Estimating and bidding help.

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safewirenut

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Wasilla,Alaska
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.
 
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
 
101010 said:
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
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Does anyone have a link for this software pls?
 
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.
 
satcom said:
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.
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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]
 
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?
 
satcom said:
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?
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$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
 
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.
 
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.
 
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
 
Minuteman said:
I just bought mine from Craftsmen Books, as I did not understand the "free shipping" promo from Amazon.
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The free shipping promo usually applies to orders of $25 or more. You get it shipped "standard" 5 - 9 business days. [/quote]
 
Minuteman said:
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.
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Paul B said:
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
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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?
 
celtic said:
satcom said:
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.
Click to expand...

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]
Click to expand...

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.
 
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