estimateing software - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

G&S Show · 11-02-2009, 08:16 AM

You guys told me before but could you tell me again -who do you guys use to help with estimates - i do it the old fashen way mat cost add 15% time -then double it - and that comes in just close after its all said and done
do you guys get money up front -how much i do 50% 25% 20% 5%
is that what everyone else does
thanks guys were new and not wanting to make to many mistakes thanks again
steve

TileLady · 11-02-2009, 09:18 AM

Willie T · 11-02-2009, 09:44 AM

Quote:

do it the old fashen way mat cost add 15% time -then double it - and that comes in just close after its all said and done

You mean that's all I ever had to do? After all these years of really estimating... Darn!

TarPaperCrane · 11-03-2009, 09:05 PM

I use MasterBuilder. It's cumbersome, but once you get to know it, it's an easy way to produce estimates in CSI format.

HSConstruction · 11-04-2009, 06:49 AM

Whatever works I guess but if you have to double time then it was wrong from the start.

NormW · 11-04-2009, 07:48 AM

I think what G&S is saying is to take the material costs, double it (to get labor) then add 15% for overhead.

Taking mats, adding 15%, then doubling it should get you the same total (for the mathematically weak (like my wife))

I know old timers around here, who do there estimating this way. Have a lumber yard do a take off, do some math in their head while driving the truck, poof, estimate done.

Obviously these guys know the situations, when this system doesn't work.

I don't do it this way... but it is an easy way to check your estimate. You'll find whether the job on hand is labor, or material intensive.

mikeswoods · 11-04-2009, 08:18 AM

WOW! I wish I knew that years ago!!

Trim paint $28.00 gallon 15% x2=$89.Thank god,now I'll know how to bid.
Mark down paint $12.00 gallon x15% x2= no I'll see if I can find more expensive paint.

mikeswoods · 11-04-2009, 08:28 AM

Does that method also work for cabinet and appliance installations?

Got to go to work now,With this new knowledge I feel so much better.

NormW · 11-04-2009, 08:34 AM

hehe, your right mike...

lots of areas it simply does not work... painting, drywall, excavating, any sub-trade I suspect. But it tells you that all the above and more are "labor" intensive.

On the flip side, use that system for installing a patio door, or storm door! You'd get rich quick (If you got the job)... those would be "material" intensive jobs.

No rocket science to it... and you could blow holes in it all day long. I don't want to bring nationality into but... I will. Around here, the old timers are largely Italian, and some Irish. They pretty much build the area around here after WWII. Their kids, and yes some of the originals are still active. I know thats how they price a lot of work.

I suspect that system works best in the types of jobs they do... new construction, platform framing... conventional stuff. Im sure they know when to add in for "extras".

bfreeman · 11-04-2009, 09:56 AM

Does anyone use the exactimate software. It seems that a lot of insurance companies use it, I wonder why?

mics_54 · 11-04-2009, 10:07 AM

Quote:

old fashen way mat cost add 15% time -then double it - and that comes in just close after its all said and done

close to what?

What planet are you from?

The old fashen way was to just trade for some hogs and chickens for the material and have your boy do the work after he's done pickin cotton for the day.