The Truth About Electrical Estimating Software

Electrical estimating software and on-screen takeoff solutions

Electrical estimating software and on-screen takeoff solutions are essential tools that can dramatically enhance your bidding success and profitability. By minimizing mathematical errors, these tools empower you to take on more projects in significantly less time. Once you tailor the software to suit your company’s specific needs, you’ll consistently produce accurate and uniform estimates.

With the right electrical estimating software, you can simply enter a quantity and instantly generate a comprehensive list of predetermined materials—such as for 100 120V receptacles. In contrast, traditional pen-and-paper estimating demands a tedious manual process where you would have to write out:

– 100 Receptacles

– 100 Boxes with Brackets

– 100 Plaster Rings

– 100 Plates

– 100 Boxes

– 100 Blank Plates

– 100 Ground Stingers

– 300 Wire Nuts

– 2000’ of 1/2 EMT

– 200 Couplings

– 200 Straps

– 200 Connectors

– 6000’ of 12 THHN

After compiling this list, you would need to enter the cost and labor hours for each item, followed by further calculations for tax, profit, and overhead to get your final project cost. This example illustrates just one aspect of the traditional estimating method.

In stark contrast, leveraging top-tier electrical estimating software will allow you to complete this entire process in under 10 seconds. This is a clear testament to how computer-based estimating not only saves time but also significantly increases your profitability.

Today, the market offers an abundance of electrical estimating software options. While many are exceptional and can transform your workflow, some may fall short of your expectations. It’s crucial to understand that not all electrical estimating programs are created equal, so taking the time to explore your options is a smart investment in your business’s future.

Let’s delve into the distinct differences between electrical bidding packages.

First, some electrical software essentially functions as shopping carts—users can browse a database and select items to include in their estimates. While these tools can help minimize extension mistakes, they offer limited automation. This might suffice for some situations, but it’s essential to thoroughly understand what you’re investing in.

Moving up in sophistication, we have electrical estimating programs that provide preset values aligned with your quantities. These programs combine some level of automation with the convenience of a shopping cart style. Typically built on an Excel format, they are somewhat rigid, lacking flexibility for changes, such as switching from EMT to MC or adjusting lengths from 10’ to 20’. Moreover, they generally do not produce in-depth reports.

At the highest tier are top-shelf product offerings that deliver an extensive array of features you’d expect when purchasing software. While most estimating software relies on databases of products—with comparable man-hours—the key differentiator lies in user-friendliness and efficiency. Having utilized a broad range of electrical estimating tools over the years, I can assert that achieving similar results across them is possible but requires fine-tuning them to your estimating style.

Older software often employs an Assembly Driven process, which harks back to old-school methodologies. While having a plethora of choices may seem beneficial, it often complicates the estimating process. Imagine wading through 30,000 assemblies to find the one you need—it can take days to sift through and understand what’s available. In contrast, modern Electrical Estimating Software adopts a Specification Driven approach. These products come equipped with default settings tailored to 90% of your needs, allowing you to input quantities and let the software do the rest. The beauty of this system is that everything can be adjusted on the fly, providing you with virtually limitless assembly customization that meets your specific requirements more accurately and saves time.

When considering robust offerings, one critical decision is whether you need On-Screen Takeoff capabilities. This feature enables you to import drawings and conduct counts and measurements directly on your computer—a growing interest among users. However, it’s important to note that many solutions claiming to provide this functionality often partner with other companies to make it happen. Based on my experiences, I recommend steering clear of these options; using two separate software tools can lead to frustrating data transfer issues between the takeoff and the estimating processes.

Be aware of bad electrical estimating programs

I’ve encountered numerous systems that waste time instead of saving it; for instance, some require you to create a Tag in the estimating software, switch to the on-screen takeoff program for a single tag, then return to input the count manually. If you miss a detail during your first pass, you’re forced to re-enter mistakes one by one. Honestly, it’s often more efficient to print the plans and do counts manually than to deal with such inefficiencies. Avoid systems that compel you to work in this tedious manner; there are clearly superior solutions available.

Cost does not equal quality

A critical fact about electrical estimating software is that a higher price does not always guarantee better quality. Often, the most well-known software products are the costliest, primarily due to extensive advertising budgets and substantial sales commissions. Frequently, upper management draws significant salaries, which can further inflate costs.

When overhead expenses become excessive, companies may resort to various pricing strategies. This can include charging per user or license, as well as implementing fees for technical support, annual updates, and other hidden costs that may not be clearly communicated upfront. As a buyer, it’s essential to tread carefully. Consider the implications if your computer crashes or there’s a fire; you might be taken aback to learn that you need to repurchase the software.

Choose a company that genuinely prioritizes the customer’s needs. Conduct thorough research instead of merely following the crowd, and look for a provider with comprehensive knowledge of estimating rather than just a sales pitch.

Here are a few powerful tips to ensure your success:

1. No matter how impressive any software is, do not expect to open it and complete a live estimate on the same day. That mindset leads to failure every single time.

2. Recognize that all software has a learning curve. Dedicate time each week to watch the help files and engage with the software to master its capabilities.

3. Follow the advice given by the company; don’t try to reinvent the wheel unnecessarily.

4. Understand that this process represents a significant lifestyle change, and the skills and knowledge you acquire will tremendously benefit your entire electrical career.

5. Eliminate distractions by turning off your TV and cell phone, and dedicate quiet, uninterrupted time to learning the software. Investing this time will pay off immensely.