Devwave Paint Estimator Pro V. 4.0.2 Available

AAPaint · 05-16-2006, 08:36 PM

The updated version of Devwave's paint estimator pro is now available for download from their site. Anyone purchasing the software will get the updated version I have been testing for the past few months. I don't know when they made it available, but it is there now!!

Like I said before, this program has a lot of improvments over the previous versions, and is well worth the money if you're looking for a way to produce professional looking estimates/contracts, etc. It also prints detailed reports which give you sq. ft., man hours, gallons of paint, etc....AND prints work orders you can give your employees.

The program doesn't do absolutely everything you can imagine, but its a great value at it's price. From what I've been told, they've kept it simple in order to offer something good at a great price.

If you have questions, you can contact Rose at sales@devwave.com and she will answer anything you like to know, or you can try a copy by ordering it from www.devwave.com

This is not meant to be spam. I have been personally beta testing this software for a while now, and have used the basic version, and the previous pro version. This new one surpasses those by miles and I know some of you were interested in it when mentioned before.

George Z · 05-16-2006, 10:29 PM

AA,
I had this program two years ago, not the new version obviously.
I found it really unusable and returned it.
I can't remember exactly why, some weird stuff like production rates
based on the "covering" or coating as opposed to the substrate.
When asking questions, the otherwise friendly lady had no idea what
production rate estimating or anything else was.
I ended up thinking any system has to be employed to serve
our company, not the other way around.
We are not a big company(5 painters), and I can handle about 10-15
multi page proposals a week. I can have a simple one done in half hour,
so I have no time to learn some new system now, there is so much other stuff to learn.
Our proposal is very thorough and very detailed. As RK used to say,
it is our silent salesperson.
If I can see the need for an estimating program, I will revisit it again.
It's not going to be the Devwave.
I am glad it is working for you though.

AAPaint · 05-16-2006, 10:53 PM

Yes, it's working great. As a matter of a fact, you can actually input the substrate and coating with your own production rates in the new version. There is good enough reason to re-visit this program, because they have obviously been listening.

George Z · 05-16-2006, 11:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAPaint

Yes, it's working great. As a matter of a fact, you can actually input the substrate and coating with your own production rates in the new version. There is good enough reason to re-visit this program, because they have obviously been listening.

Thanks AA,
That's a pretty strong endorsement.
I will make sure I re-visit it then.
Do they still have a trial version?

Humble Abode · 05-17-2006, 12:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AAPaint

Yes, it's working great.

You better be getting paid for this endorsement

J/K

What system did you use before?

AAPaint · 05-17-2006, 12:52 AM

Nope, not getting paid...just got a program that works for me. I used their basic edition before, but I had to hand calculate all of my costs, etc. All it did for me was format the info... This one makes it pretty easy. Here's what you do. Under paint/coating type, I input the name like say "stucco exterior, SW super paint"...then in the rate section I input hourly rate, cost of coating, production rate, and coverage. These settings can be unique for absolutely every substrate like "cedar lap siding, SW Super Paint", "hardiboard shaker shingle siding, SW Super Paint" and input the separate rates for each. These can be named any coating/any substrate and you can have as many as you like. Once you've put it in one time, you don't have to do it again unless you want to tweak the rates. Input the area details like LxWxH (it even calculates gable ends), select "wall" "ceiling" (which can also be used for floor) "soffit" "trim" "door" "window" etc and it will calculate using the variables you input earlier. If the rates don't seem right when you're done, you can easily adjust them to balance it out. You can also adjust the whole contract by any percentage by clicking an arrow one way or the other.

You can have unlimited extras for things like moving furniture, add pressure wash, setup/cleanup...anything. I can't explain all it can do, but I would honestly say it's at least worth the money to tinker with it's capabilities. My estimates look like this in very short amount of time:

Quote:

AA Quality Painting & Pressure Washing LLC
5291 Collins Rd. #337
Jacksonville, FL US 32244
Phone: (904)622-8466
Web Site: www.aaqualitypainting.com
Email: info@aaqualitypainting.com

Contract #230
April 20, 2006
Mr. Customer
123 Your Street
Jacksonville, FL 32216

Dear Mr. Customer,

In regards to the 4 Bedroom House, located at 123 Your Street., Jacksonville FL, the undersigned proposes to complete all work described below:

This contract includes the following materials and/or labor.

• Surface preparation.
• Door frames painted.
• Window frames painted.
• Trim painted.
• Baseboards painted.
• All necessary materials including but not limited to primers, paints, sanding materials, putties, caulks, tape, plastic, drywall compound, rags, roller "naps", etc.
• All necessary labor as required to complete the scope of work outlined in this contract.
• Tarps, poly and coverings.
• Includes painting ceilings, and staining rear deck.

Detailed Project Specifications:

Included Warranty Period: 2 Year Guarantee against defects in the quality of our workmanship.

Kitchen/Dining area Approx. Area: (752 sq.ft.)
Includes the following:
2 coat(s) of Super Spec Latex Flat.

Doors Only Approx. Area: (0 sq.ft.)
Includes the following:
20 ea. 6 panel door - 2 coat(s).
Comment: This area description is a separate listing for doors only.

Den Approx. Area: (624 sq.ft.)
Includes the following:
5 ea. Window sills and returns - 2 coat(s).
2 coat(s) of Super Spec Latex Flat.
Comment: All paneling will be primed with Zinsser's BIN shellac primer to prevent wood tannins from showing through in the future.

Master Bedroom Approx. Area: (560 sq.ft.)
Includes the following:
2 ea. Window sills and returns - 2 coat(s).
2 coat(s) of Super Spec Latex Flat.

Master Bathroom Approx. Area: (304 sq.ft.)
Includes the following:
2 coat(s) of Super Spec Latex Flat.
Comment: Includes priming all raw drywall.

Bathroom 2 Approx. Area: (208 sq.ft.)
Includes the following:
2 coat(s) of Super Spec Latex Flat.
Comment: Includes priming all raw drywall.

Bathroom 3 Approx. Area: (208 sq.ft.)
Includes the following:
2 coat(s) of Super Spec Latex Flat.

Bedroom Approx. Area: (352 sq.ft.)
Includes the following:
2 coat(s) of Super Spec Latex Flat.
Comment: Mold will be bleached and scrubbed. Any leftover stains will be primed with a stain blocking primer.

Bedroom Approx. Area: (336 sq.ft.)
Includes the following:
2 coat(s) of Super Spec Latex Flat.
Comment: Mold will be bleached and scrubbed. Any leftover stains will be primed with a stain blocking primer.

Bedroom Approx. Area: (400 sq.ft.)
Includes the following:
2 coat(s) of Super Spec Latex Flat.
Comment: Mold will be bleached and scrubbed. Any leftover stains will be primed with a stain blocking primer.

Hall Approx. Area: (176 sq.ft.)
Includes the following:
2 coat(s) of Super Spec Latex Flat.

Hall Approx. Area: (320 sq.ft.)
Includes the following:
2 coat(s) of Super Spec Latex Flat.

All of the above work to be completed in a professional manner that shall meet or exceed accepted industry standards for the sum of:

SUB TOTAL: $X,***.XX
TOTAL: $X,***.XX

You are hereby authorized to furnish all materials and labor to complete the work mentioned in the above proposal, for which the undersigned agrees to pay the amount mentioned in said proposal, and according to the terms thereof:

Payments are to be made as follows:

First draw: $X,***.XX Due: This payment is required as a deposit to be put on our schedule. Deposits must be received at least 2 business days prior to the scheduled commencement of work on your project.

Second draw: $X,***.XX Due: This payment is due after completion of all prep work as outlined in this proposal, or at a halfway point to be determined by the job supervisor from our company. For large projects, second payment will be due no later than 7 calendar days after the commencement of work.

Final draw: $X,***.XX Due: This payment is due immediately upon substantial completion of the scope of work as outlined in this proposal. At time of completion a walk-through will be performed with the customer. Any defects or touch ups will be addressed at this time, but shall not delay this final payment.

Once the program spits this out, I add my contract terms to the end in Word and have an awesome proposal. Please remember, I'm just the messenger. I like what this program does for me, and thought I'd pass along it's new abilities.

George Z · 05-17-2006, 06:10 AM

AA,
Very nice. Can you e-mail that to the customer?
Maybe after you PDF it?

slickshift · 05-17-2006, 07:16 AM

Ah, this is the one you mentioned before AA

Thanks for the heads up the new version is out

I can't wait to check this out more

IIRC, it was having a bit of trouble with all your contract stipulations?
Or was that the old one...or the beta you were testing?

Do they have a free trial tester?
Does it need Word/Excel to function?

JMGP · 05-17-2006, 09:09 AM

AA,

I have the same program... I had there other version and this one was emailed to me for free (probably the same for you)

What an excellent program... it is a must try...

I have been using the PEP program for a few years now and I will be using the DeVWave software for my mobil office estimates... its a perfect program for that...

I would have to buy the PEP program again in order to set it up for mobil office...I paid $99 for it a few years ago and they want $500 for it now... and all they added to it was a choice of contracts....dont get me wrong.. I think the PEP program is excellent also BUT... DevWave is a better choice for mobil estimates...

like you said once you add your info into it... thats it... after that everything is point and click... the only thing you will have to type is name and address of customer... it quick, simple and very fast... thats why it is a good software for mobil estimates...

anyways.... it has my endorsment!!!

Joe

AAPaint · 05-17-2006, 09:49 AM

Hey guys...to answer your questions, I e-mail this to the customer as an office .doc file since this is what I keep my contract terms in. I usually cut and paste it's print out over to the contract terms and make them one, then e-mail it. The program itself doesn't require word, it installs the portions of that program it needs I believe (could be wrong here), but it prints the contracts and reports in word for you.

I'll have to get the lappy out and try the latest version with those contract terms. It wasn't allowing me to fit in my payment terms without crashing. It allows you to select things like "due upon completion" "due at 50% completion" etc. but my terms are much longer, as noted above. I'll check that out later to see if they are all fitting now....they should be.

**ProWallGuy** · 05-17-2006, 10:04 AM

Adam, which version are you talking about. I dl'ed Estimate Works Paint Pro 4 last night, and have been playing around with it. I also dl'ed PEP -05 and Paintcost Estimator.
They all have major limitations IMHO.

Devwave, I see no where to markup your final price? And who calls painting a wall 'wall covering'? Doesn't the industry refer to wallpaper as 'wall covering'? Not painting.
They give a lot of options for different items, but most would never be used, and a lot of basics aren't there. For example, they include for ceilings: Latex Enamel Ceiling (Brush on drywall). Who brushes out a ceiling? They also offer a T&G ceiling, and masonry primer for ceilings. How often would these be used?
And I know you are supposed to punch in your own production rates/prices, but are the ones it comes pre-loaded with realistic? I filled it out for a 12 X 12 room, one coat ceiling, 2 coats walls, and only comes to $156.00 with tax and materials? Holy crap!
No options for fast, medium, or slow situations. No options for difficulty factor.
A wood window, 7-8 panes, prime with brush, $9.80? Wow, I must be overcharging.
Is this the version you are using?
Seems like it would take forever to enter all my data, as I would have to completely re-arrange and add in what a real painter woud do or use.
I also couldn't find where to change the default labor rates.
PEP and Paintcost have their ups and downs too.
You might want to download the other two and play with them before you commit.

JMGP · 05-17-2006, 12:07 PM

Pro,

everything you see on the Dev program is obviously just a sample and not realistic...

you will have to delete what they have and ad your own.. yes it does take time... but I beleive it is well worth it...

it does have have an area where you can click and ad for dificulty... OR while you are pre loading your own info you could ad it in then...

take some more time to go over the DEV software again... its all there...

there isnt a single software program out there that would come packaged exactly they way you need it for your company... you will have to take the time to work with it... patience pays off... I do think both software programs have there limits...

Dev Wave takes requests on how to better there software... maybe if more painting professionals emailed them requests they could come up with a very powerful software program that would be exactly what we all are looking for...

anyways... I would spend more time with the software before I judged it...

Joe

slickshift · 05-17-2006, 01:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProWallGuy

... PEP -05 and Paintcost Estimator....have major limitations IMHO.

I believe those were two I tried
I came up with the same HO
Granted I was using the trial versions, but decided nether was even close to what I needed/wanted

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProWallGuy

...they include for ceilings: Latex Enamel Ceiling.
Who brushes out a ceiling?

< sheepishly raises hand >

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProWallGuy

They also offer a T&G ceiling... How often would these be used?

< sheepishly raises hand >
....Not to try and counter any of your other points in the least, but neither of those are really unusual jobs for my area
Well, OK, the brushed enamel on drywall is weird, It's more of a brushed enamel on wainscoting thing
...or poly, stain, or varnish on some type of wood ceiling

Quote:

Originally Posted by ProWallGuy

you are supposed to punch in your own production rates/prices,
No options for fast, medium, or slow situations.
No options for difficulty factor.
I like cheese
A wood window, 7-8 panes, prime with brush.. I must be overcharging.
Seems like it would take forever to enter all my data and cheese
I would have to completely re-arrange and add in what a real painter woud do or use. Cheese is good
I also couldn't find where to change the default labor rates.
PEP and Paintcost have their ups and downs too.
You might want to download the other two and play with them before you commit.

I'm assuming you either bought the Dev or got a free trial?
Bah...I'll have to check out the site later and see if they offer one...

AAPaint · 05-17-2006, 02:57 PM

I am using Devwaves 4.0.2 software. You have to input all of your own rates...the ones in there are only examples.

On the "rates and settings" tab there are a bunch of categories to put things under. Select "Paint covering" and this is where you put in the material description and I put things like "Stucco exterior, SW Super Paint" and another one for "Stucco Exterior, SW A-100" etc. For each one you put in "coverage, application rate, cost (per gallon), and labor rate" which will be the default rate you set by clicking "rates and setting" on the FILE menu up top. You input all company info, even your logo. I put coatings and substrates together in this category and have different items for each coating/substrate combo we frequently use. The program will automatically calculate all those figures for you into a rate per sq. ft. when you click the "rate" button. These are your true rates because you select the coverage per gallon, hourly rate, production rate etc for every item.

Click on door styles, I input things like "6 panel door, SW Pro Classic" and put in a more realistic rate like "$45"....it will calculate that $45 for however many coats I select.

Yes, it does take putting in all of your data, but that doesn't take long if your keeping track of everything anyway. Look at it as just a big calculator/database/formatting program. All the info it calculates, creates databases and work order for, or formats into an estimate/contract is what you put in.

05-17-2006, 06:10 AM	#7
George Z View Profile George Z Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (1,836) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Painting Contractor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,836	Re: Devwave Paint Estimator Pro V. 4.0.2 Available AA, Very nice. Can you e-mail that to the customer? Maybe after you PDF it? __________________ Toronto Painters Commercial Painting Commercial Painting Toronto Toronto Office Painters Painting Toronto Blog

05-17-2006, 09:09 AM	#9
JMGP View Profile JMGP Painting Contractor Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (267) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Painting Contractor Trade: Painting Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 267	Re: Devwave Paint Estimator Pro V. 4.0.2 Available AA, I have the same program... I had there other version and this one was emailed to me for free (probably the same for you) What an excellent program... it is a must try... I have been using the PEP program for a few years now and I will be using the DeVWave software for my mobil office estimates... its a perfect program for that... I would have to buy the PEP program again in order to set it up for mobil office...I paid $99 for it a few years ago and they want $500 for it now... and all they added to it was a choice of contracts....dont get me wrong.. I think the PEP program is excellent also BUT... DevWave is a better choice for mobil estimates... like you said once you add your info into it... thats it... after that everything is point and click... the only thing you will have to type is name and address of customer... it quick, simple and very fast... thats why it is a good software for mobil estimates... anyways.... it has my endorsment!!! Joe

05-17-2006, 10:04 AM	#11
ProWallGuy View Profile ProWallGuy Back from the dead... Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (6,544) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Back from the dead... Trade: Paperhanger/Painter Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: St. Louis, MO Posts: 6,544	Re: Devwave Paint Estimator Pro V. 4.0.2 Available Adam, which version are you talking about. I dl'ed Estimate Works Paint Pro 4 last night, and have been playing around with it. I also dl'ed PEP -05 and Paintcost Estimator. They all have major limitations IMHO. Devwave, I see no where to markup your final price? And who calls painting a wall 'wall covering'? Doesn't the industry refer to wallpaper as 'wall covering'? Not painting. They give a lot of options for different items, but most would never be used, and a lot of basics aren't there. For example, they include for ceilings: Latex Enamel Ceiling (Brush on drywall). Who brushes out a ceiling? They also offer a T&G ceiling, and masonry primer for ceilings. How often would these be used? And I know you are supposed to punch in your own production rates/prices, but are the ones it comes pre-loaded with realistic? I filled it out for a 12 X 12 room, one coat ceiling, 2 coats walls, and only comes to $156.00 with tax and materials? Holy crap! No options for fast, medium, or slow situations. No options for difficulty factor. A wood window, 7-8 panes, prime with brush, $9.80? Wow, I must be overcharging. Is this the version you are using? Seems like it would take forever to enter all my data, as I would have to completely re-arrange and add in what a real painter woud do or use. I also couldn't find where to change the default labor rates. PEP and Paintcost have their ups and downs too. You might want to download the other two and play with them before you commit. __________________ Wallpaper Hanger St. Louis Digital Murals Installation Last edited by ProWallGuy; 05-17-2006 at 10:09 AM.

05-17-2006, 12:07 PM	#12
JMGP View Profile JMGP Painting Contractor Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (267) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Painting Contractor Trade: Painting Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: New Hampshire Posts: 267	Re: Devwave Paint Estimator Pro V. 4.0.2 Available Pro, everything you see on the Dev program is obviously just a sample and not realistic... you will have to delete what they have and ad your own.. yes it does take time... but I beleive it is well worth it... it does have have an area where you can click and ad for dificulty... OR while you are pre loading your own info you could ad it in then... take some more time to go over the DEV software again... its all there... there isnt a single software program out there that would come packaged exactly they way you need it for your company... you will have to take the time to work with it... patience pays off... I do think both software programs have there limits... Dev Wave takes requests on how to better there software... maybe if more painting professionals emailed them requests they could come up with a very powerful software program that would be exactly what we all are looking for... anyways... I would spend more time with the software before I judged it... Joe

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05-16-2006, 10:29 PM	#2
George Z View Profile George Z Pro Send Message Follow Blogs (0) Threads (1,836) Photos (0) Reviews (0) Projects (0) Toolbox (0) View All Activity Pro Trade: Painting Contractor Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Toronto Posts: 1,836	Re: Devwave Paint Estimator Pro V. 4.0.2 Available AA, I had this program two years ago, not the new version obviously. I found it really unusable and returned it. I can't remember exactly why, some weird stuff like production rates based on the "covering" or coating as opposed to the substrate. When asking questions, the otherwise friendly lady had no idea what production rate estimating or anything else was. I ended up thinking any system has to be employed to serve our company, not the other way around. We are not a big company(5 painters), and I can handle about 10-15 multi page proposals a week. I can have a simple one done in half hour, so I have no time to learn some new system now, there is so much other stuff to learn. Our proposal is very thorough and very detailed. As RK used to say, it is our silent salesperson. If I can see the need for an estimating program, I will revisit it again. It's not going to be the Devwave. I am glad it is working for you though. __________________ Toronto Painters Commercial Painting Commercial Painting Toronto Toronto Office Painters Painting Toronto Blog

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