[jwholden]

I currently use QB Contractor Edition for my bookkeeping and estimating. However, I notice a flaw with the program.

If I want to create an estimate in Quickbooks I can't create the estimate based on cost and then add a markup percent to my costs. The material and labor costs are set in 'stone' as items in quickbooks. I know I can change the markup on each item as I create the estimate, but that seems like a PITA if I want to change the markup for every item on the estimate.

I am using a demo of Quick Estimator, and I like the program, but I'm not sure how well the link is going to work to transfer my estimate from Quick Estimator to Quickbooks. I tried it and am having no luck transferring my cost book to Quick Books.

So, the question,

How do you enter estimates into Quickbooks if you create them in another program or the back of a napkin? I would like to track estimated materials to materials used for job costing.

[Paverman]

You don't need to use the item list price when you create you estimate in QB so if you are entering an estimate into QB from another program or from the back of napkin just put in the price you want. For example, I have Holland Stone Pavers set up in my QB item list at $2.31 per square foot and I did an estimate for someone and I charged then 4.31 per sq foot I would just enter that amount in my qb estimates.

You can enter a markup for your estimate. I simply created an item in QB and called it markup and set the item price to 0. then I can add whatever markup I want to the whole estimate & I can make that field non-printing so it doesn't show up on my QB estimate form.

[nebbe]

jwholden,
Last year I made the switch to QE. What I have done is set up material costs, labor, subs, equipment and GC as items in QB's.
All of my materials and labor are then sub catogerized in what we do. (ex Waterfeatures, hardscaping, softscaping etc.) My cost of goods sold a set up in a similar manner so that when I look at my income statement I can see very clearly what was made and what the cost associated will the work done are. I also seperated all of the cost for equipment out so that I have a catagory for equipment income and a catorgy of equipment expenses to quickly check that I am recovering my equipment costs.

I actually track the estimate in QE using their job costing part of the program. At the end of every job the data in input and a report is generated the is then put with the original estimate and any change orders and then with the final invoice produced in QB's.

[Bill Schwab]

John:

Our field estimates are done on legal ruled paper, with every item pertaining to that particular job (every one of them is so unique you can't comp one to any other) I then use QB estimates program, log in each item necessary to assemble the bid, and all associated costs for those items. We have set costs for things like cutting, typically done and easily calculated by ln. ft. and one of the variables adding more costs to a job. Hard medium and easy access is added by the time it will take to load/reload materials heading back to the job.

Excavation, base, screeding sand, pouring and finishing concrete, all those things can be calculated by square footages, after I see the access and what it will take. Trucking is figured by the hour, and by the load, and a large consideration for us.

So, all that stuff is added to the mix and we produce a multiple page document from QB that is either E-mailed, or faxed.

Why do I line item each part of the project? So clients see exactly what it takes to do the job the right way, and the costs associated with the project. This has actually been a tremdous sales tool for us because along with surf board syndrome, many contractors on the coast are famous for presenting a one paragraph proposal, and a line item for alot of money to do work.

When that person becomes our customer, by hitting that button on top to covert the estimate to an invoice, we then have our system of billing transferred over to QB. As we work the job and make deposits, the numbers adjust accordingly without having to linkback and double enter things like when you use an estimating program along with QB.

I just got the 2006 QB info, and they have an estimating program module you can add to any QB Pro addition, so, I'm interested in seeing how that hooks up. In 2007 or 8 i understand they will actually have some form of scheduling module that with one stroke, everything hooks up so no double and triple entering.

Anyhow, Merry Christmas, and I hope that helped.

[johnkeegan]

I posted to the wrong thread..