Estimating and bidding help.

[safewirenut]

I am attempting to form a electrical contracting business whth a focus on upscale residential new construction,which may include automation and lighting controls,and service work.
I do not have a solid grasp on how to estimate and bid a project properly nor do I currently have a bidding software program. If anyone on this Forum could provide me with referrals to a training program for residential bidding that has proven to be successful, as well as a bidding software program that is efficient yet somewhat easy to understand and use,I would greatly appreciate your input and I thank you in advance for your time in responding.

[101010]

Just bought vision software after reading about it on this forum,so far i love it.Pretty easy to use and you can get it with a few extras for 1500 bucks

[Oakey]

Just bought vision software after reading about it on this forum,so far i love it.Pretty easy to use and you can get it with a few extras for 1500 bucks

Does anyone have a link for this software pls?

[satcom]

Best softwate for estimating, national electrical estimator, the price is way up there, it will cost you $52 for referance book, software, and video user estimating instruction, the job cost wizard lets you invoice, or export to existing invoices, we love it, i have used $5,000 programs, that don't do, what this program does.

[bdarnell]

Does anyone have a link for this software pls?

http://www.visioninfosoft.com/

[celtic]

Best softwate for estimating national electrical estimator, the price is way up there, it will cost you $52 for referance book, software, and video user estimating, instruction, the job cost wizard lets you invoice, or export to existing invoices, we keep we love it, i have used $5,000 programs, that don't do, what this program does.

You can start saving some money NOW....get it at amazon: $33 no s/h, no tax :D Comes with the CD and the reference book.

I'd post the link, but for some reason :roll: , I can't copy paste :?: [/url]

[bdarnell]

http://www.craftsman-book.com/products/info/nee.htm

[satcom]

Celtic,

It has been a real asset for us, the pricing is pretty much on target, provided you consider site conditions, wow $33, i wonder if they have the complete construction set at a bargin price?

[celtic]

Celtic,

It has been a real asset for us, the pricing is pretty much on target, provided you consider site conditions, wow $33, i wonder if they have the complete construction set at a bargin price?

$33.23 out the door at amazon.


Amazon also has a version that is $52.75 (no s/h, tax) saying it is a "subscription".

Reading the blurb after each does not reveal what the difference is.

Craftsmanbooks is $52.75 plus s/h.

There is also a FREE version that was hawked by Home Depot.
They called it the "Home Depot Worksite CD" . I cannot find this anywhere on the web - only on my hard drive :D.
If someone were willing to host a 404,997 kb .zip file.....you see where that's headed :)

The HD product uses the the tne.exe and can be updated DAILY from the closest HD to you - pretty good for keeping the copper prices current :lol:


ALL these products are the SAME product - it all depends on how much you want to part with:
- Free ~ someone host
- $33.23 (no s/h or tax) ~ amazon
- $52.75 (no s/h or tax)) ~ amazon
- $52.75 (plus s/h, ?tax) ~ craftsmanbooks

[Oakey]

Thank you gents...Ordered it, it'll be a big help.

[celtic]

Ordered it....

You're really into suspense !
How much were you willing to part with?

[frank_n]

I bought it from Amazon for $33 and installed it today. Trying to figure it out.

Frank

[electricguy]

I bought it from Amazon for $33 and installed it today. Trying to figure it out.

Frank
I just watched some of the online video that came with the demo last night.
I am hoping to learn how to use it soon.

[Oakey]

Took your advice and went with this one. - $33.23 (no s/h or tax) ~ amazon. I have a commercial gig coming up so I have 2 weeks to learn the thing.

[Minuteman]

I just bought mine from Craftsmen Books, as I did not understand the "free shipping" promo from Amazon.

I have played with it on 2 bids so far. I guess I will get better at it. I did both bids with TNE and my own way. My 1st, TNE & my way were in the same ball park. 2nd attempt, not in the same zip code.

[Paul B]

Minuteman I find that to be the case on most bid software. I use two or three on each bid and my own estimate the old fashioned way and very seldom do they come very close to each other. I usually come up with some average in between and use it.

Paul

[celtic]

I just bought mine from Craftsmen Books, as I did not understand the "free shipping" promo from Amazon.


The free shipping promo usually applies to orders of $25 or more. You get it shipped "standard" 5 - 9 business days. [/quote]

[celtic]

I have played with it on 2 bids so far. I guess I will get better at it. I did both bids with TNE and my own way. My 1st, TNE & my way were in the same ball park. 2nd attempt, not in the same zip code.

Minuteman I find that to be the case on most bid software. I use two or three on each bid and my own estimate the old fashioned way and very seldom do they come very close to each other. I usually come up with some average in between and use it.

Paul


After using the product for awhile, you will be able to give accurate ballpark figures "on site". If the customer seems interested, you do the actual work of take-off.
You guys don't really think I sit here and work up an actual esimate for every one of these estimate posts, do you?

[electricguy]

Just in Case anybody has some Qs A Representive from craftsmans books is in the ECN Chat Room at the moment

[sparkyallday]

Best softwate for estimating national electrical estimator, the price is way up there, it will cost you $52 for referance book, software, and video user estimating, instruction, the job cost wizard lets you invoice, or export to existing invoices, we keep we love it, i have used $5,000 programs, that don't do, what this program does.

You can start saving some money NOW....get it at amazon: $33 no s/h, no tax :D Comes with the CD and the reference book.

I'd post the link, but for some reason :roll: , I can't copy paste :?: [/url]

I JUST LOOKED ON AMAZON IS THIS A COMPUTER PROGRAM OR A BOOK? iF IT IS A PROGRAM IS IT SOMTHING THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE FOR ESTIMATING. THERE WERE NO SPECKS ON AMAZON.

[celtic]

I JUST LOOKED ON AMAZON IS THIS A COMPUTER PROGRAM OR A BOOK? iF IT IS A PROGRAM IS IT SOMTHING THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE FOR ESTIMATING. THERE WERE NO SPECKS ON AMAZON.

Stop yelling.
All CAPS is considered yelling, it is rude, and it makes it dam difficult to read.
All CAPS should be used for emphasis only.


Amazon seems to offer 2 products:
1- 2006 National Electrical Estimator (National Electrical Estimator) (Paperback) (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1572181605/sr=8-1/qid=1145845220/ref=pd_bbs_1/002-1521811-9581613?%5Fencoding=UTF8)
$33.23

The description/product detail on this item states:
Publisher: Craftsman Book Company; Bk&CD-Rom edition (October 2005)
Says CD ROM....may or may not include material updates...BUT, one person (of the 2 that did review it)
stated:
...it has added benifits of a cd and internet access.
(also saw a used one for like $12 at this link)

2- National Electrical Estimator [MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION] (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00006KP45/qid=1145845220/sr=8-3/ref=sr_1_3/002-1521811-9581613?%5Fencoding=UTF8&v=glance&n=599858)
$52.75

The description/product detail on this item states:
No indication of a CD.
May or may not include book and CD, but may pnly be a subscruption to material updates.

You could contact Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/browse/-/518316/ref=cm_r8n_hmd_contact/002-1521811-9581613) and ask them what is included (book and CD, book only, CD only, etc).

Alternately, you could stroll into any Barnes and Nobles store and see what is included with the item.
That is exactly how I stumbled on to TNE...way back in '96.

[frank_n]

I JUST LOOKED ON AMAZON IS THIS A COMPUTER PROGRAM OR A BOOK? iF IT IS A PROGRAM IS IT SOMTHING THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY USE FOR ESTIMATING. THERE WERE NO SPECKS ON AMAZON.

It's a program and a book :P

Frank

[jeff43222]

I just ordered a copy for myself. Looking forward to seeing how it works. Some of my estimates the old-fashioned way have been pretty accurate, and some have been way off. Maybe TNE will smooth things out.

P.S. 1000 posts! Woo hoo! Soon I'll surpass Bob! :D

[dlhoule]

[
quote]P.S. 1000 posts! Woo hoo! Soon I'll surpass Bob! [/quote]

Yeah, but Bob knows what he is talking about most of the time. :P :P
I guess I'll congratulate you on a job well done. :D

[celtic]

P.S. 1000 posts! Woo hoo! Soon I'll surpass Bob! :D

Yeah, but Bob knows what he is talking about most of the time. :P :P


MOST of the time....LMAO :lol:

[iwire]

P.S. 1000 posts! Woo hoo! Soon I'll surpass Bob! :D

Yeah, but Bob knows what he is talking about most of the time. :P :P


MOST of the time....LMAO :lol:

:lol:

I can be very happy with 'most of the time'. 8)

It's much better than 'once in a while'. :shock: