Estimator

2tones

craftsman national painting cost estimator...do you use it? like it? hate it? opinions...

JAARONC

It is confusing!!

copusbuilder

I used to use Exactimate. It worked for insurance companies but was terrible if you were just doing painting. I have never been a believer in these programs. Basically making everyone a button pusher and telling you what you can earn

I have tried a few others and have found them all useless.
That said...I have not seen or heard of the program you mentioned! Maybe they finally got one

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ProWallGuy

I use it occassionally to double check times on weird items, like conduit, or anything else I don't do a lot of. If I have no production rates on a particular item or surface, i will try and figure out how long it will take. Then i compare it to the guide.

As a stand-alone estimating guide, I wouldn't feel comfortable using it. It is high and low for different things compared to my rates.

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prolinefinishes

I just purchased the 2006 craftsman painters estimating guide. I was hoping for something ALOT less confusing as far as helping out with estimating alot of things.
Anyone know of some better options? Far as i am concerned the 2006 guide is a waste for what i was looking to get out of it. Hopefully i too will be able to find some use of it for certain jobs that i wouldnt do on a normal basis.

prolinefinishes

a good example. I got a new home...... Lady wants to seal her basement floor. Not because it needs it. because all her friends are doing it!

Not necessary, but she still wants to give me her money. Its about 2000sf of concrete in an unfinished basement. What i want is something to help give me a better idea of how to price something like this.

Bret

I bought a new old stock 2003 copy off of eBay a few months ago for under 10 bucks. It is definately written for someone who is very versed in commercial painting terminology. Personally, I dont care for for how the information is laid out. It took me a few hours of examination to get it.
It's a nice price guide to see what the "so called" price reference is. Unfortunately, it only takes into consideration that all projects are perfect with no PITA factor. To me it seems that the book is more geared for a person that estimates large projects for a living and contractors with very large painting jobs.
I'll stick with the good old T&M method.

Bret

Humble Abode

Very true. Like PWG said it is just a guide. In order to get an accurate quote from it you need to do a lot of your own tweaking and things like that are just not found within the confines of any computer program.

That said, I use it. I plug in all my numbers and then do it again with my own job costs. It has a huge learning curve. It took me a year of using it on every bid to get something I was even semi comfortable submitting.

When your just beginning to use it it gives you bids that are way to low and confusing terminology is also a problem.

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Just because some of us can read and write and do a little math, that doesn't mean we deserve to conquer the Universe. Kurt Vonnegut, (1922 - 2007) from the Novel 'Hocus Pocus'
The NAPP
Milwaukee Painting Contractor

2tones

glad to hear the imput, i was begining to think it was just me. actually started to think i must not know as much about painting as i thought

kaskon

I bought the 2003 NATIONAL PAINT ESTIMATOR off Ebay, It's in US dollars so I convert it to New Zealand (Kiwi). Best book I know for the Newbie Contractor, I take this book with me all the time. When I'm on a break I just keep reading it, when clients ask a wierd question I flip this baby out and problem solved. This book is a guide only as I see it, and you can't beat added experience. Also I trawl this forum as well.

slickshift

I refer to the CM 05 Nat Est
As mentioned, it can help as a guide
It should not be used as a sole guide to your pricing
You should use your own production rates and overhead figures to determine that

-and it can be helpful for those weird questions and things you haven't run across

prolinefinishes

I just know that its easier for me to look at the job, determine how much my time/materials will cost, and go from there. Maybe check the book to see how far off i am on the job. unless i am looking at it ALL wrong, the prices i come up with on some of the things i looked at in the book are WAY off base. too low, that is. But i am probably not figureing in quite a few things .
I think i just need to spend some quality time on the crapper reading through it all completely.