# How to build a proposal budget manually Build a proposal budget directly in Drum when you want to price an opportunity without importing a workbook. The finished budget will define the proposed project structure and internal price. <!-- DRAFT: Verify every interface label and permission requirement in a current customer account before publishing. --> ## Before you begin You need: - An opportunity with a proposal - Permission to view and edit proposal budgets - The resource types, rate card, and third-party cost types required to price the work ## 1. Open the proposal budget 1. Open **Opportunities** and select the opportunity you want to price. 2. Open **Proposals** and select the proposal. 3. Open **Budget**. <!-- TODO: Confirm whether the current interface calls this tab “Budget” or “Project Budget”. --> You should see the deliverables and tasks that came from the proposal template. ## 2. Set the project structure Review the existing deliverables and tasks before entering budget values. 1. Rename, add, remove, or reorder deliverables to match the proposed scope. 2. Add the tasks your team will use to deliver and track the work. 3. Set each task type and unit where required. If you need to replace the entire structure, use **Change Structure** before entering budget data. Changing the structure removes the existing budget values. <!-- TODO: Confirm the warning Drum displays before replacing the structure. --> ## 3. Add labour to each task For each task that requires labour: 1. Select the resource type that will perform the work. 2. Enter the estimated time or quantity. 3. Check the applied billable and cost rates. 4. Add another resource type if more than one role will work on the task. Confirm that the task price updates as you add resources and time. ## 4. Add third-party costs Add subcontractor fees, disbursements, travel, or other external costs to the tasks that will incur them. For each cost, confirm its resource type, quantity, cost rate, billable rate, and markup where applicable. <!-- TODO: Capture the exact controls for adding a budget expense and confirm whether this step should link to a separate cost-pricing guide. --> ## 5. Review the budget Check the totals at task, deliverable, and proposal level. Before you finish, confirm that: - Every priced task has the intended resource type and quantity - Labour and third-party costs use the correct rates - The budget structure is suitable for the project that will be created if the proposal is accepted - The total internal price is ready to be reflected in the client-facing proposal ## Check the result The proposal budget should now show the intended project structure, cost, and price. It is ready to be synced to the client-facing proposal or converted to a project after acceptance. ## Troubleshooting ### A task has no price Check that the task has a resource type, a non-zero quantity, and an applicable billable rate. ### The budget data disappeared after changing the structure **Change Structure** replaces the existing structure and its budget values. Rebuild the budget from the selected template, or restore the previous values if your account provides that option. <!-- TODO: Confirm whether restoration or undo is available. Remove the final clause if it is not. --> ## Related guides - [How to build a proposal budget from Excel](/how-to/build-a-proposal-budget-from-excel/) - [How to convert an accepted proposal to a project](/how-to/convert-an-accepted-proposal-to-a-project/)

Build a proposal budget directly in Drum when you want to price an opportunity without importing a workbook. The finished budget will define the proposed project structure and internal price.

Before you begin

You need:

• An opportunity with a proposal
• Permission to view and edit proposal budgets
• The resource types, rate card, and third-party cost types required to price the work

1. Open the proposal budget

1. Open Opportunities and select the opportunity you want to price.
2. Open Proposals and select the proposal.
3. Open Budget.

You should see the deliverables and tasks that came from the proposal template.

2. Set the project structure

Review the existing deliverables and tasks before entering budget values.

1. Rename, add, remove, or reorder deliverables to match the proposed scope.
2. Add the tasks your team will use to deliver and track the work.
3. Set each task type and unit where required.

If you need to replace the entire structure, use Change Structure before entering budget data. Changing the structure removes the existing budget values.

3. Add labour to each task

For each task that requires labour:

1. Select the resource type that will perform the work.
2. Enter the estimated time or quantity.
3. Check the applied billable and cost rates.
4. Add another resource type if more than one role will work on the task.

Confirm that the task price updates as you add resources and time.

4. Add third-party costs

Add subcontractor fees, disbursements, travel, or other external costs to the tasks that will incur them.

For each cost, confirm its resource type, quantity, cost rate, billable rate, and markup where applicable.

5. Review the budget

Check the totals at task, deliverable, and proposal level.

Before you finish, confirm that:

• Every priced task has the intended resource type and quantity
• Labour and third-party costs use the correct rates
• The budget structure is suitable for the project that will be created if the proposal is accepted
• The total internal price is ready to be reflected in the client-facing proposal

Check the result

The proposal budget should now show the intended project structure, cost, and price. It is ready to be synced to the client-facing proposal or converted to a project after acceptance.

Troubleshooting

A task has no price

Check that the task has a resource type, a non-zero quantity, and an applicable billable rate.

The budget data disappeared after changing the structure

Change Structure replaces the existing structure and its budget values. Rebuild the budget from the selected template, or restore the previous values if your account provides that option.

Related guides

• How to build a proposal budget from Excel
• How to convert an accepted proposal to a project