Browse Forums General Discussion 1 Jul 09, 2012 9:55 pm Is there anybody out there who has any experience with Estimating Software for Construction Management. I am looking into what might be the best package, and was wondering if anybody can recommend one to me. And maybe highlight the pros and cons of the package. I am a builder who does renovations and extensions and therefore the software package should suit that sort of scale. Re: Estimating Software??? 2Jul 09, 2012 10:38 pm I have been using Buildsoft for over 20 years and find perfect for my needs, There are several products from entry level all the way up to professional quantity surveying, global estimating and digital take off modules. Check it out. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Estimating Software??? 3Jul 10, 2012 6:06 am The only annoyance with Buildsoft is that it's a windows software. I have switched over to mac seven years ago and never looked back. We have nine of them and girls in the office love them. We still have PC's but no one touched them for years. I now run it on my mac using Paralleles, it's OK but just a little nuisance. If it were not for that I need Buildsoft and another drafting program (and a backup PC) I would have tossed out windows PC's years ago. It's a Dinosaur. Buildsoft should move with the times. I would love I pad version. You can try Buildsoft with a student version. Offsider Estimating BUILDING AN INDUSTRY FROM THE GROUND UP Offsider Estimating System (includes Estimating & Scheduling) $1250 Offsider Estimating System with Ordering Module $1550 Additional copies of above Offsider Systems $650 Upgrade to a Network Version $450 Offsider Estimating System with Buildsoft Take-Off System (BTOS) $2700 Offsider PLUS (includes Estimating, Scheduling, BTOS and Ordering) $2950 Additional copies of Offsider Estmating (with BTOS) or Offsider Plus $1550 Calcomp Drawing Board III A3 Digitizer including choice of 2 or 4 or 16 button cursor $1850 Global Estimating - Single User Version - First Copy* $4450 Global Estimating - Single User Version - Extra Copies(each) $1850 Global Estimating - Single User Version - Buildsoft Take-off System(BTOS) - requires Windows 2000 or XP operating system $1450 Global Estimating - Network Version - First Copy* (Server Copy) $5750 Extra User Access (per user) $1850 Subcontractors Comparison System(SCP) - Optional Module - All Copies (each) $1250 Progress Claim/Valuation System(PCA) - Optional Module - Free with any global Estimating System Purchase $FREE Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Estimating Software??? 5Jul 10, 2012 10:31 am I use Floor Plan + 3D it's an old program 20 years +, a Dinosaur really but is easy to use and you don't have to go to school to learn complex program. Google it! It definitely is limited but does the job for me because I am not full time designer. I only do my own jobs that I develop then hire engineer for structural drawings I have designed houses, shops, warehouses,extensions and tilt up factories on it. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Estimating Software??? 6Jul 12, 2012 10:57 am Cool, I've never heard of that before. I was just interested to know what you used because I use autocad and sketchup. I also design and build, although just getting back into it full time after studying architecture pretty much full time for the last six years. Re: Estimating Software??? 7Jul 12, 2012 11:16 am With all the inspections I do and the complex problems I see and including constant research i have not had the time to update my cad skills. Not enough hrs in the day, but it's Ok I don't need it as much any more. At one stage I had auto cad 14 but no time to learn how to use it. Anyway you are way ahead. For all the other members, if you can find v3 of Imsi Floor Plan +3D you will be surprised how easy it is to use and it even allows you to create styles and symbol libraries. Foremost Building Expert in Australia,assisting with building problems/disputes, building stage inspections,pre-contract review advice for peace of mind 200 blogs http://www.buildingexpert.net.au/blog Re: Estimating Software??? 8Jul 13, 2012 4:28 pm Costx is another good estimating software program that could be used and it makes measuring plans much quicker but its not a cheap program either. Would be worth a look though. Re: Estimating Software??? 9Jan 12, 2016 2:50 pm CostMiner (www.costminer.com) has basic take-off and estimating. It can also record actual expenses. It is for small/micro business and costs $25/month. Also, you can run it on Mac because it is a web application. |