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      Release notes - Sept 2025

      In this article

      Release summary

      We’ve listened to your feedback and added updates that save time, reduce errors, and give you more control over your projects. 

      This release delivers major improvements to the labour applications approval process, alongside new professional tools for takeoff drawings, and greater admin control for tasks that previously required Chalkstring support.

      Why these changes matter

      • Time savings: Labour applications can be reviewed in half the time; fixed costs imported in minutes instead of hours. 
      • Error reduction: Inline edits, structured views, and direct admin tools reduce mistakes caused by manual workarounds. 
      • Professional outputs: Clearer, client-ready takeoff drawings with legends and shapes. 
      • Independence: Users can self-serve key admin tasks without relying on Chalkstring support. 
      • Future positioning: Carbon tracking lays groundwork for sustainability requirements. 

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      New features 

      Takeoff Sketching

      You can now draw professional markups using new shape tools: rectangles, ovals, arrows, and revision clouds. 

      Benefit: Produce professional, client-ready drawings without extra documentation.


      For further details on this see article: Takeoff - Sketching

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      Takeoff Legend 

      You can now add a legend directly onto drawings to show product names, colours, and shapes.

      Benefit: Drawings look more professional and can be understood instantly by clients and subcontractors, without flipping between pages.

      For further details on this see article: Takeoff - Legend

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      Admin Controls Without Support Tickets

      • Bulk fixed cost import: Download template and import hundreds of fixed cost items at once. 
      For further details on this see article: Completing the bulk fixed cost import spreadsheet
      • Take tendered assessments offsite: Reset tenders back to “Submitted” without command line support.
      For further details on this see article: How to a take an accepted 'onsite' tender offsite
      • Uncertify outgoing applications: Revert approved applications back to “Sent” status for correction. 

      For further details on this see article: How to 'Uncertify' an application for payment

      Why this matters: Reduces dependency on Chalkstring support, speeding up corrections and onboarding. 

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      Improvements 

      Faster Labour Application Reviews 

        • Review applications in a new grouped table view organised by subcontractor. 
          • Expand/collapse rows to see assessment, zone, activity, and values. 
          • Edit rates and quantities directly in the review view.
          For further details on this see article: How to review and approve labour applications

          Start Tracking Carbon Impact 

          • New optional field for recording a material’s carbon footprint (kg CO₂e per unit). 
          • Carbon totals automatically included in material bill exports
          For further details on this see article: Adding and editing materials

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          Questions or Feedback? 

          If you have any questions about these new features or need assistance, please contact our helpdesk at help@chalkstring.com. 

          Thank you for your continued support and feedback that helps us improve Chalkstring for your business needs. 

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