I just got an ad in the mail for the 2002 hometech remodeling & renovation cost estimator. Since getting quotes out in a timely fashion seems to be my weak point, I’m tempted to order this. It is $99.00. has anyone used this? is it worth it?
thanks,
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I've used and like their online version a few times. It has a free thirty day trial, if still in effect. It's easy to use and guides you through a list in order built so you are less likely to forget something.
I've used the book and even attended one of their estimating seminars. I found the book to be good and also lacking. It is good because it can get you a decent estimate very quickly -- once you go through the learning curve of understanding their system and then modifying their data base to include the kind of work you do.
Their data base also lacked some features. For example, in our area two types of foundations are used: pier and a perimeter beam or monolithic slabs. Neither were in the book a few years back. So the foundation estimating was useless for me.
I consider HomeTech to be a marketing tool, not a basis for job costing. Their concept is that we all spend a lot of time doing estimates for jobs we don't get. Their estimates tend to be about 5-10% higher than doing a detailed estimate. This isn't a problem unless your strategy is to market mainly on price.
The book is a worthwhile edition to your library and buying one every two or three years is sufficient. The costs don't change that much. If you're really going to get into the HomeTech concept, consider the software version and plan on a learning curve of several months to get comfortable with it (just like any system).
thanks for you guys input. i'll see what their web site has to say.
Greetings all. New to your forum, checking it out for bookmarking. I was wondering, have any of you used or purchased the program from HOMETECH called Office Manager ? It looks like a pretty good system, if it works as stated. I use hometech currently, but I also just us a very detailed spreadsheet that I've developed over the years.
I have been over to the JLC site also, and noticed not much mentioned there. I really would like a process manager, and I think that it could be this program. I have also viewed a program called Details 3.0. The people who make fasttrack scheduling make it. I don't use fastrack, but a buddy of mine does.
Any thoughts and opinions appreciated.