# Build a budget

> Turn your takeoff into a priced budget. Create it, add assemblies, link quantities, set margins and send it to the proposal.

Source: https://automatedconstruction.io/tidy/docs/guides/build-a-budget
Section: How to use Tidy

## 1. Create the budget

Open the bid's **Budget** tab and click **Create budget**. Or go to **Budgets**, click **New budget**, pick the project and the type (usually **Estimate**), and click **Create budget**.

## 2. Pick the takeoff

In the budget header, use **Quantities from** to choose the workspaces that feed this budget.

## 3. Add assemblies

1. In **Budget lines**, click **Add assembly**.
2. Choose the type: **Material**, **Labour**, **Equipment** or **Subcontract**.
3. Choose **From the library** to start from a saved assembly, or **Start blank**.
4. Name it and set its **Scope category**.

## 4. Link the quantity

In the assembly, set the **Takeoff source**: the file, the subject and which measurement to use (area, length, perimeter, volume or count). The quantity now follows the takeoff. Use **Manual quantity** for anything you did not measure.

## 5. Price the parts

- **Material**: add components with unit, pack size, waste and price. **Choose from library** pulls in saved ones.
- **Labour**: add roles and price them by rate, hours or crew-days.
- **Equipment**: add items with a daily, weekly or monthly rate.
- **Subcontract**: list the inclusions and level the quotes. See [Level subcontractor quotes](https://automatedconstruction.io/tidy/docs/guides/level-sub-quotes).

## 6. Set margins and tax

In the cost summary, set the margin for each type and the labour burden. Admins can change tax for the bid. Mark an assembly **Alternate** to price it without adding it to the total.

## 7. Keep it in step with the takeoff

When someone changes the takeoff, open **Budget actions > Sync takeoff quantities**.

## 8. Send it to the proposal

Click **Send to proposal**, pick the proposal (or create one) and confirm. Each assembly becomes one proposal line at its sell price.

## Let the agent help

- "Build a budget for the ACT ceilings from the takeoff, using our standard 2x2 assembly and a 4-person crew."
- "Fill the component prices from this supplier quote." (Attach the PDF.)
- "Which assemblies have no takeoff link?"

Lines the agent wrote are flagged. **Budget actions > Review all** walks you through them.

## Related

- [Budgets](https://automatedconstruction.io/tidy/docs/features/budgets)
- [Cost Library](https://automatedconstruction.io/tidy/docs/features/cost-library)
- [Request vendor pricing](https://automatedconstruction.io/tidy/docs/guides/request-vendor-pricing)