Sh.6FP,in9' fo'' a com'uterized estimating system

By Debra Baker

wl';ilT;ffi;Ht-,l?il'; building material,,dealers know that they muSt provide,,a,,higher level of servide than their,Competition. One Wa is tb:Offef fasti::accurate materials estimating.

Unforiunately, doing estimates manually is tedious, time consumin$ and,,,in the buildin$: matefials businBss,,::often necessary:. ReCentIy, howevbi, many dealers have found :a wa| ,,to deC,rease, the tediou,sness of-,bstimating *hile imptoning its aCCuiacy.,, The solution? A new computerized estimatmg system.

So what should you look for in an estimating system?

, Ohe,,of the,,most imgotant:things a computerized system should do is reduCb your estimating time: SignifiCantli' This,,allows iales pgople to spend,a l6t mbie time selling, It should also increase yotu accuracy.

Other things to check:

@ Doe. the svstem have the ability to,,adapt to the way:you,do business and allow you to cuStomize take.bffs $ the builder?

O Do", it produce a materials list, which includes related items such as rebar, mesh, drywall, insulation, etc-, so you get,a shot at the whole package?

6 Do"r the system produce estimates in load list order?

6 Cun you customize the sys- tem to meet your speCifications? Are modifications easy to make?

O Ar" reports easily customized?

O Cun you Jonu"rt cut lengths into stocking lengths auiomatically?

6 Do", it give you the ability to do electronic,:take-offs for complex roof rafters and joists?

@ Is training and support provided?

6 Do", the estimating system interface with your, point-of-sale system?

And don't forget t0 get references. If the sysfCm do$s everything a vendor says it does, then you should have no trouble getting good references from users.

Remember, by using a good computerized estimating system, you can make your bililders' jobs easier and more: profitable, which will keep:themcoming back. All of which means more profit on your bottom line.