Replies

1. 
   JerraldHayes | Nov 11, 2002 04:14am | #1

   Hawkeye I would need a little bit more information before I could even begin

   to start recommending an estimating solution for you.

   • What kind of contractor are you? Specialty? GC? Handyman? Builder? Remodeler?

     etc.? There is no one solution fits all as far as estimating is concerned

     in my opinion. The database I use has 337 line items devoted to just stairs

     & railing items. Unless you are doing stairs and railing as a specialty

     that kind of detail is meaningless and would swamp you with things to account

     for if you are trying to estimate as a GC.

   • How are you estimating your projects right now? A little bit of background

     about how much you know about estimating might help too.

   • What does the word inexpensive mean to you? $40 or $400
   • Is estimating all you care about right now or will you want to perform JOB

     Cost functions later on?

   • What about integrating with your accounting program? Do you need that too

     or will you enter data manually when you need to.

   • Do you already have a database of costs to use or would you need them as

     part of a spreadsheet if that the way you choose to go

   • Which brings up maybe one final question for right now. How much do you

     know about using Excel?

   I have a FileMaker based database solution that I use that I will at times

   distribute as shrunken version to subcontractors I work with for them to use.

   You can try out if you like. I'm in the midst of revising it as we speak but

   I might have that revised version available by the middle of this coming week

   if your interested.

   ---

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   “Systemize the Routine; Humanize the Exception”-

   from Customer Culture: How FedEx and Other Great

   Companies Put the Customer First Every Day

   by Michael D. Basch

1. 
   finehomes07 | Nov 11, 2002 05:28am | #2

   I am a residential custom homebuilder in the 200-400 thousand range yes i would like to try. thanks so much

2. 
   finehomes07 | Nov 27, 2002 08:44am | #3

   I appreciate u taking the time to respond . I would very much like that spreadsheet if you can send it>