Estimating Software

[Pokey]

A year ago the company i work for added a digitizer with roctec presto software to our estimating department. Since then our estimating department has grown and we are looking to implement and estimating program rather than continue using excel spreadsheets for everything we bid. We like the idea of having a database to pull all of our costs from and the convenince and accuracy of a digitizer. We are a large residential subcontractor who can bid anywhere from 2-20 plans per week. I have looked at timberline, but honestly the price is pretty heafty! Does anyone have any suggestions that may fit our application.

[Rich]

I've been using EasyEst - which is essentially a glorified spreadsheet with the ability to modify bids on the fly without disrupting the database. The database can be setup with production rates, material, equipment, allowance, etc. They do have a setup database for the line of work you are in - but I opted to create my own. The full package is pretty expensive but the base package is only $80 or so - just to get your feet wet.
I added quite a few modules for the production and crew and am still under 300 for the system. It's one of the more flexible systems I've ever seen.
www.easyest.com (http://www.easyest.com)
Let me know if you have any specific questions - would be more than happy to answer whatever I can.

[DanS]

Well you usually get what you pay for. If you want a cheap estimating software, you will get a cheap estimating software. You also have to think about customer support. If you get the cheap software, usually the customer support is terrible. How about if you want a new feature added? Cheap software makers will not bother to go out of their way to include your input. So there are more to software than just price. I found the really good software at www.sharpesoft.com but it is not cheap. Its up to you but remember, this is for your estimates and that is where you make your money.

[rama]

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[rama]

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