Electrical estamateing software.
- Thread starter swgroupe
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grasfulls
Always tired, so cannot retire
- Location
- Placer County. CA
- Occupation
- Professional inane question maker
Best software
Best software
The one that works best for your application, sometimes it is simply what you develop in-house. What type of jobs? What type of shop? What is your software budget, including annual or monthly subscriptions to pricing updates?
Best software
The one that works best for your application, sometimes it is simply what you develop in-house. What type of jobs? What type of shop? What is your software budget, including annual or monthly subscriptions to pricing updates?
electricblue
Senior Member
- Location
- Largo, Florida
- Occupation
- EC
Look at turbobid
Strathead
Senior Member
- Location
- Ocala, Florida, USA
- Occupation
- Electrician/Estimator/Project Manager/Superintendent
I am with Grasfulls, there is no "best". I have used Accubid, McCormick, Visionsoft, and an Excel spreadsheet. Each has its advantages and its disadvantages. Each can be modified to fit your needs. Really, the main thing you are paying for is the database, not the software. Most of them will let you take it for a spin. Find the one you are most comfortable with.
SalixKetuur
Member
- Location
- Canada
Accubid
Accubid
We use Accubid Pro 11. It works very well at keeping everything organized. The database that comes with it is quite complete, however, the assemblies it comes with are more set up for commercial projects. I bid on a lot more industrial than commercial and have had to create a lot of my own assemblies which took some time initially. I still run into quite a few instances where I must create temporary assemblies, or just build it specific for one take off. Populating and editting my database is an on-going process. I very much like the ability to and ease with-which the database(s) can be managed.
I have quite recently started using the Supplier Link and Price Update features through Tra-Ser. Very nice feature. I am not sure which other software platforms allow you to do this (I have only used Accubid and Excel for my estimates).
In short, Accubid is a very good program, easy to use and offers lots of flexibilty and manageability.
Accubid
We use Accubid Pro 11. It works very well at keeping everything organized. The database that comes with it is quite complete, however, the assemblies it comes with are more set up for commercial projects. I bid on a lot more industrial than commercial and have had to create a lot of my own assemblies which took some time initially. I still run into quite a few instances where I must create temporary assemblies, or just build it specific for one take off. Populating and editting my database is an on-going process. I very much like the ability to and ease with-which the database(s) can be managed.
I have quite recently started using the Supplier Link and Price Update features through Tra-Ser. Very nice feature. I am not sure which other software platforms allow you to do this (I have only used Accubid and Excel for my estimates).
In short, Accubid is a very good program, easy to use and offers lots of flexibilty and manageability.
kennydmeek
Member
- Location
- Frederick MD
I use ES2 Electrical Flat Rate. http://electricalflatrate.com Excellent for service work in the light commercial/residential realm, and the members forum is awesome. It's $99 a month and you can quit anytime if you don't like it. James Brush is the developer and very personable and helpful.
I've never used TurboBid but Bill Ruffner (the developer)is very personable and helpful as well. If I did larger scale work I would probably own it, as Bill has been right there through the years I've been deciding.
Both of these guys will get to know you as you're deciding, and neither are hard sell types. I have great respect for both.
I've never used TurboBid but Bill Ruffner (the developer)is very personable and helpful as well. If I did larger scale work I would probably own it, as Bill has been right there through the years I've been deciding.
Both of these guys will get to know you as you're deciding, and neither are hard sell types. I have great respect for both.
I agree with Kenny here. (Only that I chose www.turbobid.net) I would recommend your researching both these products by making contact with the people Kenny mentioned. Then consider your business model to compare features with your needs. Some issues would be.
Cost per year
Type of work, and what percentage
Employees?
Is a customer relationship system needed?
How you do scheduling
How you assemble bids or quotes
How you want to present the price to the customer
How you do bookkeeping and track jobs and inventory
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