Question 1

What is EstiMatrix?

Accepted Answer

EstiMatrix is the first automated BOQ, estimating and rate-analysis platform for engineers in Bangladesh. It is built on the PWD Schedule of Rates, with live market prices, linked measurement sheets, rate analyses, material requisition and floor budgets, and exports to Excel, PDF and e-GP. It is engineered and built by Prime Base Engineering.

Question 2

Is EstiMatrix free?

Accepted Answer

Yes. EstiMatrix is 100% free to use today, with every feature. Paid plans may be introduced in future for extra storage and premium features; free accounts will always be able to create BOQs.

Question 3

Do I need to install anything?

Accepted Answer

No. EstiMatrix runs in any modern browser on a computer, tablet or phone. Nothing to install, nothing to update.

Question 4

Does EstiMatrix work without internet on site?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for interruptions. Every change is stored in your browser immediately. If the connection drops, the status turns amber (“Offline – saved locally”) and you can keep typing; everything syncs to the cloud automatically when the connection returns. You need internet to open a project the first time.

Question 5

Who is Prime Base Engineering?

Accepted Answer

Prime Base Engineering is the civil and structural engineering firm behind EstiMatrix — structural design, industrial PEB steel buildings, structural retrofitting, estimating and BOQ vetting across Bangladesh. Visit primebasebd.com or use the Contact page for a quote.

Question 6

How do I change the theme (light, dark, dim)?

Accepted Answer

Use the theme button in the top bar (☀). Choose Light, Dark, Dim or System default. Light is the default; your choice is remembered on this device across the website, the BOQ workspace and the knowledge base.

Question 7

How do I report a wrong rate or a bug?

Accepted Answer

Use Feedback & bug report in the footer or the Help menu of the workbook. Add screenshots (paste with Ctrl+V). You get a reference number, and the engineering team sees the page you were on.

Question 8

How do I create a new BOQ?

Accepted Answer

Click Create a BOQ (or New BOQ). Fill in the project information and district (which sets the PWD zone), choose the structure and unit system, the budget breakdown and the taxes & margins, then Create workbook. You can also start from a verified Prime Base Engineering project template.

Question 9

Can I switch between metres and feet after starting?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Format → Measurement units (or the ⇆ button in the toolbar) converts the whole project — dimensions, units, manual rates, analyses and bar lengths — with exact factors. Quantities and the budget stay the same, and a restore point lets you undo the change.

Question 10

How does the Enter key work in the measurement sheet?

Accepted Answer

Enter moves Description → Nos → Length → Breadth/Width → Height → new row, wherever you start. On the last row, Enter after the last dimension creates a new row and puts the cursor in it.

Question 11

Can I type formulas in measurement cells?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Type =12.5+15+8.25 or 20-1.5 in Nos, Length, Width or Height. The cell shows the result; click it to see the formula. Only numbers and + − × ÷ ( ) are allowed.

Question 12

How do I deduct door and window openings?

Accepted Answer

Add a deduction row (− Add deduction) or switch any row to − Deduct with the +/− button. Deducted rows are highlighted in light red and subtracted from the item total.

Question 13

Why are some measurement columns hidden?

Accepted Answer

Columns follow the item's unit: volume items show Nos, Length, Breadth and Height; area items Nos, Length and Width; running items Nos and Length; count items Nos only. A column that already holds a value is never hidden.

Question 14

Can I add my own column, like “identical floors”?

Accepted Answer

Yes. + Add column inserts a multiplier column before Nos or after the last dimension. Every value in it multiplies the row; a blank cell counts as 1.

Question 15

How do I measure reinforcement?

Accepted Answer

Reinforcement items (kg or MT) open the rebar take-off automatically: Nos, diameter (8–32 mm), length and a members/layers multiplier. EstiMatrix shows the unit weight it applies (e.g. 0.270 kg/ft for 12 mm), adds your lapping/wastage % and gives a rebar summary by diameter. For bar-by-bar detailing use the bar bending schedule.

Question 16

Can one item use another item's measurements?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Choose Link measurements from on the measurement sheet. The item mirrors every row of the source item live, with a “Linked to Item #” badge — ideal for surface preparation and bonding agent in jacketing.

Question 17

How do I rename or remove a section heading?

Accepted Answer

Click a heading on the BOQ sheet to rename it — all its items follow. The ⋯ menu lets you hide the heading in exports, move its items into the previous section, or delete the section with its items.

Question 18

How do I make part of a description bold?

Accepted Answer

Select the words in the description and press Ctrl+B (⌘B on Mac) or click the B button that appears. Bold text is kept in Excel, PDF and client links.

Question 19

What are next-item suggestions?

Accepted Answer

After you add an item, EstiMatrix suggests the most logical next item from standard construction sequencing — for example sand filling after excavation — with the matching PWD SoR item for your zone. Add it with one click or dismiss it; turn suggestions off from the View menu.

Question 20

How often is my work saved?

Accepted Answer

Every change is stored in your browser instantly, and saved to the cloud every 15 seconds when something changed (idle tabs send nothing). Ctrl+S saves immediately. Revision history keeps named revisions, automatic snapshots and restore points.

Question 21

Can I undo a big change like a VAT update?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Before a project-wide change EstiMatrix saves a restore point and shows “Undo global change”. Every restore point is also listed in Revision history.

Question 22

Which PWD Schedule of Rates editions are included?

Accepted Answer

Civil, Electro-mechanical, Retrofitting and Lift schedules, with every edition loaded. New projects use the editions in force today; you can choose a date to use the editions in force then, and re-price a BOQ to another edition later.

Question 23

What are PWD zones A, B, C and D?

Accepted Answer

Rates differ by region. Zone A: Dhaka and Mymensingh divisions; Zone B: Chattogram and Sylhet; Zone C: Khulna, Barishal and Gopalganj; Zone D: Rajshahi and Rangpur. Choosing the project district sets the zone.

Question 24

Do SoR rates include VAT and profit?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Published PWD SoR rates include materials, labour, overhead, profit and VAT. An official estimate totals them as they are; a contractor tender quote strips those mark-ups and applies its own.

Question 25

How do I find an SoR item quickly?

Accepted Answer

In + SoR item, type words (“40 MPa column”, “plaster 1:4”) or the item number (07.5.1). The search reads the item and the headings above it, and highlights the matches.

Question 26

How are SoR rates used in a feet-based project?

Accepted Answer

Rates are published per metric unit; EstiMatrix converts each one per sft, cft or rft from the published figure, so the cost is identical.

Question 27

Can I trust the SoR data?

Accepted Answer

The data is transcribed carefully from the official schedules, with flags on items that need checking. Verify critical rates against the printed schedule before contractual use, and report any difference through the feedback tracker.

Question 28

Does every SoR item come with a rate analysis?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The analysis is generated from the item's specification (mix ratio, mortar, thickness, grade) using standard norms and PWD basic rates for your zone, with market prices alongside. A balancing line keeps the published SoR rate.

Question 29

Can I write my own rate analysis?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Custom items come with a rate-analysis template; the analysed rate becomes the BOQ rate. Save analyses to your vault and items to your library for future projects.

Question 30

What dry-volume factor does EstiMatrix use for concrete?

Accepted Answer

1.54 for concrete and 1.33 for mortar, with 1 bag of cement = 1.25 cft = 50 kg. Change them per project in Tools → Dry-to-wet factors; generated analyses re-scale automatically.

Question 31

How do I see the difference between PWD and market rates?

Accepted Answer

Turn on PWD vs Market in the toolbar. Each item shows its market-based rate and the variance; the summary shows the overall overrun or margin.

Question 32

What does the Material Swapper do?

Accepted Answer

It swaps the rebar brand or grade, cement, coarse aggregate or sand across every linked line and shows the market-cost and BOQ-total effect before you apply. It also opens the PEB vs RCC optimizer.

Question 33

Where do market prices come from?

Accepted Answer

The market hub lists rod, cement, sand, stone, bricks, labour and equipment prices, with the source and date of each, and marks indicative estimates. Admin-confirmed prices are flagged as confirmed.

Question 34

What export formats are available?

Accepted Answer

Excel with live formulas and A4 PDF for the full Workbook, the Client BOQ and the Blank Quotation, plus an e-GP schedule in Excel.

Question 35

Can I export without EstiMatrix branding?

Accepted Answer

Yes. At the top of the Export menu choose EstiMatrix branding: None. Your document then carries only its own content and your letterhead. Minimal branding adds just one small credit line in the footer and a small QR code at the end — never a watermark across the page.

Question 36

How do I add my company letterhead and signatures?

Accepted Answer

File → Letterhead & sign-off: company name, address, contact, logo, client, consultant, drawing references, revision and date, and Prepared / Checked / Approved names. They appear on every PDF and Excel sheet.

Question 37

What is the QR code on exported BOQs?

Accepted Answer

A verification stamp. Scanning it opens a page with the estimate's summary, a link to current market prices and a one-tap meeting request with Prime Base Engineering — useful for directors and owners reviewing a printed BOQ.

Question 38

How does the e-GP export work?

Accepted Answer

It lists item number, description, unit, quantity and unit rate in figures, with the unit rate in English and Bengali words and the amount, in the CPTU e-GP column layout. Copy columns A–E into the e-GP form; check the tender's own schedule first.

Question 39

Can I share a live BOQ with a client instead of a PDF?

Accepted Answer

Yes. File → Share with client creates a read-only link — optionally password-protected, with or without rates, with an expiry date. The client sees the clean BOQ and total, never your analyses or profit build-up. Revoke it any time.

Question 40

How do I get subcontractor quotations?

Accepted Answer

Export the Blank Quotation (Excel or PDF): items and quantities with empty, shaded rate cells and amount formulas ready. You can also tick “request an official execution quote from Prime Base Engineering”.

Question 41

Why should I create an account?

Accepted Answer

Without an account your work is stored only temporarily in your browser — clearing the cache or cookies erases it. A free account backs up and syncs every BOQ, custom item and rate analysis to the cloud and across devices. Work you did as a guest moves into the account automatically.

Question 42

Why do I need to verify my email?

Accepted Answer

New accounts stay inactive until the address is confirmed with the link or the 6-digit code we email you. This keeps accounts secure and lets you reset your password. Temporary or disposable addresses are not accepted.

Question 43

I did not receive the verification email.

Accepted Answer

Check the spam or promotions folder, then use “send a new code” on the sign-up page (up to three codes an hour). Make sure the address is spelled correctly; work and personal addresses both work.

Question 44

How do I reset my password?

Accepted Answer

Click Forgot password? on the sign-in page and enter your email. A single-use reset link valid for 60 minutes arrives by email. Resetting signs the account out on every device.

Question 45

Is my data secure?

Accepted Answer

Passwords are hashed with bcrypt, email addresses and phone numbers are encrypted at rest, every connection uses HTTPS, and sessions are protected cookies. Your projects are visible only to you unless you create a client link.

Question 46

How do I refer a project to Prime Base Engineering?

Accepted Answer

On your dashboard, open Refer a project. If your company's upcoming factory, retrofitting or civil project goes ahead with Prime Base Engineering, you receive one year of EstiMatrix Premium free and a referral honorarium if the project is awarded.

Frequently asked questions