5 Factors to Consider When Choosing Your Estimating Software

 

In contemporary society, the construction industry is a primary driving force in terms of investment and infrastructure. Every year billions of dollars are contributed by the end users,  investors, and most importantly, the industry’s key players - small sub-contractors to master developers. Long-term success in the construction industry requires managing your costs and margins. This can be achieved using leading-edge technology such as Rapid Estimator-an estimating software system, earlier marketed under Home Tech Advantage.  

 

Since there are so many estimating systems, you should be careful while choosing the one for you. Here are five important factors to evaluate when reviewing different options of software products available on the market. 

 

Factors to Consider When Choosing Estimating Software 

 

Accuracy

In today’s exceptionally competitive market, accuracy is critical. To ensure the accuracy of your construction project, the software you choose should precisely calculate and manage all prospective costs, from labor, equipment, and materials to subcontractor expenditures. Rapid Estimator helps you to correctly identify and account for the actual cost of a construction project. Comprehensive estimates produced in Rapid Estimator can be sent to QuickBooks for invoicing and tracking.  

 

Flexibility

In the construction industry, efficiency matters. Using a powerful estimating system  enables you to establish tenfold efficiency compared to traditional manual estimating methods. This, in turn, automatically helps you save costs in terms of pure time spent. Your business can focus on

obtaining more projects with competitive bids. 

 

When evaluating software options, an effective database of current costs is essential for preparing estimates. Rapid Estimator incorporates current cost data from two books published by Craftsman Book Company – the National Construction Estimator and the National Repair and Remodeling Estimator. Craftsman Book Company has been a trusted construction cost authority for over sixty years. In addition, Rapid Estimator has a user cost database where users can create their own data or import data from Excel. 

 

Consistency

Estimating software should produce consistent results in each new estimate through its ability to leverage existing estimates. In Rapid Estimator, assemblies are easily created from an estimate and saved for re-use. Estimates can also be set up as templates to create new estimates. In the Craftsman databases and the user database, frequently used items are flagged as favorites for quick access.

 

Integration

The ability of the software to integrate with other applications or systems is essential for seamless workflow management.  In addition to the QuickBooks interface, Rapid Estimator offers flexible Excel exports for sending estimates to construction management and scheduling systems. The Chief Architect Wizard can help you build an estimate by matching material list items to Craftsman cost items.  

 

Customization

To win the bid, your estimate must make a good impression. An easy-to-read, well-organized presentation helps to establish credibility with your prospective client.  With Rapid Estimator’s extensive reporting capability, you can easily customize your estimates, add a cover page, include photos, and attach contracts. If you need help customizing your estimates, friendly, knowledgeable support is a phone call away.

 

Conclusion

Knowing these factors, you can now easily compare the various estimating software products. However, Rapid Estimator (earlier marketed under HomeTech Advantage) is a leading choice among construction companies. Rapid Estimator Software is a powerful, versatile, and innovative product designed for small to medium-sized construction companies to create winning bids. It prepares accurate, detailed, and professional-looking estimates powered by current residential and commercial cost data from Craftsman Book Company.