Roof Estimating And Drawing Program - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

**Ed the Roofer** · 07-03-2008, 12:53 PM

I posted this in the software forum, but figured it may be more beneficial over in this section.

Ed

In This Special Issue of eNews

• Boost Your Business with Technology - read the article!
• AppliCad v6.0 - a sneak peek
• New Product Launch - RoofScape for Architects
• AppliCad Launches Multi-Language Web Site
• Demystify AppliCad - Our explanation in simple terms how it works - read the article.

AppliCad eNews #90

Online Estimating for Roofers - RoofScape

Welcome to the RoofScape Team
It is six months since the launch of roofestimating.com and RoofScape. We would like to thank you for checking us out and hope that you achieved something from the experience of visiting the site and downloading RoofScape. We know many of you have and continue to do so every day!
Since the launch of AppliCad's new online roof estimating application, hundreds of roofers all over the world have connected with the www.roofestimating.com web site and downloaded RoofScape, just like you.
"AppliCad is constantly striving for ways to help your business improve. After all, when your business is thriving, so is ours." says Ray Smith, Managing Director of AppliCad. "Our team has reviewed many apparently useful ideas over the years and tried to focus on those that make the most difference to you. The ones that help you make money from roofing and cladding."
The www.roofestimating.com web site was a major shift for AppliCad. We are giving you software free of charge. This may certainly seem a strange way for a software business to make money. Indeed, it is.
However, AppliCad wants to get these tools into the hands of more people to allow everyone the opportunity to experience the core features of AppliCad's intuitive software. As you will have found out it isn't entirely free either. You can model as many roofs as you like but to get a customer quotation and a roof drawing you must have the patience to follow the instructions to enter your cost details into the online database.
We know that a whole bunch of you have not bothered to do this (yes Big Brother IS watching you, we're keeping an eye on progress, just in case you need a hand). However, many of you have set up pricing data, and for the very modest investment each month, they are getting the most accurate quotation they have ever had plus a 3D roof drawing and good quality documents for your customer.
Once you master the intricacies of modelling roof shapes in 3D with RoofScape, you have mastered all the skills you need to take full advantage of any of the other full function AppliCad roofing and cladding modules.
The basic premise is that a roofer with a regular or an occasional need to take-off a roof, in a re-roof situation or from client's plans, does not have to invest heavily in technology. The roofer may use the roofestimating.com service as the business needs dictate.
Please drop us a line and let us know if we "hit the spot" with this new product and what else we should consider doing to make it more valuable or applicable to your situation. We really do appreciate your input.
Email us at roofscape-team@applicad.com.au
Thank you in advance for your interest in what we deliver for you and your business.
Respectfully
The AppliCad 'RoofScape Team'
Get the most from using RoofScape

INVITATION TO TRAINING

We have a whole bunch of training seminars coming up and I would like to personally invite each and every one of you to register for one of these most valuable courses. As the roof modelling 'engine' of RoofScape is exactly the same as the full function AppliCad products, we know you will get huge value from learning how to use RoofScape more effectively.
Contact one of our team today for more details.

Ray Smith
AppliCad (Australia, UK, USA)
TRAINING DOESN'T COST - IT PAYS
Upcoming Training Events -

July 9- 11th, 2008 - AppliCad Training,
Melbourne Head Office
- Sorcerer, Roof Wizard, Roof Magician, Roof Master
Please note date change for the sessions in India -
August 5-7th, 2008 - AppliCad Training,
Venue TBA, Mumbai, India
- Sorcerer, Roof Wizard, Roof Magician, Roof Master
July 29-31st, 2008 - AppliCad Training,
Venue TBA, Christchurch, NZ
- Sorcerer, Roof Wizard, Roof Magician, Roof Master
August 25-27th, 2008 - AppliCad Training,
Atlanta, GA; venue to be advised.
- Sorcerer, Roof Wizard, Roof Magician, Roof Master
October 6-8th, 2008 - AppliCad Training,
Baltimore, MD; venue to be advised
- Sorcerer, Roof Wizard, Roof Magician, Roof Master
A Sneak Peek - 'RoofScape for Architects'
Following the hugely successful release of the our online estimating program, RoofScape© AppliCad will soon launch a new product aimed especially for Architects. RoofScape for Architects takes the full 3D roof design tools of the AppliCad roofing software and bundles it with the ability to write a DXF file of the 3D roofscape to the Architect's favourite CAD program for further detailing.

This product came about through an understanding that many Architects have some difficulty designing compex hip and valley roofs. This is evident when you're reviewing roof plans for estimating purposes - many of them simply don't work!
AppliCad's aim is to provide the most powerful roof design tool that will ensure that an Arichitect designs a roof shape that can be built, the first time. Architects are a key role in the building process and should be able to have the tools to properly model, specify, and seamlessly pass it on to all other key members of the building process. This is becoming more important as fabrication methods such as roof trusses can only be made on roof geometry that works in 3D. If the roof planes don't come together correctly, the roof truss cannot be designed and prefabricated - adding delays, frustration and costs to a design project.
RoofScape for Architects will be launched in India next month and will be generally available late August. India was chosen as the launching place because traditionally, most roofing in India is flat and we figured that the Architects there need a lot more help than elsewhere. At least that is our view.
Watch this space for more news about RoofScape for Architects.
AppliCad Launches Multi-Language Web Site
For 12 years or so, AppliCad has been developing it's international business strategy. We are the only software developer in the roofing and cladding field with such a vision and successfully implementing it. Such a plan takes time and a huge effort. Much of the research is in learning and understanding the particular requirements of the different regions. Often our focus has been on certain countries, but the selected country reflects the needs and practices of a region and the lessons we learn become 'grist for the mill'.
As we refine our development projects to accommodate specific needs, the tool kit we develop becomes more robust and flexible. Special needs for one roofer are daily needs for another. What you can be assured of is this - if it's in the software, someone somewhere asked for it to be there. That's why we say that our software is a program developed by experts with expert advice. With 100's of roofing guys all around the world providing us with the benefit of their skills and experience, we can only maintain our leadership in the field.
As for the plan? Well, we're trying to keep up with the plan and to this end we have added a 'gadget' on our web site home page that allows you to select your native language and the rest of the visit to our web site will be displayed in your language. What is really helpful for you is the amount of detail that we already have there about what our software does and how you could be using our software now that it is available to be translated for you.
We know that some of it will come across a bit twisted. This is because specialist topics like roofing are not handled well in coloquial translation. It's a bit like talking to your dentist about his roof - some things are lost in the translation. Some of the languages automatically translated on the web site include - German, Finnish, Swedish, Dutch. Check it out, you might like what you see -http://www.applicad.com.au/
The translation 'gadget' has also been applied to our other sites - http://www.roofestimating.com/ and http://www.stairsoftware.com/.
In any case, all the crucial stuff is there and we hope you enjoy your visit. Please let us know how you go. I welcome your comments - email me now - ray@applicad.com.au
AppliCad - software developed by software experts in collaboration with industry experts.
Your email address has been acquired through the normal course of AppliCad’s business operations ie. trade show participation, response to magazine advertising, email enquiry, web search enquiry, from an associate or by subscribing through our web site. The contents of this newsletter are intended to educate and inform you about the latest trends in technology and systems for your industry. We hope that you can use this information to benefit your business. You have the right to decline receiving further email newsletters from us. Simply reply to this email requesting that your email address be removed from the broadcast email list and the address will be removed immediately - or email the editor directly: ray@applicad.com.au

sparkyshadow · 12-29-2009, 12:46 PM

Hi Ed.
You seem to be a bit of an expert with this computor estimating.I have been asked to source a stand alone, easy to use, estimating program for a small pitched roofing company out in the west that operates in the boonies. He is not very computer savvy and he does not want satellite or internet linkage. Thanks

**Ed the Roofer** · 12-30-2009, 08:54 PM

Craftsman National Estimator using the version for remodeling might be simple and powerfull enough for him, but nothing replaces personal experiences and recorded data of common tasks during varying weather and other unregulated conditions thrown into the mix.

Here is a link to their softwares available.

http://craftsman-book.com/products/i...index&cPath=45

Ed

Grumpy · 12-31-2009, 11:46 AM

You can also look into contracker ez. I looked into it and it sounds like it will do what youa re asking, but I rejected it because it didn't do exactly what I wanted exactly how I wanted and the multi user version is pricey. However for someone not so anal (like me) and not really computer saavy, it'll be just fine.

**Ed the Roofer** · 12-31-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grumpy

You can also look into contracker ez. I looked into it and it sounds like it will do what youa re asking, but I rejected it because it didn't do exactly what I wanted exactly how I wanted and the multi user version is pricey. However for someone not so anal (like me) and not really computer saavy, it'll be just fine.

I forgot about that one Grumpy, but Yes, that would be a decently priced option also. I believe that it costs right around $100.00.

http://www.contracker.com/overview.html

(Dead Link to the pricing page...???)

A link to a previous discussion of comparisons on this forum... http://www.contractortalk.com/f16/es...25-08-a-46873/

Ed

sparkyshadow · 12-31-2009, 03:58 PM

Thanks for your help. He is asking me for a software program that allows him to enter dimensions from a roof drawing onto his laptop and then the software will provide him with roofing material quantities such as squares of material, footage of valley, ridge, rakes etc.
I guess I didn't word my question correctly.
He does not want to have to send in data or use a satellite. I see there are ones like RoofScape & RoofCad. That type of program, but without the satellite imagery or sending data in to a company for them to return the estimate......... Tks Chris
( Estimating up here means to actually figure out the quantities - sorry for the confusion)
Oh! AND A VERY HAPPY & PROSPEROUS NEW YEAR

seeyou · 01-17-2010, 08:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sparkyshadow

He is asking me for a software program that allows him to enter dimensions from a roof drawing onto his laptop and then the software will provide him with roofing material quantities such as squares of material, footage of valley, ridge, rakes etc.

I use the free version of Sketchup for "take-off" or as you call it, "estimating".

After getting through the learning curve, I can draw a roof plan in 3d as fast or faster than I can hand draw a 2d plan. I then let the program do the calculations, so there's minimal chance of a math error.

Here's an example:

J-Peffer · 01-17-2010, 05:58 PM

It seriously takes me about 10 minutes once i have a simple rough (very rough) sketch of a roof with some measurments to make an accurate material list in a template I use with excel.

Maybe less.

IMO it's not worth taking the time to learn the software or the money to buy it/update it for material list/estimates.