Materials Overview
The Materials section helps you:
Track inventory levels
Request materials for projects
Create and track orders
Manage suppliers
Monitor deliveries
Accessing Materials
Open your project
Click "Materials" tab
Choose subtab:
Inventory: Track materials on hand
Requests: Material requests for project
Orders: Purchase orders and deliveries
Note: Materials tab available after "Estimating" stage.
Inventory Management
Viewing Inventory
Go to Materials → Inventory
See all materials:
Name and description
Current quantity
Unit of measure
Location/storage
Last updated
Adding to Inventory
Click "Add Material"
Enter details:
Name: Material name
Description: Details about material
Quantity: Current amount
Unit: Each, square feet, linear feet, etc.
Supplier: Where purchased
Location: Storage location
Save material
Updating Inventory
Find material in list
Click "Edit"
Update quantity
Add notes about change
Save updates
Inventory Tracking
Track quantities in real-time
See usage history
Monitor low stock levels
Generate inventory reports
Material Requests
Creating a Request
Go to Materials → Requests
Click "Create Request"
Fill in details:
Material Name: What you need
Quantity: How much needed
Unit: Measurement unit
Phase: Link to building phase
Needed By: Deadline date
Notes: Special requirements
Save request
Request Status
Requests have statuses:
Pending: Not yet ordered
Ordered: Purchase order created
Received: Materials delivered
Cancelled: Request cancelled
Managing Requests
View all requests
Filter by status
Link to orders
Track fulfillment
Purchase Orders
Creating an Order
Go to Materials → Orders
Click "Create Order"
Enter order details:
Supplier: Vendor name
Order Date: When placing order
Delivery Date: Expected arrival
Items: Materials ordered
Total Amount: Order total
Status: Pending, Shipped, Delivered
Order Items
Add items to order:
Click "Add Item"
Select material from request or inventory
Enter quantity
Set unit price
Total calculates automatically
Order Status
Track order progress:
Pending: Order placed, awaiting shipment
Shipped: On the way
Delivered: Received
Cancelled: Order cancelled
Updating Orders
Open order
Update status as it progresses
Add delivery notes
Update delivery date if changed
Save changes
Suppliers
Managing Suppliers
Go to company settings
Access Suppliers section
Add supplier information:
Company name
Contact person
Email and phone
Address
Payment terms
Notes
Supplier Information
Store contact details
Track preferred suppliers
Record payment terms
Maintain supplier history
Material Linking
Link to Phases
Associate materials with building phases
Track phase-specific needs
See material requirements by phase
Plan phase materials
Link to Budget
Connect materials to budget line items
Track material costs
Compare to budget
Generate cost reports
Delivery Tracking
Tracking Deliveries
View orders with "Shipped" status
Monitor expected delivery dates
Update when materials arrive
Mark order as "Delivered"
Update inventory quantities
Delivery Notifications
Get alerts for upcoming deliveries
Notify when orders ship
Alert when materials arrive
Track delivery status
Tips
Use Consistent Names: Easier to find materials
Track Quantities: Keep inventory current
Link to Phases: Better planning
Set Delivery Dates: Plan ahead
Update Status: Keep orders current
Use Suppliers: Maintain vendor relationships
Common Questions
Q: Can I track materials across multiple projects?
A: Materials are project-specific. Use company inventory for shared materials.
Q: How do I handle materials that arrive damaged?
A: Update order status, add notes, and create new request if replacement needed.
Q: Can I create orders from requests?
A: Yes, link requests to orders. Order fulfillment updates request status.
Q: How do I know when to reorder?
A: Monitor inventory levels. Set low-stock alerts if available.
Q: Can I import materials from a spreadsheet?
A: Check for import functionality in materials tab or contact support.