Estimating Software question

[jackaustin]

we've been looking at two different programs and wanted to get some feedback from fellow dirt bunnies. Our company has been doing nothing but bid for the last three years, and about out of every 50-60 jobs bid, we will get one. I'm spending 7/8 of my time stuck in front of my screen instead of making money with our toys. The first program we are looking at, and currently leaning towards is Insite Sitework.

Seems like everything we need as we do everything from demo, concrete, asphalt, utilities, excavation, and over-ex pads. The stickler wants 8k bucks for the program user fees, and this gets us three years of program use. Big pill to swallow, but if it gets my ass back in the seat of my hoe ill take it.

The second program is Roctek International, they're asking about the same price but don't seem to be very user-friendly. Being a young buck, I don't believe I have a difficult time with either program, but my old man sure as hell loves his ruler and yellow notepad.

I would also love to hear others' inputs on different programs.

 

[StrucPatholgst]

IMHO it's all about the take-off, and all about your client. If you can do a good take off on a yellow pad, then trust that and price it up. With that said, a good estimator digitizing soil volumes off of plans will get more quotes out the door with software, and the software will give a more granular look at the work, in my experience. Also some clients want the take off documentation, to make sure the bidders are all looking at the job the same way. Sometimes that means filling out the client's quantity take-off tables, sometimes it means you impressing them with a good looking output file proving that you know what you're doing. Sometimes you could be quoting your heart out, and the other guys proposal just looks more like they know what they're doing, and what you're producing is scaring folks off. We all go through that, from both ends of the stick, no matter what the trade. But if you do decide to get into it, you should dive head first into it and make it a part of your life. Make it a fighter jet you climb into, not a crutch you think you can shake off after a while.

Have you tried posting this question on ContractorTalk? They might have a better take.