Estimating Software Portland OR

In order to provide quick and accurate estimates, contractors are turning to estimating software to submit proposals that are detail-orientated with a fast turnover. This allows them to bid on more projects while gaining a sense of professionalism at the same time. Although there are several benefits from using the software, such as consistency and keeping overhead costs down, it is essential for the contractor to select software that is tailored to their company's needs and size.

According to Ed Coffin, ConEst Software Systems, certain considerations should come in to play when selecting the right software. He recommends users ask if the software meets the present goals of the company as well as having the flexibility and growth to address future needs. After purchasing a software system that is catered to the company's needs, does it necessarily mean a spike in profitability? More often than not, yes. After all, Coffin notes, if contractors can estimate more jobs accurately, they can increase the chance of winning more bids.

Furthermore, by generating precise, quality bids in a smaller window of time that reflects realistic labor and material costs allows the contractor the tools they need to maximize profits, Coffin adds. It's important to note that product support and training options offered by the software vendor are critical to successful implementation of a new estimating system.

"Many of our customers are experiencing increases in profitability from 10 to 25 percent per project through better tracking, time savings, and labor efficiencies," says Tim Bigoness, vice president of sales and marketing, D-Tools. "Since estimates are generated from actual product data and specifications and labor calculations are automatically generated by product, phase and difficulty, contractors can be assured that the price they are quoting is more accurate and provides for profitability."

Bigoness says better tracking of project inventory items means that contractors can save time and extra cost by ensuring that their installation teams arrive to the jobsite with all products needed for the job and they can eliminate potential errors or omissions that can cost them money on the back end.

New wave of software

No longer are software companies pushing out conventional estimating solutions. Instead they are introducing a new wave of estimating that allows for the contractor to use alternatives such as CAD-based takeoff software to automatically detect and quantify cost components from the engineer's files, according to Steve Andrews, senior technical writer and publisher, Extensions newsletter, Accubid. In terms of productivity and accuracy, CAD-based estimating is a quantum leap ahead of traditional computerized estimating.

Also incorporating CAD into their software line-up is McCormick Systems, which has been listening to contractors for more than 26 years at their annual User's Conference. They've gotten into programs for PDAs as well as implemented project management features into their software.

"Over the last several years we've seen a trend towards more conceptual, proof-of-concept estimates," says Gary Simpson, senior product manager, Sage Software, Construction and Real Estate. "Model estimating was developed to provide these early estimates with the detail and assumptions to back up the numbers."

Now more than ever, estimating software has become easier to use with several companies developing systems for new computer users in mind, while providing advanced takeoff and analysis. Training sessions are available from most companies via on-line, webinars or even onsite.

Although to some it may seem a big jump to convert from manually to electronically, the contractor needs to keep in mind that they don't need to change their method of estimating when incorporating software into their business. Several vendors have software developed by other electrical contractors for electrical contractors so the programs work the way they do.