EstimatingTV

When you first investigate computer based estimating software, you will find that there are many software vendors selling solutions which range from a few hundred dollars to many thousands of dollars. In fact some estimating software packages can cost upwards of 15-20 thousand dollars and in some cases, as high as $100,000. That is quite a range of price.

Often, estimating software is selected based upon the cost, features, functions, reviews, word of mouth, or other avenues. In many cases, potential customers do not consider how they are doing their estimating processes today, what they would like to improve, how automation can, will, or will not help them, and what an estimating system should do for their business.

In many cases, the construction professional will try and find a way to adapt their business to the way a software package operates, rather then determine the best way to adapt the software to enhance their current way of doing business. In many cases estimating software may not be flexible enough to allow a construction professional to "customize" the software to work in conjunction with the best business practices of the company.

With the state of the economy these days, bids are becoming more competitive than ever before. The number of bids contractors are taking on is increasing as well. With estimating as important as ever to the life of your business, FastEST, Inc., has an exciting program feature that can help make your estimating more efficient, and can improve and streamline your project management as well.

One of the newest features added by FastEST, Inc., is the On-Screen Digitizer, winner of the 2008 Gold Design Dealer Award, given by the weekly HVAC periodical The Air Conditioning, Heating and Refrigeration News. With the On-Screen Digitzer, estimators can takeoff plans directly from their computer screen. Electronic plans can be imported into the program, saving the time and cost of having plans printed.

Because contractors are receiving plans digitally more often these days, normally they then have to send them to the local printer or to their own plotter to be printed before beginning their estimate. But with the On-Screen Digitizer, these files can be imported and used immediately for takeoff, without the sometimes excessive cost of printing out the bid set, and without the time-consuming trips to pick up the drawings from your local printing company. In the end, the company is saving time and money, and helping the environment at the same time.

Use of FastPIPE and FastDUCT’s On-Screen Digitizer can increase the speed and efficiency of your takeoffs. After importing the drawings into the program, you simply set the scale on the drawings, and jump right into your takeoff. As you perform the takeoff, the plan is colored while material and labor is added to your takeoff list simultaneously.