What data your catalog needs to show up in contractors' quotes

Short answer: For a contractor to quote with your product, the catalog has to answer four questions without anyone picking up the phone: what it costs, what unit it is sold in, how much of the job it covers and what it is compatible with.

Why it matters

A contractor calculates quantities by task: square feet of tile, linear feet of pipe, gallons of paint. A store catalog is usually written in selling units: cartons, bags, cans, sticks. If the data that translates one into the other is missing, the product cannot be quoted and the contractor picks one that can.

The five minimum data points

  1. A clear selling unit. "Carton", "50 lb bag", "1 gal can", "10 ft stick". No ambiguity.
  2. Container contents. How many usable units it holds: square feet per carton of tile, gallons per can, feet per roll.
  3. Coverage. How much it covers: square feet per gallon of paint, pounds per square foot of adhesive, units per square foot.
  4. Dimensions and technical specification. Length, width, diameter, standard, grade or thickness, as applicable.
  5. Compatibilities. What it is installed with and what it is not, for example the door type for a lock.

How to organize it by task

A contractor thinks "install a bathroom sink", not "plumbing fixtures". If your catalog lets them put a task together (sink, faucet, trap, supply lines, sealants), the contractor adds everything at once and your store keeps the whole cart.

Mistakes that block a product

  • A price with no unit: a bare number, without saying whether it is per carton, per foot or per can.
  • The same product under three different names.
  • A photo with no specification.
  • Outdated prices. An old price in a quote ends in a complaint at the counter.

How it connects with Obra Maestra

If you are a store, your catalog connects through your online store, a product feed, an API or a spreadsheet, and Obra Maestra keeps prices up to date. Integrating it is free, with no commission on sales. To integrate it, leave your details on the page for stores and we will help you connect it.

If you are a brand, data sheets, coverage and compatibilities are loaded into Mae, which suggests your product when it fits the project. To see it with your category, book a demo from the page for brands.

Checklist

  • Every product has a selling unit
  • Every product has container contents
  • Application products (paint, adhesive, mortar) have coverage
  • Dimensions or technical specification are included
  • Relevant compatibilities are stated
  • The price is up to date and states whether it is before or after tax

Keep reading

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Frequently asked questions

What happens if my catalog has no coverage data?
It is worth adding. Coverage is what makes it possible to calculate how much material a job takes, and it is part of what brands load into Mae so their product is suggested when it fits.
Do I need an online store?
No. A spreadsheet with products and prices is enough to start.
Should prices include tax?
Always state it. Making clear whether the price includes tax avoids confusion when quoting.
How much does it cost to integrate my catalog?
It is free, with no commission on sales.