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02-15-2003, 09:06 PM
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Seedling
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Join Date: Feb 2003
USDA
Posts: 140
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Estimating Program
As one topic always seems to run into other interesting topics I thought I would start one on this...
Paul you mentioned that programs do have failures …I.m sure we will find a few bugs in it.
This program will be able to factor in site conditions … basically on each task there will be a slow, medium and fast production rate. If you take pavers as an example … there is a pull down list with 3 production rates...travel is also there. The programmers are just putting the finishing touches on it and we are inputting the information needed. We took an existing very good program and had them make it suit our needs with even more detail. I’ll give you more details on it as I get a chance to look it over and work with it.
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02-16-2003, 12:27 AM
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Ranger
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Chicago
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 1,557
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Here are a few things that I have found.... The best packages are tied into accounting programs. We use two types of programs, one is for take offs and estimating man hrs. the other is tied to our accounting, the latter also allows us to do quanity takeoffs plus gives us pricing for that type of work based on passed history. Pluses to the Take off programs, the estimator has greater control of prices, the accounting package type automactly adjust prices on the fly. Minuses estimators can and do make mistakes...... with accounting type packages a bad week can increase prices that might make your bid too high, a bad week can throw off your pricing structure.
Other thing that can go wrong.....
Even using three production rates, things go well the first day but the second day you get rained out at noon, so your budget is shot....... Plant material..... they had it when you bid the job but now they are sold out and you need 12 matching 4" trees, the only place that has them are 2 hrs farther away and twice the cost.
So there is more to this than what I have written here but this should give you an idea of what can happen.
Estimating packages run from $800 to $20,000, hardware to support them can be from $1000 to $16,000.
Please understand all the work that I do is commerical work.
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04-30-2003, 07:44 PM
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Ranger
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Chicago
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 1,557
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What format do you use for your estmating? How do you figure your numbers? Excel spread sheet? Word? Or special program? I have a spread sheet that I've been using for a while and I wonder how it compares to yours? It's not what my customers see but what We use to check what we are bidding.
I need Jeff to allow .xls files to upload so I can share it with you.
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04-30-2003, 07:47 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Wisconsin
USDA Zone 4
Posts: 7,518
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Done.
I'm going to check to see if there are any security issues in doing that - if there are, I may have to close it back down after this file is posted.
Jeff
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04-30-2003, 07:57 PM
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Ranger
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Chicago
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 1,557
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Ok here it is
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04-30-2003, 09:21 PM
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Seedling
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Join Date: Feb 2003
USDA
Posts: 140
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Paul ..we have a special program ... thanks for posting your spread sheet ...it will make for some interesting reading when I have time.
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04-30-2003, 10:36 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Wisconsin
USDA Zone 4
Posts: 7,518
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Looks like there are no security issues for the site, but for those who download any XLS or DOC files, be sure to run them through your antivirus software.
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05-01-2003, 09:49 PM
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Ranger
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Northern VA
USDA Zone 7
Posts: 1,224
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Thanks for the download, Paul. Good info. I'll try to compare it to ProEst.
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06-01-2003, 02:15 PM
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Acorn
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Join Date: Jun 2003
USDA
Posts: 3
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We use gopher software. I used to do all this stuff by hand and now everything runs alot smoother. I think you can download a 30day trial from their website www.gophersoftware.com
good luck! |
06-01-2003, 06:03 PM
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Ranger
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Join Date: Feb 2003
USDA Zone 4
Posts: 1,008
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Gopher has really caught my attention. Will be looking at it seriously in addition to some others which are much higher priced.
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06-01-2003, 06:16 PM
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Administrator
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Join Date: Jan 2003
Location: Wisconsin
USDA Zone 4
Posts: 7,518
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It looks like it'd be great software where the project would be repetitive in nature, but I'm not sure how it'd do as an estimating package. I wish I could recall the name of the software my bro-in-law uses - It had costs broken out into the brand/model of the equipment being used. Lots of detail for materials info, too. Seemed like a great, but expensive program.
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06-01-2003, 06:40 PM
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Ranger
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Northern VA
USDA Zone 7
Posts: 1,224
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Seems like we may be talking about different type of programs now. A program for doing landscape bids with digital take-offs of large plans vs. a more service oriented program??
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06-03-2003, 06:54 PM
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Acorn
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Join Date: Jun 2003
USDA
Posts: 3
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When I do my estimates for projects, I dont really have designs I need to have drawn out. I really just need to say that I am going to be using the following materials and it will take a certain amount of man hours etc. Gopher2003 allows me to create my estimates that I can present my clients and it looks professional. Then if they go with the estimate I click on the convert to invoice button and I dont have to repeat all the data entry. I am sure there are alot of cad design programs out there but for my company, where I am right now at least I dont need all that.
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06-03-2003, 09:36 PM
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Ranger
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Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Chicago
USDA Zone 5
Posts: 1,557
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The difference is when I work on a bid I don't have to figure out my time the program does it for me, it draws off of a data base that has my material costs figured in along with labor hrs, equipment hrs. So as I measure out the area for a paver walk way, it adds in the waste along with excavation, gravel, sand, pavers, edging, nails, and man hrs for each job. It's not meant to be a proposal but a working tool that you can refine depending on site conditions, profit, or how little or much equipment can be used on the job.
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12-04-2007, 09:44 AM
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Gold Oak Member
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Join Date: Nov 2007
USDA
Posts: 29
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Paul
What estimating software are you using?? It seems as though I need it for the same kind of work.
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chrissy zone 3-4 Landscape Designer
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