Electrical Estimating Software Cost

• the scope of work (plan & spec review) • understanding labor units • estimate and bid notes • the take-off • determining bill-of-material • pricing and laboring, and adjustments • break-even and making profit The DVD program gives you the added advantage of seeing and hearing Mike, and his team of estimating experts, explain and debate the steps and important details of the estimate process.. THINGS TO CONSIDER BEFORE PURCHASING ANY ESTIMATING SOFTWARE How well do you know Electrical Estimating? To test your knowledge with our free 25 question quiz.

Before purchasing estimating software, you should familiarize yourself with Mike Holt's Illustrated Guide to Electrical Estimating. Mike explains how to determine your costs (time, labor, materials, etc) so you can do the job correctly and profitably, and even know when it's wise to not bid on a job. What you will. Keep your material prices current in Electrical Bid Manager or other estimating software. Includes over 2 million items updated daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly. Use EPIC’s Target Prices to compare to supplier price quotes.

Myths and Truths • Myth: Computerized estimates are more accurate than those done the old, by hand method. Truth: Any estimate, done by hand or with the use of a computer, is only as good as the estimator who makes and reviews it. Computer assisted estimates are not necessarily more complete or more accurate than a 'by hand' estimate.

Both types of estimates are deeply affected by a simple formula: Quality in = Quality out. It doesn't matter how good the software is, or how large the database. If the material items in the database are not priced; or if the labor items are incorrectly labored (or worse - they have no labor values at all); or if you simply fail to make correct entries; or use the wrong database - your estimates can carry the potential to be highly flawed. A highly flawed estimate is either too low or too high.

Either way the company loses. It is the estimator's primary job to know if the estimate is right.

Myth: Computerized estimates take less time than those done the old, by hand way. Truth: This is a slight myth. Toy Defense Keygen Crack. Most computer assisted estimates can be completed in less time, but they can often take longer. Again, it depends on the estimator. What his 'take-off and entry style' is or what the company's take-off policies are. There are many variables when using computers. These variables give you the choice of how fast or slow you want to be and when.

A standard estimate has 2 primary stages - take-off and extension. During the take-off stage, using software can often be a slower process than the older, simpler method of counting symbols and writing the totals down on a paper spreadsheet. The interface with software requires additional time and effort to find or build the right items or assemblies in the database. The proper breakout location must be assigned and set prior to entry. Plaxis 3d 2012 Crack. A 'count entry' function is required.

This requires typing in and/or clicking a button for the correct value entry. This is a lot of work compared to hand writing a symbol or note and then placing a figure underneath it. Where the speed differential occurs is primarily after the take-off stage is done and all the entry is complete. This is the time of extension. It is in this single function that the computer absolutely, without mercy defeats the old 'by hand' method.

The old method requires a very detailed write-up and expansion of the counted items. A light fixture, for example, may have 7-10 individual components which need to be written down, along with their associated material prices and labor units. Then these values need to be calculated against the quantities and sub-totals need to be entered for each. After all this, final totals need to be summed up.

This takes a great deal of time, effort, accuracy and hand strength. After all this, it is likely that someone else will need to double-check the extensions for accuracy. Imagine the time required to complete this process on a bid that has 3 or more Bid Form items. Worse, imagine what has to be done if something changes or you find a mistake - after you create these final extensions. With computer estimating software, the extension phase becomes a simple selection of take-off entries and the desired report format.