Estimating software!

[flare]

Hey guys, just been quoting for a few jobs and damn it takes so long to figure out all the materials needed then doing all the math! It would be nice to have a good estimating program that doesnt cost an arm and a leg, can anyone recommended a good one?

cheers

 

[chartergas]

hbxl do them but they are bloody expensive!!

i did mine in excel

all i have is a list of materials and the prices from my trade price book which is actually retail price

all i do is write in how many units of each and it hen totals everything up idividual then a grand toytal then adds on the vat

the labour i wriet in each job and work out the hrs and rate and it does the same

its easy once you know how to write formulas in excel!!

 

[estwig]

I got easy price pro, £1,800.00 worth, waste of money for me.

Look at the car on the drive, think of a number, double it, then add a bit!!



You think I'm joking

 

[estwig]

Just to add, for us the actual quote is as much a part of our marketing as the website, it will often run to 10+ pages and is full of features and benefits.

I keep thinking about getting a good copywriter to come up with some cool phrases to throw in the mix.

 

[lockie]

Thats something im finding more and more.Although its time consuming im finding long emails with loads of details are actually getting really good responses to just the price type emails. Ok its on a smaller scale to yours keith but even though im not the cheapest im getting the work.
Go the extra mile on this stuff and the customers love it.

 

[estwig]

Every time Lockie, you gotta remember everything we quote for is completely different, so nothing can be standardised, but it is all sales. The longer the quote the better, we comb bind ours with front and back covers and even put a blank page at the back just to pad it out, 3 line spaces between headings, thick paper, whatever makes it look important, the punter feels special. Tricks I seen solicitors and lawyers playing.

 

[KM-Tiger]

I keep thinking about getting a good copywriter to come up with some cool phrases to throw in the mix.

Never thought of doing that, but you are right the quote needs to be good and professional, which is both the presentation and the content. A copywriter could help get it dead right.

Lockie: If you are doing a lot in emails, there is an extension for Thunderbird called Quicktext which lets you store a lot of stock text and paste it in with one click from a menu.

If you don't use Thunderbird forget I spoke!

 

[flare]

thanks for the suggestions guys, loving the advice estwig yeah

 

[G. Lasagne]

what do you do flare?

 

[stugster]

Keith, can I get a quote?

 

[estwig]

For you Stuart, we can do a 'special' quote!

 

[please help]

lol, make sure that you write it in crayon so he can understand it,

 

[KreativeJuice]

I keep thinking about getting a good copywriter to come up with some cool phrases to throw in the mix.

Stop thinking about it and do it then. It will cost you peanuts and possibly increase your take up, what have you got to lose?

 

[estwig]

Your absolutely right I should do it, stop talking a good job and get on with it.



But it is such an odd thing to ask, quotes should be austere, important, factual documents, full of technical bullsh*t. The idea a quote can contain features and benefits (or whatever the marketing people call them) is perhaps a strange concept, to get across to a copywriter/marketer.

 

[mattley23]

Ive looked at HBXL too but the cost is crazily high. Ive done the same as soneone else here and spent a day setting up my own spreadsheet quotation estimater by inputting my trade and RRP prices.

I simply highlight what i need and it works out the price for me. I suppose what it doesnt do is calculate material quantities for you but to be honest thats easy to work out anyway

 

[KreativeJuice]

Your absolutely right I should do it, stop talking a good job and get on with it.



But it is such an odd thing to ask, quotes should be austere, important, factual documents, full of technical bullsh*t. The idea a quote can contain features and benefits (or whatever the marketing people call them) is perhaps a strange concept, to get across to a copywriter/marketer.

Any contact with your potential clients should be viewed as an opportunity to market your company, and especially since you are talking about quotes. This is a prime time to gently nudge your clients into accepting your prices, after all a quote is essentially a sales pitch. If you have some persuasive copy to backup your offerings whilst your competitors don't then who is going to come out better?

 

[estwig]

Yes Mum, Sorry Mum!!

 

[KreativeJuice]

Do as your told young man.

ps if you need a contact for copy then let me know.

 

[mattley23]

Every time Lockie, you gotta remember everything we quote for is completely different, so nothing can be standardised, but it is all sales. The longer the quote the better, we comb bind ours with front and back covers and even put a blank page at the back just to pad it out, 3 line spaces between headings, thick paper, whatever makes it look important, the punter feels special. Tricks I seen solicitors and lawyers playing.

I like your style estwig. Could you expand a little as to what else you include within your estimates. Im thinking of walking this path too and padding out my quotes but wondered what people will find relevant.

At the moment i have a cover letter, the actual quote itself and some marketing literature (mainly a flyer)

 

[flare]

what do you do flare?

we are carpenters and joiners, just started out small doing general joinery jobs like kitchens , hardwood flooring etc... now we are getting the opportunity to price extensions and garage conversions, so moving in the right direction i suppose! extensions are the biggie tho and it damn stresses me out pricing for them!

 

[shaunb]

Hi everyone, i am going to be starting the software side of my business in the coming year, and i have been looking for ideas for different software to build as an 'off the shelf' solution, software that there arent to many of, and this seems perfect.

I dont use any software like this, and i dont know much about it, wondering if anyone could let me know exactly what they would expect from a piece of software like this?

if anyone has suggestions, just PM me or reply to this thread.

Cheers

Shaun

 

[tandeh]

Hi everyone, i am going to be starting the software side of my business in the coming year, and i have been looking for ideas for different software to build as an 'off the shelf' solution, software that there arent to many of, and this seems perfect.

I dont use any software like this, and i dont know much about it, wondering if anyone could let me know exactly what they would expect from a piece of software like this?

if anyone has suggestions, just PM me or reply to this thread.

Cheers

Shaun

basically something like HBXL or easyprice pro, easier to use and updateable by builder merchant pricelists (you could make deals).

last of all a free trial that lets you quote for the job, and once customer's know it works, a reasonable rrp, not mad crap like HBXL etc.

any more tips or help with software contact me, will try best to help you, i'm a builder BTW.

 

[flare]

Yeah i ended up going for hbxl.... estimator express and its the biggest pile of w*nk ive ever used, now after using software i prefer to do it by pen and paper.........

 

[mattley23]

Yeah i ended up going for hbxl.... estimator express and its the biggest pile of w*nk ive ever used, now after using software i prefer to do it by pen and paper.........

Whats wrong with it Flare? Its meant to be really good???

 

[flare]

Yeah its oki... but i find its geared up for the english trade......

It always assumes walls will be plastered and its a right pain getting it setup for plasterboarded walls. Up here everything is Single leaf block... 50mm cavity then the timber kit... all internal walls are timber 3x 2 and plasterboarded and Ames Taped and Filled.

This program just didnt really accomodate this type of build. i was forever makign my own profiles and just didnt have the confidence in the program.. their estimated time frames for job completion are really tight and no allowances are really made for poor weather etc...

I mean some people do enjoy using it for me i prefer to go through the drawings step by step with pen and paper and a price list from me local supplier. Gives me a great idea of the whole job too and what i will be up against.

 

[mattley23]

Yeah see your point, ive actually just bought estimator xpress and really like it. Still have to get all my own labour fees and pricings sorted out properly but from the initial play around its priced jobs pretty bang on.

Ive met others who haent got on with it too so i guess its each to their own.

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Flare, I put something together for a job I was doing. It worked really well. Youa re free to have a copy if you want, it is exel based and really easy to use and adjust prices as well.

drop me a pm if you want a copy, I will email it to you.

 

[Tw Installations]

Every time Lockie, you gotta remember everything we quote for is completely different, so nothing can be standardised, but it is all sales. The longer the quote the better, we comb bind ours with front and back covers and even put a blank page at the back just to pad it out, 3 line spaces between headings, thick paper, whatever makes it look important, the punter feels special. Tricks I seen solicitors and lawyers playing.

fantastic advice, never thought of this although i have seen it put it to use by solicitors and estate agents, thanks

 

[flare]

Flare, I put something together for a job I was doing. It worked really well. Youa re free to have a copy if you want, it is exel based and really easy to use and adjust prices as well.

drop me a pm if you want a copy, I will email it to you.

Thanks for the offer!!!!! i wish you posted a month or so ago! i actually went out and bought the program £650 quid down the pan

 

[OldWelshGuy]

Sorry Flare, I didn't notice this was a revived thread

 

[estwig]

Thanks for the offer!!!!! i wish you posted a month or so ago! i actually went out and bought the program £650 quid down the pan

Don't beat yourself up mate, 2 years ago I wasted £1,800.00 on easy-price-pro, bought the all signing all dancing version. Used it a couple of times and got really fed up with it.

The key thing is, yes learn from your mistakes, but don't ever for one minute let mistakes like this, make you stop trying new things and taking risks.

It's all a game mate, learn the rules and play it well.

 

[flare]

For sure! i thought i was onto a winner with it and ended up being dissapointed! but then again i had to try it otherwise id still be wondering if it would have been good or not.

Tried it, got it out of the system, now onto the next thing!

 

[JakeVetro]

Hi
We build costing tools for a lot of trades (lighting companies etc.). We use Excel (so our systems are adaptable yet robust), but apply user friendly forms for data inputting and visually attractive outputs for submission to clients. We would be happy to produce rough prototype for anyone under no obligation. Company is Vetro Consulting 07815 933517

Thanks

Jake