How does Cost Impact compute estimates?

Cost Impact derives rough-order-of-magnitude estimates from the markups you draw on a calibrated PDF. Each cost-eligible markup maps to a CSI item code (via element type, Material Hatch, or Khatam semantic match) with a unit cost from the cost library, scaled by your region factor and the markup's measured quantity.

What if I draw a markup but the cost panel stays at $0.00?

The most common cause is missing per-page calibration — every cost-eligible markup on an uncalibrated page produces quantity=0 and silently skips. Calibrate the page first, then click Recalculate. If markups exist but the Cost Impact panel reads $0.00, run the Recalculate-All action — historic rows can be missing when prior sessions hit silent-fail bugs.

Can I override an AI-suggested cost code?

Yes. Right-click any markup → "Set Element Type" and choose the correct category. The row updates immediately. Manual overrides appear in copper on the breakdown (vs. purple for AI suggestions) so you can scan which rows have been reviewed.

Is Cost Impact accurate enough for contract pricing?

No. Cost Impact is designed for early-stage budgeting and design-option comparison, not final contract pricing. The estimates are rough-order-of-magnitude only, with explicit confidence indicators on every row to flag uncertainty. Always verify before relying on it for professional engineering or commercial decisions.

Documentation

Cost Impact — Overview

Live rough-order-of-magnitude cost estimates as you mark up PDFs and 3D issues: first-time setup (calibrate scale), how it works, and the core budgeting workflows.

Cost Impact — Overview

The Cost Impact toolbar provides live rough-order-of-magnitude cost estimates as you create markups on PDFs or issues in the 3D viewer. It is designed for early-stage budgeting and design-option comparison — not for final contract pricing.

Figure 1 shows the toolbar with its breakdown panel open. The toolbar carries the running total, an overhead-and-profit percentage, an aggregate confidence reading, and the item count; the breakdown panel itemizes each line by code, description, quantity, unit, and total, then rolls them up into a subtotal, the OH&P amount, and the grand total.

The Cost Impact toolbar reading +$6,666.00 at OH&P 20% with 96% confidence and 3 items, above an open breakdown panel listing three door line items (interior wood, fire-rated, and exterior steel doors) with quantities and totals, summing to a $5,555.00 subtotal and a $6,666.00 grand total. — **Figure 1.** The Cost Impact toolbar with the breakdown panel open: each markup's cost line, rolled up into a subtotal, overhead and profit, and grand total.

Workflow

First-time cost setup on a fresh PDF

Open the PDF and switch to the Measure → Calibrate tool. Click two points on a known dimension (a printed scale bar, a wall labeled in feet, etc.), then enter the real-world length and unit. Repeat on every page that has cost-eligible markups — calibration is per-page, not per-document.
Without calibration, every cost-eligible draw produces a quantity of 0 and silently skips the calc. You'll see a one-time toast prompting you to calibrate, but it's much easier to do it up front.
Open the Cost Impact toolbar (the toolbar shows Cost Impact: $0.00 until rows exist). Click the region selector and pick your project's city — the engine multiplies base unit costs by the region factor (1.0 for Toronto, ~1.15 for Vancouver, etc.).
Region factor only affects future calc + Recalculate. Existing rows can be reapplied via the toolbar's Recalculate button.
Start drawing cost-eligible markups (Rectangle, Polygon, Material Hatch, Measure Area / Polylength, etc.). The Cost Impact total ticks up live as you draw. Open the breakdown panel (chevron next to the total) to see per-markup item codes + confidence dots.
Drawing a single-point linear measure, a calibration marker, a text annotation, or a stamp won't trigger costs — those are annotations, not material. See the eligibility table below.
For each markup that auto-resolved to MISC-001 or a clearly wrong code, right-click → Set Element Type and pick the correct category from the picker. Cost row updates immediately with the new code.

How It Works

Every time you draw a markup or create an issue, LocusBIM automatically:

Scans the issue or markup description for scope keywords (demo, replace, repair, install, paint)
Matches the linked BIM element's IFC type or Revit category to the best cost code in the library
Falls back to markup tool type when no element is linked
Generates composite rows for multi-scope work (e.g., "replace drywall" → demo + install + paint)
Multiplies quantity × unit cost × city region factor

Tip: For area and length markups, quantities are extracted from the PDF geometry using the PDF point standard (1 pt = 1/72 inch). Use Measure → Calibrate first for scaled drawings. When a markup is linked to a 3D element, IFC type gives the most accurate cost code.