Estimating Question

JMG1959

Hi! I’m new to this board and looking forward to learning a few things from this Forum. Which Estimating Programs are best in your opinions? I’ve been using RS Means Residential Cost Data. I’m considering purchasing a subscription to its Cost Works Cd. Is this a good program? Does anybody have any feed back or opinions on what programs to buy?

mdshunk

I used National Estimator until I developed my own historical data. Whatever you use currently, your own historical data should be the goal you're working towards.

JMG1959

Historical Data is great! But it doesn't keep up with current material costs and it's recent volitility ie... huricanes, fuel and war. I'm looking for a good computer based program that moniters both.

mdshunk

I see. I guess I'm the wrong guy helping then. For my trade, that stuff is free online. http://www.electricalreference.com/

Bob Kovacs

If you're looking for that, then the Means stuff isn't the right place to go. In fact, none of the estimating programs will give you that, for a number of reasons:

- They all use "national averages" for both material costs and labor rates/productivity, so your local costs may vary considerably. Some of the costs will be high, and some will be low- you're basically gambling that you'll be high more than you'll be low.

- By the time they gather then info, average it all, and publish it, it's already out of date. While this is even more true with the printed price guides, it's still an issue with any online updates, since they're only put out a certain number of times per year.

The only way to be safe with material costs is to get current pricing from your local suppliers regularly.

Bob

hatchet

I'm using easyest. I do an update on costs from my local lumber store and other suppliers before every estimate. Historic data is great.. for production rates. Plain and simple - material costs need to be updated periodically. As Bob said - "By the time they gather info... it's already out of date".

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Rich
WIT Construction Co.
Superior MT Contractor

Gordo

Another thing that is tricky is when bidding a job that won't start for 6 months down the line. Cost projection comes into play.

Construction business is dynamic. Just when you think you got it it got you.

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Looks like some pros were here.