About setting up parts and part classes for lumber

You can set up cut materials as separate part records and then use the part classes to manage the pricing blocks. For each length of dimensional lumber, create a separate part record. When entering a part record for lumber, enter the dimensions in the Description box before any other description. When you update prices using the Board Footage window, Sage 100 Contractor uses the dimensions to compute the new cost or billing rates.

Sage 100 Contractor assumes that you enter the first two dimensions in inches and the third dimension in feet. If you want to indicate different dimensions, use a quotation mark (") to indicate measurements in inches and an apostrophe (‘) to indicate measurements in feet. For example, you can enter 2x4x8 or 2x4x72" as the dimensions.

You can also enter fractions or decimals. For example, you can enter 2´4´92-1/4" Doug Fir #2 or 2´4´92.25" Doug Fir #2. Note that a hyphen separates the fraction from the dimension. The hyphen is necessary for Sage 100 Contractor to recognize the fraction.

When designing part classes for lumber, base the classes on the lumber species, then grade, then dimensions, and finally length. Within each species and grade, prices per board foot sometimes depend on the lengths you want to purchase. Some vendors discount the prices for lengths under 10 feet. Others charge higher prices for lengths over 16 feet. For lengths over 20 feet, most vendors charge premium prices at each cut length.

Therefore, you should create a part class for each of these price blocks within a species and grade. This will allow you to locate the dimensional lumber you need when creating a takeoff. This also allows you to update the lumber costs and billing rates by part class.

For example, a vendor charges $0.38 per linear foot for lengths up to 20 feet and $0.87 per linear foot for lengths 20 feet and above for Douglas Fir #2 2x4s. You would then set up two part classes for Douglas fir 2x4s based on where the price breaks exist.