Estimating Software

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trunkle

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I am looking for some feedback on estimating software that is out there. I have a small company with two estimators, and project mangers that would use the software, and we typically do commericial and higher end residential work.

I am looking at AccuBID and Estimation as two software options. I am wondering if anyone has feedback on those or other software packages.

Thanks...
 
Estimating Software

I have been using Accubid products for about seven years now and have nothing but praise for them.
Their product is easy to learn, easy to use, and their tech support is without a doubt the best in the entire computer business.
They have several levels of product but if you are running a small business, their basic product should serve you well (It is easy to upgrade later if you find the need for more bells and whistles).
Just be prepared to spend a considerable number of manhours customizing the database to fit your needs and locale (This is typical of all estimating software).
The programs are only as good as what you feed them.
Check with your suppliers and see if they offer electronic updates to keep your pricing current. This is a big help.
Any questions, send me a PM.
 
We have been using Vision Software's EBM Estimator for about 10 years and it has worked well for us. You can download it and try it too. Here's a link http://www.visioninfosoft.com/products/electrical/ebm/

A good way to check out a system is to dummy up a simple set of plans or use a small job that you've already done and then do the takeoff with each of the systems your thinking of trying. See first what each software package comes up with for cost of materials and also labor hours and see how it compares to how your guys actually work. One system will probably just seem easier to use and you'll feel more comfortable with it. Remember it will take time to get assemblies set up the way you want. They always advertise thousands of assemblies and parts but many of those will need tweaking.


I think that any time you change estimating procedures it requires some time to get comfortable with the new method where you know that your back in the sweet spot and are bidding with some form of consistancy and feel confident that the pricing and labor is right. I think consistancy is the most important factor when estimating. If you have a method that works for you and you can use it for all your work then you have the assurance that your price is correct and that if you do the job it will be good to your bottom line.

There's always someone out there that is just guessing or has missed something and they may well be lower than you. But you'll know where your at...That's a good thing!
 
I used Estimation for years & eventually grew so frustrated with their system that I moved on to Vision Software. I will never go back to Estimation...even if it was free.

Vision has a good estimating system, a good billing system, and offers a more reasonable pricing service (Epic Pricing) which ties both of these systems together with more accurate 'target' pricing than Trade Service.

I've been using Vision's Electrical Bid Manager, T&M Billing & Epic Pricing for about 8 years now & it's been a positive change.
 
Estimating Software

You mention that you do high end residential work. There is a program called TurboBid for estimating residential projects. It seems to be easier and more accurate for residential estimates than the other programs that I've tried. They have a fully functional trial version available at www.turbobid.net.
 
Sql-ledger

Sql-ledger

Although It is not marketed as "electrical estimating software" sql-ledger is a web based accounting app I have been using to estimate residential remodel for the past 4 years.
Don't be sacred by "Linux" or the price (free) either.
If you have a Linux expert on your customer list call them and ask about it.
It runs on a on a desktop as well as a server. You use it like you would use Quickbooks and record all the parts you buy items you sell for a year or so, your employees can enter time cards from anywhere they have web access. Your accountant or book keeper can work on your books from anywhere etc. Many users can enter data & use it at the same time.
You set up user accounts for each employee granting them different permissions for the data they need to enter.
You can attach a amount a of time to a part in an "assembly" you can attach assembly's to make larger assembly's thus making a bid in a few clicks. Your bid will reflect the prices you last paid for the parts and how much time your employees take to install them. I make different assembly's for different types of old houses. Gutted to studs, lath & plaster W knob & Tube. 70's ranch with no attic, Condos with aluminum 12/2. etc.
Your bid then becomes your work order for managing the job. You spot things that are not going as estimated and correct the problem.
The advantage is it is open source software like Firefox and Openoffice, meaning you can customize the database or software however you want. Like you can open the hood of your truck and change the oil.
Closed source is like buying a new truck with the hood welded shut.
However once you open the hood and tinker you may spend a lot of time with it.

We run Sql-ledger on a Gentoo Linux server since Linux or Unix is more secure than other operating systems, free and is easy to maintain.
Note: You access sql-ledger just like any other website so no special program needed on the users desktop.Just like Google ebay and Paypal run on Linux or Unix servers you use them from your web browser (firefox, IE, safari, konqueror, etc..).

Any customizations you do can be done with any local programmer whom knows Html LaTex, Perl, and Postgresql. It was easy to find people on our customer list whom do excellent work.
The cost of Sql-ledger is free but you will pay for the programmer and support from the company.
A good local parts house will help you build a database of the parts and prices or your programmer can import a paid one.
Everyone is pleased with it except the bookkeeper whom is very used to quickbooks.
Plus it is nice to be able to work on estimates/ run the business at home, in the feild or, anywhere wireless internet is available.
 
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We used Vision EBM for years. A few years ago they changed the whole program architecture to an SQL database (EBM 3000). It was very slow and buggy at first, and we hung in there while they made updates and fixes. I went through a major crash in the program where I lost a job, on bid day, that I had worked on for 2 weeks. They would send upgrades that would fix problems, but un-do previous fixes. We finally lost confidence in the program. I finally told the owner unless he could deliver us a program that "worked", we would not renew. Apparently, they were unable to fix the bugs.
It's a shame, because I liked the way the program worked from a takeoff standpoint. Especially the fixture and gear modules. We have changed to Conest, and I'm still adjusting. It has it's features I like and don't like, but at least it's stable.
 
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