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#1 |
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New Guy
Trade: Electrical
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 25
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Estimating Software
Anyone here have any advice as to Estimating Software?
I'm a mid-sized electrical contractor ( 10 -15 employees ) that works mostly in large scale residential ( townhouse projects, stick frame apartments ), light duty commercial ( tenant improvements ) and tons of maintenance. I'm currently looking at getting either McCormick Systems or Accubid ... anyone have any experience with either of these two programs and can give me an honest review of what they think of them? |
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#2 | |
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Fentoozler
Trade: Professional Pie and Pastry Taster
Join Date: May 2007
Location: New Jersey
Posts: 5,585
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Re: Estimating Software[ Extracted from Chapter 8 of Mike Holt's Electrical Estimating Book ] Quote:
__________________
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#3 |
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New Guy
Trade: Electrical
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 25
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Re: Estimating Software
Thanks for that , but i've already read it. I know i want software ... what i need, is to ask someone who has used either of the products that i'm looking at what the they think of it.
In absence of that, does anyone know where i can find unbiased reviews on electrical estimating software ( These companies have their own reviews but that's like asking college students to grade their own paper ... < Gee look at that , my half-page review of War and Peace got another A+ > ) |
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#4 |
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woodchuck2
Trade: Electrical Contractor&Home Maintenance
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: North Creek, NY/Lower Adirondacks
Posts: 2,310
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Re: Estimating Software
I myself dont use any kind of estimating software, i guess i do it the old way but i still do it on a puter. I do all my estimates through Quickbooks, i just have all the parts listed individually and for the most part seperated. Example would be all different size conduit is listed under one # as well as all the parts such as nipples, bushings adapters, etc. I just punch in a #, scroll down to the item, click on it and put in quantity. It is time consuming but it is easy to edit if needed. As stated above every job is different so you cant just go by a sqare footage #, you still need to know what the customer wants and what is needed so it not like any joe smoe can do the estimate for you. If you looked at the job then you need to do the estimate. Otherwise you will most likely loose money or be way overcharging. Most of my customers like to see an itemized list, then they see how much goes into the job and exactly the hours spent doing it. Another nice feature of this too is with 2-3 clicks of the button it becomes an invoice and can still be easily edited. When payment is recieved it keeps track of the amount payed and what is still owed. It also gives me my State tax quarterly report and my schedule-C for the end of the year. You probably do something different for your size company but for little ole me this has been working well so far.
Last edited by woodchuck2; 09-04-2009 at 08:39 AM. |
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#5 |
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Pro
Trade: General Contractor
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: Ireland
Posts: 105
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Re: Estimating Software
[quote=Immanuel;757934]Anyone here have any advice as to Estimating Software?
Yes, it is expensive, you should estimate on the high side. It is complex, you should estimate on spending a lot of time getting to grips with it. It is unwieldy, you should estimate a few days to curse at it, and it does not replace or even match experience and an excel spreadsheet, you should estimate on not using it after a few weeks of aggro. And when estimating it, you should seriously consider keeping your money and buying a notebook. Last edited by joshua1; 09-04-2009 at 05:57 PM. Reason: fri night, few beers, typos. |
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#6 |
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Registered User
Trade: electrical contractor
Join Date: Aug 2009
Posts: 8
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Re: Estimating Software
I use national estimater it links up to my quick books as explained by woodchuck2 it does the parts list for you!!
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#7 |
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Registered User
Trade: Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7
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Re: Estimating Software
I'm in the same predicament, but I'm a small commercial contractor that is working towards being a mid size contractor. I've looked at Vision Soft bid manager plus, Accubid, Mccormick and Con Est, and Turbo Bid. I threw out Turbo because it was more for residential. I'm leaning towards Bid Manager because of the cost. It seems to do the job, maybe doesn't have all the bells and whistles, but is adequote. Anybody else have similar experiences?
BTE Last edited by BTE; 09-06-2009 at 01:32 PM. |
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#8 |
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Registered User
Trade: Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7
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Re: Estimating Software
By the way, Emmanual, I've spent hours with the reps testing their software then had their software installed for a free trial. They all use the same material list cost information, so that wasn't a concern. I guess Bid Manager is the new guy on the block, but it looks very easy to use and seems to do the job. I've called several of their customers, one of which went to Con Est then went back to Bid Manager, and they seem very happy. I'd like to hear from anybody with experience with Bid Manager that doesn't have a bias because they have been using the big guys software, that by the way is pretty expensxive to a new contractor.
BTE |
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#9 |
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New Guy
Trade: Electrical
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 25
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Re: Estimating Software
I also looked at Turbo Bid and Con Est as well but i didn't like either of them.
Turbo Bid: It seemed nice for a small company but no good if you want to expand into anything more than single family residential. ConEst: The biggest problem i had with ConEst is that their Estimating and Bidding software are two different packages ... which means two diffferent support packages ( and over $700.00 a month for support that i may not even use seems way to high to pay ) |
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#10 |
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Registered User
Trade: Electrical Contractor
Join Date: Sep 2009
Posts: 7
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Re: Estimating Software
I agree with that. Con Est is very tempting, but too a lot of extra costs. I worked with a sales guy called Mike...again...this week and it's a great system. Have you decided yet. I threw out Mc'Cormick this week. So I am now down to three. Accubid, ConEst and Vision. Have you decided yet? Vison keep pushing, but I'm still not sure. It seems you still have to get tied into Epic for proper pricing, but then again, you'd have to do the same with ConEst or Accubid. It's a dilema. I have another demo with Accubid next week. I don't want to regret a decision once I've paid up.
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#11 |
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Pro
Trade: Electrical
Join Date: Sep 2008
Location: Texas
Posts: 172
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Re: Estimating Software
What?!?! I just purchased ConEst about a month ago, I have my first training set up this afternoon. I have NO monthly charge. after the first year I will pay $500.00ish (do not remember the exact amount) a YEAR (not a month) for support.
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#12 |
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CEO, CM
Trade: California B and C36
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: California
Posts: 1
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Re: Estimating Software
Here are some of the major considerations I would include prior to your decision:
1. What is your current and target(future) sales volume? This will impact your ROI (return on Investment) 2. Evaluation of your current estimating proficiency. (no software will make you a better estimator) if you're making critical mistakes and losing bids or money, software won't fix that. |
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#13 |
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Registered User
Trade: Electrical contractor
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Metro Detroit
Posts: 1
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Re: Estimating Software
I use Red Rhino by Hard Hat Industry Solutions. It is web based, has a ton of products, and you can build your own assemblies. The support and training is really thorough. You can actually use it on your smart phone for quick, on the job estimates. The best part is that it costs less than $60/month! I like it, also, because you can create proposals, work orders, and many other things with it. I would try this before dropping thousands of dollars on the other big boys.
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