Why Use Estimating Software?
01/05/2008 15:30:00
Article appeared in Master Builder, May 2008
There are numerous benefits to using HBXL’s estimating software.
- Firstly, once the user becomes familiar with the software being used,
estimating jobs via a computer becomes a lot quicker and a lot more
accurate than manual methods.
- Secondly, as all calculations are carried out automatically by the
software, the user is free to just concentrate on making sure the
dimensions are inputted correctly. Any last minute adjustments
resulting from a change in specification are also easily handled as the
estimating software recalculates the costs instantly. Not only does it speed up the process
of producing estimates and quotes, it also allows you to provide a
detailed schedule of where a customer’s money is being spent. Being
able to reassure a customer where the money is going builds trust and
helps secure the business.
- In addition, producing professionally laid out documentation, quotes
and build programs creates an impression of a business that knows what
it’s doing not only for potential customers but also bank managers and
suppliers.
Although no software can guarantee that users will win the new business, users of HBXL’s EstimatorXpress software
have said they are only having to produce three quotes for every new
contract they win. This is in comparison to seven before they used the
software.
In addition they are on average spending less than an hour per quote
meaning more time on site or doing the things the majority of users
like doing in their leisure time.
ESTIMATORXPRESS
Since its original launch, EstimatorXpress
has revolutionized the way builders produce quotes and estimates and is
now the leading estimating software on the market with nearly 5000
users pricing up extensions, new build, conversion and renovation work.
Widely
regarded as being the fastest, most accurate and easy to use estimating
software ever to be released in the UK, it now helps more builders
across the country than any other product. The beauty of
EstimatorXpress is down to the way users input the details of the job
they are quoting for.
By entering dimensions into easy to understand building drawings it
makes estimating really straight forward. Once all the dimensions are
in, EstimatorXpress
does the rest! A full breakdown of the quote can then be produced in
seconds, enabling you to present your quote in a professional and easy
to understand manner.
The main advantage of the software is that it reduces the time spent
estimating, allowing for more time on site. Figures show that before
using EstimatorXpress,
builders would on average spend 4.5 hours estimating a job. After using
EstimatorXpress this reduced to an average of 1.6 hours with 80% taking
less than an hour! Users of EstimatorXpress also have a massive edge
due to the quality of their quotes and professional build program.
Joanna Mulgrew, Marketing Director at HBXL comments: ‘It’s all very
well thinking you’ll survive just because you always have done. But in
today’s increasingly competitive market, standing out from the crowd is
imperative for future success.”
The stark reality according to Joanna is that builders who are not using packages like EstimatorXpress
will find it increasingly difficult to compete with those that do. In
addition, HBXL has developed a unique ‘Price Tracker’ feature which
links the software live to the latest trade prices on core building
material products as well as links to Jewson the builder’s merchant and
Graham the plumber’s merchant. This means users can be assured of
always estimating with realistic prices with no need to create their
own list of materials and their prices. And by importing plans from
PlansXpress into EstimatorXpress (through X-connex™
data sharing technology), will allow users to automatically price the
building drawings directly from original plans in seconds.
To help builders keep a firm track on their accounts,
EstimatorXpress also includes a ‘Variations’ tool to handle amendments
to a quote from the original costings. Plus, to see the difference
between the estimated and actual costs, an Accounts Export tool enables
a simple transfer of the estimated costs into accounting software such
as Quick Books and Construction Industry Accounts (CIA).
EstimatorXpress also comes with more than 50 reports, printouts and
charts to help you project manage every aspect of the job through to
completion. There are Gantt charts and automatic material and labour
schedules, profit forecasts and cashflow graphs to tell you when labour
and materials should be on site, when to order, how much to order, how
much it’s going to cost and helps organise subcontractors!
Joanna concludes: “Builders who work into the night or on weekends
producing quotes are not utilising their time very well. Who wants to
work long hours which impacts on your social and family life when
there’s an alternative, easier and quicker way to do just the same
thing ”
Click here for further information about EstimatorXpress.
Master Builder, May 2008
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