Estimating Software

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sparky76

Senior Member
Location
So Cal
I'm ready to pick up some estimating software. I've demoed the ConEst software and like what I see, but I want to hear from the guys who have real world experience. Looking to hear from he guys who have driven ConEst, McCormick and Accubid. Especially interested in hearing from guys who have experience in more than one program.
 
Just got a call today from Vision Soft... (CD came in the mail this weekend)

And an E-mail from TurboBid... (Download was last week)

It must be that time of year!

I still use my Excel spreadsheet that calculates all my material / labor costs.

I'll be checking both out this week... After I hire another J-man...
 

sparky76

Senior Member
Location
So Cal
oh yeah. I should mention that I want to use software to primarily bid TIs and upfits, commercail remodels, new commercial construction, a small percentagfe of custom resi and some muti family/multi use. So pretty much all over the board I guess.
 

jimmyglen

Senior Member
I recenty went through a lot of the posts on this topic because I am thinking about getting some sort of program

I know this is goofy but I want one of the mouse type device that scales everything off

do any (or all) of these use that device

it just looks cool to me
 

Len

Senior Member
Location
Bucks County
software

software

I have been using ConEst for 2 years. The program is very good, support is also very good.
You can modify anything you like and see all kinds of reporst. also missing labor and material cost reports.
I would recomend this program.
 

sparky76

Senior Member
Location
So Cal
Thanks for the replies. Len- did you demo any other software before chosing ConEst? I've got the demo right now and frankly I'm lost w/o the 4hours of training that they provide.
 

cparrott1984

Member
Location
Baltimore, MD
ConEst is a 6.5 out of 10 in my opinion

ConEst is a 6.5 out of 10 in my opinion

I have been using ConEst for 6 months now..... I don't like it. It's seems to me that amateurs programmed it. I've found many glitches.... They nickel and dime you for everything. There are alot of little things that bother me I could tell you about. But that would take me all day(If you really want to know I'll tell you). I also have experienced there "Basic Training" seminar which was good. But I signed up the the Basic Training Advanced" thinking it would be class #2..... Nah it was the same seminar as the "Basic Training". Nobody bothered to let me know it was the same class.. nope they just took our money. The hotel was not right so I booked my hotel at the wrong place. All in All my company lost about $4000.

This program is about a 6.5 out of 10
 

sparky76

Senior Member
Location
So Cal
Thanx for your input cparrot. It means a lot to me since ConEst has been working me the hardest. I liked what I saw in their demo, what don't you like about their software?
 
I ran through Vision InfoSoft's estimating program over the last week.

The sales rep called 2 times, we went over it online, did the demo. I asked questions.

I am impressed. $2k is a lot of money.

They are thinking the first time I get a $100k job, the software will pay for itself.


And, if they are doing their due diligence... I think they would be right.

Check it out. I like it.

I looked at Turbo Bid as well. The designer is an electrician, and a member of this site. They have neat features, but I think it is strictly resi...

Food for thought.

Greg
 

emahler

Senior Member
we are looking at the Maxwell systems due to it's ability to allow us to handle electrical, mechanical, plumbing and General...

anyone have any experience with this? we'll demo it after the new year....
 

sfav8r

Senior Member
I'm ready to pick up some estimating software. I've demoed the ConEst software and like what I see, but I want to hear from the guys who have real world experience. Looking to hear from he guys who have driven ConEst, McCormick and Accubid. Especially interested in hearing from guys who have experience in more than one program.

the type of work you do makes a big difference in what program will make you more efficient. Some programs are outstanding, but require a long time to do an estimate. If you do a lot of smaller jobs, it gets frustrating. For residential work, I don't think you can beat TurboBid. We tried other programs and have found TurboBid to be the best for residential. We don't do much commercial though.

Good luck, and whatever you buy, make sure you allow lots of time to implement it. And make sure you have a decent outline of how you're going to implement it. The worst value is the one you buy and install and then it just sits there.
 

cparrott1984

Member
Location
Baltimore, MD
ConEst is a 6 out of 10 in my opinion

ConEst is a 6 out of 10 in my opinion

ConEst has MANY Glitches... and I'm also saying that alot of this "Programming" is done by amateur programmers. I am a ConEst user and I am "Kinda" happy with it but not fully! Maybe I am taking this alittle bit over board??? Nah..... If you are going to spend that kind of money on a program.... You want top of the line.. and from what I seen from accubid it looks fantastic... very well put together.

1.) Its real pain in the ass sometimes to get around in the program to do simple things.

2.) You can't resize columns.

3.) I don't know about the other estimating softwares.... but in conEst you cannot edit or make a custom "Report" with out buying "crystal reports" so that is more $$$ you have to spend.

4.) in the "Description" Text box... under "Item Maintenance" if you type to many Characters in a text box... you cant press the backspace button or change any of the text you have inputed. You have to press the "Delete" key or highlight it, right click, and "cut" it. It took me FOREVER TO FIGURE OUT YOU HAD TO PRESS THE DELETE KEY!

5.) To edit master group assemblies you have to go under "Job Spec" and then click "Assembly group" after the screen pops up you will see "Edit Master Assembly groups" at the bottom right hand corner. This should be under the "Maintenance" Bar on the job tool bar! IT TOOK ME FOREVER TO FIND THIS!!

http://www.stifflock.com/voltamperes/pictures/conPic1.JPG
http://www.stifflock.com/voltamperes/pictures/conPic2.JPG
http://www.stifflock.com/voltamperes/pictures/conPic3.JPG
http://www.stifflock.com/voltamperes/pictures/conPic4.JPG
http://www.stifflock.com/voltamperes/pictures/conPic5.JPG
http://www.stifflock.com/voltamperes/pictures/conPic6.JPG
http://www.stifflock.com/voltamperes/pictures/conPic7.JPG

I would suggest looking in to Accubid... I wish my company would have!
 
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Great Estimating Software that I use

Great Estimating Software that I use

Been using a program called ACES Pro. It is not very different from ConEst, McCormick or Accubid except for one major area, the price. They sell their software on a subscription basis for $45 per month per key and the first 30 days are free. I have 6 systems and instead of laying out 18k, I pay $270 a month. It is a multi-user system so all of us can work in the same estimate. They also have the best recaps in the industry. My understanding is that it was developed by electrical estimators that were tired of paying exorbitant prices for software. There website is www.acesestimating.com. I have a lot of friends in the industry that are small shops and they feel that it is the best deal going.
 

wamegojim

Member
Location
NC
I have used pretty much all the different software that is out there except for Mccormick. When I demoed McCormick it was still a dos based program and they were calling windows a fad.

I have seen it since then and it appears to be much the same with a windows GUI overlay.

I have used both ConEst and Accubid at various companies over the last 10 years. This is a pretty common discussion in other threads as well. My pick is for ConEst. I am using Accubid now and wish I had ConEst. ConEst has way more pre-built assemblies which will save time upfront, more flexibility to allow you to make changes, better support, ability to actually make changes on the takeoff screen, and the key individuals have actually been successful contractors. Oh yea, American made vs. canadian made!

I'm not sure what the previous poster means by glitches. I have not seen any when I used it. Perhaps he just didn't like having to change and learn new software. I find it to be sort of fun...new toys like Christmas!

Feel free to email me direct if you want a complete rundown of what I find to be key differences. Accubid does have a great sort feature that ConEst doesn't. That is not worth the difference for me though.
 

dduffee260

Senior Member
Location
Texas
we are looking at the Maxwell systems due to it's ability to allow us to handle electrical, mechanical, plumbing and General...

anyone have any experience with this? we'll demo it after the new year....

Isin't that the old Estimation software? I think they bought Estimation out. From what I remember Estimation was the most expensive but had horrible support. Let me know what comes about.
 

tkb

Senior Member
Location
MA
I use ConEst at my current job, but I have used Accubid before now.

In Accubid I find it easier to find items in the database. You can pick from the item database or the assembly database. You can also edit the database on the fly during the takeoff.

In ConEst the items and assemblies are all mixed together in one database.
Also you can't change the resolution of the display. It is only a full screen if you set your screen to 480x640. You can run a take off report unless you are in that screen.

There are a lot of little thing that Accubid does that are very hard to do in ConEst.

I like Accubid much better.
 

ksmith846

Senior Member
I use Quantum XP from Electrical Resources (ERI)........It is easy to use and has a lot of premade assemblies which are even eaiser to adjust. Runs $3K up front with 1K per year for pricing updates and they update the price 2 times a month. Program intergrates with Quickbook software as well.

Oh it even has Auto Branch for figuiring out all of your branch wiring and homeruns.......via square foot after youu enter all of your assemblies....like all other programs you have to adjust it some to your likings.:)
 

101010

Senior Member
I have Visions infosoft. Has anyone compared this to conest ,acubid or mccormick? I like the program but have not tried the others. I do only commercial , which is suited for commercial best?
 
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