Every job you take on is a project in Buildscout. A project goes by its address, and Buildscout uses that address to look up the site's planning history.
Create a project
Click Projects in the sidebar.
Click New project at the top right.
Under Project address, start typing the address and pick it from the list. If the job has no address yet, click No address yet? Name the project instead and type a Project name.
Add a Project description (optional): a line about the work.
Add an Estimated value (optional): what you expect the job to be worth. Only your team sees it.
If you know roughly when the job runs, click Add when the job starts and finishes under When (optional). Pick a Start, then set the Finish either as a Date or as a Length in weeks or months from the start.
Click Create.
The project opens on its own page.
What to do next
At the top of the project's Overview are the next steps, one button each:
Add subcontractors: send a link, or invite them.
Upload documents: drawings, contracts, specs.
Add photos: the site as it stands.
Add a task: something that needs doing.
Progress report: a PDF for the architect, QS or lender.
Import from planning: the council's drawings and photos for the job. This shows until a planning application is linked to the project.
The start, finish and value you gave are on the right, under Status & dates and Details, ready to change as the job firms up.
Change a project's details
Name and description: click Edit project at the top of the overview, make your changes, and click Save changes.
Dates: click Change dates (or Add dates) in the Status & dates card.
Estimated value: click the edit button beside Estimated value, or Add if there isn't one.
Who manages it: under Managed by, tick the team members who manage the job. Whoever creates a project starts as its manager. Managers are told when someone booked on site hasn't arrived and when the project's status changes. With nobody ticked, the admins and the team are told.
Why do the dates matter?
The forecast on the Projects page is worked out from each open project's start and finish. A project without both dates isn't on the forecast.
Why can't I create a project?
Your plan includes a set number of active projects at a time, and you've reached it. The message says how many, for example Your plan includes 5 active projects at a time. If you manage your team's billing, the message has an Add more button. Otherwise, ask whoever manages your billing. You can also mark a finished job complete, or archive one, to free up room. See How to forecast, complete and archive projects.
Why does it say the project needs an address or a name?
A project goes by its address. Without one, it needs a name instead, so Create asks you to Add the project's address, or give it a name. The same goes for editing: a project with no address can't have its name cleared, and you'll see Give the project a name — it has no address to go by.