Am I able to build a product as a project and then move to inventory

Thanks for posting here in the Community, pat-will.

To verify I fully understand what's happening, when you say build a product, are you trying to add a non-inventory item? Then, apply the item to a purchase order and change the product type as an inventory later on? If so, you can follow the steps below.

First, add the non-inventory product:

1. Go to the Gear > Products and services.
2. Click New and choose Non-Inventory as the type.
3. Enter the product information and click Save and close.

I've got a sample screenshot for a visual guide:

Next, create a project. If the feature is not yet enabled, you can follow Step 1 in this article: Set up and create projects in QuickBooks Online. 

1. On the left panel, click Projects.
2. Click New Project.
3. Give your project a memorable name, and select the customer you’re working for from the drop-down menu.
4. Add any notes or details about the project.
5. Hit Save.

Once done, you can create a purchase order and add the item you've created. 

1. In the project you created, click the Add to project button located in the upper right corner.
2. Choose Purchase order.
3. Enter the purchase order details, and add the product in the Item details section.
4. Click Save and close.

Finally, when it's time to change the product type, you can go back to the Product and services page. Open the item and click the Change type link. Here's a sample screenshot for reference:

You can also read these articles for more details:

• Change product and service item types in QuickBooks Online
• Set up and track your inventory in QuickBooks Online

If you're referring to something else, please let me know in the comments. I'll be right here to help you out again. Thanks.

@pat-will 

Consider having an inventory management app with a simple assembly feature to integrate with your QBO.

@RenjolynC 

Thanks for your response, this is close but not quite what I am looking for.

Lets say I have inventory product x.

I want to build 100 more units of product x. To build product x it takes several purchases from several different vendors, each vendor contibutes to the 100 units of product x. So i would like to set up a project to build the 100 units of x. After the build is complete I want to transfer the costs of that project and 100 units of x to inventory. So that QBO automatically calculates COGS when I sell 1 unit. I am unsure the best way to do this, if there is a better way I am open!

Thanks for your help!

Hello there, pat-will.

Instead of using the project function, you might want to consider the suggestion of Fiat Lux - ASIA which is to use a third-party inventory management app and integrate it with QuickBooks Online.

You can search for it online or within the program. Here's how:

1. Log in to your QBO account.
2. Select Apps on the left menu and go to the Find Apps tab.
3. Search an app and integrate it with QBO.

Aside from that, we also have the Intuit Developer page. There are QuickBooks users, engineers, and developers that can also share their ideas about the third-party application you want to use.

1. Go to this link and log in to your Intuit account: https://help.developer.intuit.com/s/.
2. Select QuickBooks Online under What do you need help with?.
3. Click Ask a Question and enter the details of your concern.
4. Select Ask.

We'll be right here if you need anything else. Have a great day!