Top 10 essential estimating software features for builders’ merchants

There are certain estimating software features that are top of the list for builders’ merchants in the UK. See which have made it into the top 10. There are others of course, but these are the ones that are typically required by builders’ merchants who want to offer an estimating service to price up and take-off the building plans of their clients.

1. Easy to use tools and functions. Busy estimators or branch staff don’t have time for a long learning curve. They need the software to be straightforward, with useful prompts and tips throughout the process.

2. Various estimating options depending on the job - and the user style. Estimators have preferences when it comes to the estimating process. There are those estimators who like to estimate from scratch using the estimating calculators provided, logically working through the job from the ground up. Other users like to make use of the pre-loaded quote templates to fast track estimating. Other operators like to trace existing plans in a compatible software programme and simply import the data for an instant estimate. Estimating software that combines all of this in the Take-off and Estimate Kit (which includes EstimatorXpress) is a rarity.

3. Time-saving tools. A great package includes a hell of a lot of automation. It will save you lots of time. For example, with EstimatorXpress it’s already completed most of the project estimate before you even start entering dimensional info into the software. That’s the reason users love the pre-loaded quote templates. Simply select the template which mostly closely matches the project and tweak the dimensions for a job swiftly priced up. Each one already has the materials, labour and plant prepopulated in the template - all users need to do is quickly review the spec and swap any client specific requirements. The software does costing up of the project and calculates all the quantities required. That’s a really big time-saver.

4. Accuracy. When you cost up and take-off manually it’s very easy to forget things. You need to be protecting your building customers interests so they trust your service and can run a healthy business off the back of your estimating service offering. This means your estimates need to calculate every last nail and tube of Mastic and tub of nails. It also needs to include allowances for wastage; theft from site; wear and tear; replacement tools.

5. A wide range of estimating calculators. Professional estimators will need a solution that can calculate the cost of renovations, extensions and new builds. Groundworks, footings, foundations, electrics, plumbing, roofing and so on. Software that covers the cost of every aspect of domestic works from the ground up is a must.

6. A large pre-populated library of materials, labour and plant. Better still ones that are available in the UK and meet the UK Building Regulations from a spec perspective. From soakaway drains and floor screed, to wall rendering and lean-to roofs.

7. A business-winning customer quotation. A software programme that automatically produces your client an impressive quote in Microsoft Word without you have to type a thing - is a winner for any builder! Just think, if they’re winning more work through your quotations, they’ll spend more with you. (Better still you can toggle on as much or as little detail as your client wants, with the option to include images). The finishing touch is the facility to add your builder’s logo if they supply it.

8. Fully-Detailed Reports. Clearly as a builders’ merchant you need more than an estimate and a quotation for your customers. To secure your clients material spend we’re talking time based material order schedules fully product-coded with product descriptions, order by and due dates, and the same for plant...

9. Effective profit making tools. Knowing when your customer needs materials is half the battle. So your estimate needs to be plugged into a Gantt chart which informs the materials and plant order schedules. Client’s project delayed? No sweat. Tweak the Gantt chart and the materials and plant schedules cascade the changes so you can get ahead of the curve with your clients requirements.

10. Integrate with your price list, e-commerce or ERP. You probably need your estimates plugged into your products, prices and codes…or you might not, and simply want the materials and plant quantities to export directly into your systems…or both. Talk to us as we can help you fulfil both of these needs.

And then of course there’s technical support. Perhaps this isn’t a software feature, but it’s what out users expect from a professional software company. Builders’ Merchants want to know that included in their software subscription they’ll get over-the-phone support, their emails will be picked up and instant website chat is available to them. They also expect remote intervention with the technical support advisor sharing their screen to trouble-shoot as quickly as possible.

So that’s the top 10! You may be thinking that the likelihood of finding a UK produced estimating software solution that has all these futures will be like finding a needle in a haystack. But you’d be surprised. EstimatorXpress and the Take-off & Estimate Kit from HBXL Building Software do all of this and more. It’s what successful merchants are using to secure more of their clients business. Take a look around the website…and then give us a call to book in your demo or trial.