You have the project estimate in a BC3 file. The job has been awarded. Now you need to load it into your management platform and start controlling costs from day one.
With TrowelApp, importing a BC3 file takes less than a minute. In this guide you'll see how to do it step by step, what happens to the data once imported, and how to get the most out of it from the very first moment.
Why import the estimate in BC3 instead of entering it manually?
The answer is simple: time and accuracy.
A medium-sized construction estimate can have between 200 and 800 line items. Entering them manually into any platform takes hours, and every keyed-in item is an opportunity for error. A mistyped price, a wrong measurement, or an omitted item can cost thousands of euros on site.
Importing the same estimate from a BC3 file takes seconds. TrowelApp automatically processes the entire hierarchical structure of the file: chapters, subchapters, line items, measurements, and unit prices. The result is exactly the same estimate, with no transcription errors, ready to work with.
Also, when the estimate comes from the architect or the public administration in BC3 format, importing it directly guarantees that you are working with exactly the same data as the rest of the project stakeholders.
Not sure what the BC3 format is? Read this first: BC3 file: what it is, what it's for, and how it's used in construction management →
What you need before importing
Before you start, check that you have:
The BC3 file on your device. The file must have the .bc3 extension. If the estimate comes from Presto in .phz format, you must first export it from Presto as FIEBDC. See: How to convert a Presto file into BC3: step-by-step guide →
Access to TrowelApp with editing permissions. Only users with a manager or administrator role can create and import estimates. If your access is read-only, contact your account administrator.
The project created in TrowelApp. The BC3 import is done inside an existing project. If you haven't created the project yet, do that first from the main panel.
How to import a BC3 file in TrowelApp: step by step
The full process has 6 steps:
Step 1 — Open your project in TrowelApp. From the main panel, select the project where you want to import the estimate. If the project doesn't exist yet, create it first with the basic data (name, client, dates).
Step 2 — Go to the Estimates module. Inside the project, open the Estimates section from the left-hand side menu.
Step 3 — Click "Import". At the top of the estimates screen you'll find the Import button. Click it.
Step 4 — Select the BC3 file. Your device's file browser will open. Locate the BC3 file (.bc3 extension) and select it. TrowelApp accepts BC3 files in FIEBDC-3 format, which is the current industry standard in Spain.
Step 5 — TrowelApp processes the file automatically. In a few seconds, TrowelApp analyzes the BC3 content and builds the complete structure of the estimate: chapters, subchapters, line items, measurements, and unit prices. You'll see the structure on screen before confirming.
Step 6 — Check and save. Verify that the structure has been imported correctly: that the number of chapters and line items is what you expected and that the totals match the original. Click Save to confirm the import.
From this moment on, the estimate is ready to be used as the basis for cost control, purchasing, and project invoicing.
What happens to the data after the import
Once the BC3 is imported, the estimate in TrowelApp is not a static document. It is the starting point of the entire economic management of the project.
Each line item of the imported estimate is a cost container. When you record a materials purchase, TrowelApp automatically links it to the corresponding line item of the estimate. Cost control updates in real time: at any moment you can see how much you've spent versus what was budgeted, item by item.
Certifications are generated from the same structure. You don't have to create a new structure to certify work progress. TrowelApp uses the same hierarchy of chapters and line items from the imported BC3 for certifications.
Estimate changes are handled as revisions. If the estimate is modified during the works (variations, redesigns, additions), TrowelApp lets you manage those revisions without losing the history of the original estimate.
How to link the imported BC3 with purchasing and cost control
Once the estimate is imported, the next step is to activate real economic control. In TrowelApp:
To link purchases to the estimate: when you create a purchase order, select the estimate line item the expense belongs to. TrowelApp automatically accumulates the committed cost against that item's budget.
To see the deviation in real time: from the project control panel, the Cost Control section shows, for each line item, the budgeted amount, the actual accumulated cost (confirmed purchases + allocated costs), and the deviation. With no manual calculation needed.
To generate a certification: from the Certifications section, enter the percentage of progress or the executed measurement of each line item. TrowelApp automatically calculates the certified amount and generates the PDF document.
Common errors when importing BC3 into TrowelApp
Trying to import a Presto .PHZ file directly. The .PHZ file is Presto's native format — it is not a BC3. It must first be exported from Presto in FIEBDC format. How to convert a Presto file into BC3: step-by-step guide →
The BC3 file is encoded with an incompatible character set. If the file was exported with ISO-8859-1 encoding (common in older versions of Presto), some special characters (accents, ñ) may appear incorrectly. Solution: when exporting from Presto, select UTF-8 encoding.
The BC3 file doesn't include cost breakdowns. Some programs export the BC3 without the breakdowns of materials and labor. TrowelApp imports what the file contains: if the breakdowns aren't in the BC3, they won't appear in TrowelApp. Solution: check in the source program that the export includes breakdowns.
Imported line items have prices of 0. This can happen if the BC3 file was exported only with the structure (chapters and descriptions) but without unit prices. Review the export settings in the source program.
Frequently asked questions
Does TrowelApp import any BC3 file?
TrowelApp imports BC3 files in FIEBDC-3 format, which is the current industry standard. Files generated by Presto, CYPE, Billdin, and most price databases (ITeC, BDC IVE, CYPE) are fully compatible.
How many line items can the BC3 I import have?
There is no set limit on line items. TrowelApp has been tested with estimates of several thousand line items without performance problems.
Can I import several BC3 files into the same project?
Yes. A project can hold several imported estimates: the original, a redesign, an addition. Each one is managed independently and can be compared with the others.
Can I modify the estimate after importing it?
Yes. Once imported, the estimate is editable in TrowelApp: you can add line items, modify prices, or adjust measurements. Changes are recorded with date and user for full traceability.
Can I export the TrowelApp estimate in BC3 format?
Yes. TrowelApp lets you export the estimate in BC3 format to send it to other programs or to the public administration, keeping the structure of chapters, line items, measurements, and prices.
Conclusion
Importing an estimate with BC3 files in TrowelApp is the most efficient starting point for managing any construction project. In under a minute, the whole estimate structure is available for cost control, purchasing, and certifications, with no transcription errors and no duplicated work.
If you still use Excel or enter estimates by hand, you're wasting time and taking on unnecessary risks. Digitizing the estimate from the BC3 format is the first step toward more accurate and profitable construction management.
You may also be interested in
- BC3 file: what it is, what it's for, and how it's used in construction management →
- How to convert a Presto file into BC3: step-by-step guide →
How Trowel helps you
Want to see BC3 import in action with one of your real estimates? Request a free demo and we'll show you the full process, from the import to the first cost control report, with no commitment.
