Menu path
Set-Up > Pay Rates > Tilers' Pay Rates - Variable
What it does
This feature lets you define tile installer pay schedules based on storey, line-item and user-defined pitch intervals. The pay rates are applied to the Tiles+ database when Tiles+ is selected as the database to use in System Preferences.
You may define as many tile pay rates as you need – for example, union or non-union rates; or sub-contractor A and sub-contractor B rates. Keep in mind that more rates mean more maintenance when rates change.
IMPORTANT NOTE: With the addition of Accessories to the regular Tiles material database structure, the Tiles+ structure is redundant for most users.
Getting Started with Tiles+
The quick way to create the user defined group description file is to copy the file “LabourFile.TMP” to “LabourFile.DAT” in Windows Explorer, and then make any modifications using a Windows-based text editor such as NotePad or WordPad.
Only attempt to edit this file if you are proficient in the use of the editor program. To return to standard groupings, the user must remove the file “LabourFile.DAT” so that the “LabourFile.TMP” in the user directory is found instead.
You might also open LabourFile.TMP in the editor and use File > Save-As to create the LabourFile.DAT with your new descriptions and charges.
This will handle every permutation of Reporting for your tile item installation options.
The format of the LabourFile.dat:
🧾 Setup fields and controls
Field | Description |
Name | The name by which you select this pay rate in future |
Roof Unit | The basis on which the costs are applied and the multiplier |
Storey | The storey to which these values relate. You can have up to 10 storeys for one pay rate |
Pitch intervals | Values that reflect those you set with the Intervals button. For each pitch interval value, you get a column of numbers associated with a line item |
Roof / sqm (sqFt) | The installer's rate to lay tiles on the roof |
Other line items | Relate to hip, valley, gable and barge finishes you select under Cover > Select-tile |
🔧 Control buttons
Button | Function |
Select | Select an existing pay rate schedule |
Delete | Delete an existing pay rate schedule |
Add | Add a new pay rate schedule |
Update | Update an existing pay rate schedule |
Auto-Fill Interval | Automatically fills the table with the loading for each pitch interval |
Auto-Fill Storey | Automatically fills the table with the loading for each storey |
Intervals | Set up pitch intervals for the pay rate calculations |
🛠 Auto-fill options
Auto-Fill Interval:
Auto-Fill Storey:
Setting Intervals:
💾 How pay rates are saved
Once the pricing table has the appropriate rates for each job function completely filled in (don't forget to do each storey), the file is saved using the Add button.
Standard pricing files are stored within the software structure. User-defined pricing files are stored in a text file format. For example, a labour pay rate file called "Macquarie-Medium" will be saved as Macquarie-Medium.DPT in the form of:
The pay rate is selected when the tile is selected to cover the roof under the Cover > Tiles command (when Tiles+ is turned on).
💡 Editing pay rate files externally
The <filename>.DPT file is saved as a text file, allowing you to make changes in external programs such as Notepad, Wordpad, or Excel. This is useful for major pricing changes across the board, as changing values in columns is easier in Excel.
For most users, open the pricing file in AppliCad (Costing > Tile-Pay) and edit one item at a time. Once complete, select Update to save the changes.
🔧 Editing line items
To edit a line item, highlight that column by clicking the pitch interval label at the top of the column.
⚠️ Important notes
With the addition of Accessories to the regular Tiles material database structure, the Tiles+ structure is redundant for most users.
You can have up to 10 storeys per pay rate
Use the Intervals button to set up pitch intervals before creating pay rates
Always remember to click Update after making changes to save them