Stick Method Or Estimating Software

rbsremodeling

Its as simple as it sounds how many people use the stick method to compute estimates,get material and sub quotes etc V.S using and estimating software?


You can of course give your pro and cons and reasons why you do. I am doing some research.

Anyone that uses software can you name it if you don't mind

Thanks to all that respond

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precisionbuild

I use this and go by "assemblies".

modterry

We have developed our own estimating system driven by the specifications of the job: The Specs tell what materials to use and then we calculate labor last. We use MYSQL and Access for our databases. The Specs are Numbered by category , then the materials and labor are sub numbers of the specification. We have approximately - 2,000 specs on a house , 1,000 material line items, 400 labor line items. Our specs include the structural elements, how to build the item, etc.

Currently building cost books for kitchen remodels, bath remodels, basement finishes.

It has been real time consuming- but with job costing it has really developed into pretty accurate material lists, and labor standard hours. I just hate using sq. ft. costs for estimating - too vague and most estimating programs seem to rely on sq. ft. without regard to the choices made by the customer.

Mud Master

I/We use Win Scale Estimation Software by Roctek..as well as Digitizers made by Kurta.

I was using the digitizers long before Win Scale but after their upgraded version came out that was compaitable with ALL digitizer brands I was sold.

With the size of projects we do, I wouldn't get through they spec pages by the due date if my estimators and I did it "the good ol' way".

Rory, FWIW..Win scale can work as a stand alone program or in conjunction with spreadsheets like Excel, Lotus, etc..).

The best thing is it doesn't just give me a "rendering", but actually lays out the 3-D image exactly how it will be built, and I get the quantities right then and there. With the digitizer being adaptable with the system, we can input our prices as we go and can easily and accuratly bid a 300,000+/- sqft job in less than 3 days, provided there are no addendums (yea, right!!).

Also, for me, it is a God send considering the panelization business that we run out of our shop, for both my projects, and independently for my competition, is growing so rapidly. With the program giving us such accurate 3-D drawings, it takes away any second guessing at the production line. No matter if its a simple 25 gauge 8' wall non-load bearing wall, or a curtain wall with complicated wind/gravity/external loads, or complicated athestics like lots of drops or a "out of control storefront". I can put in all the deflections, live loads,etc..and send it straight out the office to the warehouse for when they need it.

May have MORE features than your looking for, as I don't even use them all, but for a GC/CM, it's a must have.

I LOVE IT!

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SK Builders

I use clear estimates just because it gives me an idea for trades I don't do. Also makes up a contract/proposal given the info I put in for the estimate. I pay $59.99 mo. for it. Kind of pricey, but I think it makes sense for me. I am only a one man band though...

dubz

I've been using pick n' pray, but it hasn't been working out too goot.

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tommytwo

I haven't tried it yet, but the guy teaching Continuing Ed here was bragging about Superbuild. It's supposed to give you average local numbers, and you can adjust from there. They used to charge a monthly fee, but don't anymore.

JumboJack

Where is the WAG option?

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

MEL

I use Contracker EZ software. IT was designed by a roofer.

It runs in MS Access.

It is specialized for roofers but can be used for siding and other types of projects.

IT is set up to allow me to enter the measurements of several components of each section of the roof. After I enter the measurements it gives me an exact list of materials that I can order for that job.

I guess that makes it similar to stick method because my price is based on my exact cost of labor and materials.

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MEL

rbsremodeling

I honestly believe there is a whole lot of that going on 200+ views and 20 responses maybe I need to add that as a answer

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pcplumber

right down to counting the nails. Of course, I only bid one or two jobs a year and many years I don't even get one job, but I never used a computer system and don't know how they keep up with prices that increase 50% to 100% in a few weeks, like lumber.

Can you tell me how a computer program works for estimating large jobs? How does it know where you need steel beams, how much extra it will cost for houses where every wall and ceiling is not square, the type of materials, etc.? I can't imagine trusting a computer program.

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Buck25

12' of wall. hmm about 12 2x4's and a coupla 16 footers. Oh, and some nails.


Works if the job's small, but I suppose it can get me into bad habits. Of course I need to estimate the jobs that create the job costing data before I can apply the job costing data.

old folks

what is there to look forwad to in light of the curent financial crunch? can a small (small) bisiness like mine survive or should I look for anouther career?

pcplumber

What city are you in and what is the population?

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rbsremodeling

As the user of the software you either input those factors for the beams and such or you have to manually make the adjustment yourself.

The software I use I can change labor and material amounts by 10% or individually. Depends on what I need to do.

Which is part of the reason I asked the question. What do guys do unless its just me. That do large volumes of quotes 20-50 a month especially larger remodels.

How the hell do they do those by hand or stick method?

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Chris Johnson

I find it easier to review everything, make my notes, find the difficult areas, find the particularly easy areas.

I do everything on paper and check it myself before putting it on a spreadsheet. May seem like a lot of work, but I have encountered problems in Excel.

The best part I find of doing it this way is I become really familiar with the plans and that helps the job go better since I don't need to be reading them all the time when on the job, I have most details memorized.

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Chris

rbsremodeling

How many estimates a month can you put out this way? Just curious

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pcplumber

This is a copy of a free program you may be able to use.

http://bestlineplumbing.com/supply%20Control.htm

This program was designed to compare prices at supply houses and to create a purchase order to email or fax to our supply house, but the program can be used for calculating the cost for materials when bidding, or for making specific lists for your truck, or for specific types of jobs.

This is a very basic program, but it is 1,000 times better than an excel program because Excel works well with a tiny number of records. This program can handle an unlimited number of records and can be customized any way imaginable. It is an MS Access program.

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JumboJack

BTW...I chose stick method.My jobs don't tend to be too big.I go through the plans and figure how long each trade will take and how much the materials will cost.Add P/O and Bobs your uncle...Simple as that.

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in texas with framing and cornish people will do it for 3.00 a foot. What do yall think about that? Just laber

Chris Johnson

Residential house takes about 4 hours

Stand Alone commercial building about 4-8 hours

I'm working on one right now, about 10 hours in and about 3 more to go I figure, 4 commercial buildings, on and off site sidewalks, curb and gutter, light standards, columns for solar panels. This takes longer since I am estimating/'value engineering' and scheduling phase builds at the same time.

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Chris