Menu path
Set-Up > Set Up Pay Rates > Tilers' pay rates – variable (when using Tiles+ database)
🧾 What it does
When using the Tiles+ database setup, you can define custom labour item descriptions and rates for tile installation. These definitions are stored in a text file called LabourFile.dat and control the labour options available in your pay rate calculations.
Note: With the addition of accessories to the regular tiles database, the Tiles+ database and setup may be redundant for most applications.
🔧 How to create the labour file
You have two options to create your custom labour definitions:
Option 1: Copy and modify template
In Windows Explorer, navigate to your Roof Wizard directory
Copy the file LabourFile.TMP and rename it to LabourFile.dat
Open the new LabourFile.dat file in a text editor (Notepad or WordPad)
Make your modifications and save the file
Option 2: Save-As method
Open LabourFile.TMP in your text editor
Make your modifications
Use File > Save-As to create LabourFile.dat with your new descriptions and charges
⚠️ Warning: Only edit this file if you are proficient with text editors. Incorrect formatting will prevent the software from recognising the file, and you'll need to delete the corrupted file to return to default settings.
🛠 File format structure
The LabourFile.dat file uses a specific format with pipe-separated values:
Format: A|B|C|D|E
Field | Description |
A | 0 = Header Line, 1 = Main Cost, 2 = Additional Cost |
B | Line Item Description |
C | 1 = Item priced by Area, 2 = Item priced by Length |
D | Category (1 = Field Tiles, 2 = Ridge, 3 = Hip, 4 = Valley, 5 = Verge, 6 = Eaves, 7 = Abutments, 8 = Aprons, 9 = Box Gutters, 10 = Battens, 11 = Counter Battens, 12 = Insulation, 13 = Sarking/Underlay, 14 = Fall Protection, 15 = Downpipes, 20 = Extras) |
E | 0 = Do not include in pricing by default, 1 = Include in pricing by default |
🛠 Example file content
Here's a sample of the file structure:
#Tile Labour File #Line above must remain in file for it to be located by software #Format 0=Header, 1=Main Cost, 2=Add Cost > Group Description > Reporting Calculation Method 1=Area, 2=Len |Group - see below #1 = Field Tiles, 2 = Ridge, 3 = Hip, 4 = Valley, 5 = Verge, 6 = Eaves, 7 = Abutments, 8 = Aprons, 9 = Box Gutters, 10 = Battens, 11 = Counter Battens, 12 = Insulation, 13 = Sarking/Underlay, 14 = Fall Protection, 15 = Downpipes, 20 = Extras #Last option defines whether default is to include in Pricing or not 0=No, 1=Yes 0|AREA|0|1|0 1|Field Tiles|1|1|1 2|Extra Over for Nailing Coverings Twice|1|1|0 2|Extra Over for Clipping Coverings in Lieu of Nails|1|1|0 2|Extra Over for Clipping Coverings plus Nailing|1|1|0 0|RIDGE|0|2|0 1|Mortar Bed & Mechanically Fix All End|2|2|1 1|Two Ridge Dry Ridge System|2|2|0 2|Dentil Slips|2|2|0 2|Extra Over Mechanically Fix All Ridge|2|2|0 0|HIP|0|3|0 1|Mortar Bed & Mechanically Fix All End|2|3|1 1|Two Hip Dry Hip System|2|3|0 2|Dentil Slips|2|3|0 2|Extra Over Mechanically Fix All Hip|2|3|0 2|Arris/Bonnett Hip|2|3|0 2|Mitred Hip|2|3|0
Screen captured from the LabourFile.dat being edited in Windows Notepad
🔧 How the system works
The software automatically detects which labour system to use:
If LabourFile.dat exists in your user directory: Uses your custom definitions
If LabourFile.dat does not exist: Uses the standard LabourFile.TMP template
To return to standard groupings, simply delete the LabourFile.dat file.
🛠 Selecting your database
For the Tiles+ database, select it in the pay rates setup:
The selected tile details dialog for Tiles+ data file
🛠 Results of custom labour setup
Below are examples of the results of setting up your own defined labour rates:
Click the down arrow for a dropdown list of available pay scales that you have defined.
🔧 Using the labour rates
The pay rate is selected when the tile is selected to cover the roof under the Cover > Tiles command. Once the labour rate is defined, the labour pay scale for the installation of a job is set when the tile profile is selected.
🛠 Advanced features
Each dialog box allows you to set different values for:
Pitch intervals: Different rates based on roof pitch
Storey levels: Different rates based on building height
Use the Auto-Fill Interval and Auto-Fill Storey buttons to automatically fill fields with percentage increases from the first interval/storey value.
💡 Tips for success
You can define multiple labour files for different profiles, sub-contractors, or geographic areas
Apart from labour costs associated with accessories under Set-Up > Tiles+, most users will use the Set-Up > Set Up Pay Rates > Tilers' pay rates – variable menu
This system handles every permutation of reporting for your tile item installation options
⚠️ Important notes
Note: If you change the pay rate after selecting it, you must reselect the rate. This applies to any database of materials or reporting – if changed, you must re-select it and re-calculate the costing.
Remember: After creating a new labour file, test it on a simple job to ensure the descriptions are transposed correctly. If it works correctly, then you are ready to use it on real jobs. This is a good tip whenever you change or update a data file, whether a labour or material data file.