesive)

   • When the "Single-Use" option is checked, VoltPro will always round up to the next whole unit. The remaining unused amount is called 'Wastage'

   • Reusable materials can be calculated with partial units if necessary

4. Using Single-Use materials in Assemblies:

   • Once you have created coverage-based single-use materials, add them to 'Area-based' assemblies
     
     
     

     

     
     
     

   • Apply this assembly in your next estimate. Specify the square footage required for the total job (550 sqft as seen below)
     
     

     

     
     

   • Since the material covers 100 sqft per unit, VoltPro will calculate that 6 units (600 sqft) are required. Leaving 50 sqft as unused remaining material. This is because we specified this material as 'Single-use' in our material catalog

   • The wastage amount is displayed on each line with the '!' icon in both the estimate editor and estimate detail pages
     
     

     

How wastage is calculated

1. Basic Quantity Calculation:

   • Total Area ÷ Coverage Rate = Base Quantity Needed

2. For Reusable Materials:

   • The system calculates exact quantities needed, which may include fractions

   • For example, if you need 1.2 units, that's what the estimate will show

3. For Single-Use Materials:

   • The system always rounds up to the next whole unit

   • For example, if you need 1.2 units, the estimate will show 2 units

   • The system calculates and displays the wastage amount (in this case, 0.8 units or 40%)

4. Wastage Indicators:

   • Materials with calculated wastage display a special icon in the estimate details for relevant line items

   • Hovering over this icon shows detailed wastage information:

     • Coverage capacity of the material

     • Expected wastage quantity

     • Wastage percentage of total material