Overview
Rate files define the dollar rates applied to resource codes when calculating cost estimates. Each project is assigned a rate file (via Project Settings), and that file’s rates are used to compute costs for every resource assignment in the project. Rates can represent hourly labor rates, unit costs for non-labor resources, or burden rates layered on top of direct labor.Permissions
Administrator role required.Rate Files
A rate file is a named container for rate details and rate sets. Multiple projects can share the same rate file, or each project can have its own.Rate File Fields
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Unique name for the rate file | Yes |
| Description | Optional description | No |
Creating a Rate File
- Click Add Rate File.
- Enter a name and description.
- Save. Add rate details and rate sets next.
Copying a Rate File
Use Copy to duplicate a rate file with all its rates and rate sets. Useful for creating a new year’s rate structure from an existing one.Rate Details
Rate details are the individual line-item rates within a rate file. Each rate detail maps to a resource code and defines the cost per unit.Rate Detail Fields
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Code | The resource code this rate applies to | Yes |
| Description | Label for this rate entry | No |
| Rate | The direct cost rate (hourly for labor, per unit for non-labor) | Yes |
| Burden Rate | An indirect cost rate applied on top of the direct rate | No |
| Effective Date | When this rate becomes active (for time-phased rate structures) | No |
Rate Sets
Rate sets combine a labor rate and a burden rate into a named package. Use rate sets when you have standard labor classifications with associated overhead rates that are applied together.Rate Set Fields
| Field | Description | Required |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Name for the rate set (e.g., “SY28 Rates”) | Yes |
| Labor Rate | The direct labor rate | Yes |
| Burden Rate | The indirect/overhead rate | No |
| BOE File | A supporting document (Basis of Estimate) attached to this rate set | No |
Effective Dates and Rate Changes
If your project spans multiple rate periods, you can create multiple rate detail entries for the same resource code with different effective dates. Dash360 applies the correct rate based on the date of each resource assignment period.Shared Rate Files
Rate files can be shared across projects. Changes to a shared rate file’s rates affect all projects using it. Review sharing status on the Projects page before making changes.When a project’s rate file is updated mid-project, recalculate the project’s costs from the Project Data Operations page to apply the new rates to existing resource assignments.
