Engineers and contractors often have several bids to compare from different contractors. The amount of time spent comparing bids is time wasted. As a contractor, the more accurate you can be on estimating the work you need done, the better chance you have of winning the bid. Estimating software is designed to give your company an edge by improving efficiency and accuracy in bidding estimates. An electrician estimating system gives you a better chance to win the bid. The savings generated from better efficiency can be re-invested into your company, which should increase your business. The cost of hiring a full time estimator can be thousands of dollars per year, which means if you win just one more bid per year due to the use of estimating software, then the money you spend on purchasing the software will be paid back in less than six months.
What is Electrician Estimating Software?
Electrician estimating software is a tool that gives digital estimates of the amount of labor and materials needed to complete a job. The estimate is created based on the time, material and labor required to perform the work.
The software may have the ability to track past estimates so that if you have an unusually large project, you will know what you did wrong in previous estimates. The software will also compare any new bids it receives to previous estimates so that if your bids get significantly higher or lower than other bids, then there are clearly some problems with your estimating system or procedures.
Different Electrician Estimating Software Systems
There are many different types of electrician estimating systems available for contractors. However, these are the two most common systems:
1) GUI (Graphical User Interface) Based Estimating Software – GUI based estimating software is full of text and generally easier to use. Some of the more advanced GUI based electrician estimating software systems have a “drag and drop” graphical interface that allows you to literally drag your work onto a time chart or materials list. This is an easy to use system that anyone can learn in minutes.
2) Form Based Estimating Software – Form based estimating software requires less training time because it relies on answers to questions. While these systems require some installation, they do not require much upkeep or updating, so most people find them easier to use when bidding out multiple jobs at a time.
3) Cloud Based Electrical Estimating Software- Cloud based software is gaining popularity because it allows the estimator to take their estimating database with them. For example, if you have an estimating database created on your phone, you can log into the same database when you get to an internet connection.
Considerations for Choosing a Good Electrician Estimating System
Level of Experience – If you are a novice estimator, then GUI based electrical estimating software may be a better choice because many of the systems have more instruction, and less skill is required to use them. However, if you are an experienced estimator with a lot of experience who bids out jobs frequently using the same methods in your estimates, then you should consider form based software.
Cost – While you may find the costs of form based software is higher than GUI based software, it can actually save you money if you have to use it on many different projects. The cost of using form based software will decrease over time as you start to refer to the same database, and document your estimates.
Proper Rate – Most estimators don’t know what they are doing and some tend to throw out an estimate without a complete project so that they can get one more bid out at a higher rate. Estimating the correct amount of time, material and labor required for a job is very important so that you don’t have your estimate thrown out by another contractor.
Update Frequency – Estimating software that you can update with new data easily is a must. If you wait until the last minute to create an estimate, and then try to update it with new information, you will probably find out that it is much different than the original estimate or bid. You should have a plan for upgrading your estimating system in advance so that if you have a large project coming up in the future, then you can immediately update your system for free.
Conclusion
Construction estimating software is designed to give contractors an advantage by helping them save time and money doing work estimates. The best way to use this software is by using it often enough so that you can start referring to it as a habit. You should use this software enough that your estimate is not thrown out by another contractor. If you are just starting out in estimating, then either try a form based system or the GUI based system of your choice. However, once you have used one type of electrician estimating software system for a year or so, then you should move to the form based system. There are some great options out there for even the most experienced estimators. Start considering electrician’s estimating software today!