Pricing/Estimating Software

[Jill Marie Welsh]

I use the sign contractor’s pricing guide that I mentioned.
The big desk model so it’s not as easily lost as the pocket version.
I also compare notes with fellow Letterheads.
Sign prices in the USA vary widely from region to region.
I also try to keep abreast of what my competitors charge by befriending them.
When our prices are all within the same ballpark, we all benefit.
SignCraft also published a price guide which they sent out free about 2 months ago.
I’ve noticed that if I have this “official” looking book (price guide)
that customers tend to take me more seriously.
It doesn’t look as if I’m pulling prices out of the sky.
Also, the guide is much higher usually than the prices in my area.
When the client sees me looking something up, and the list price,
they think they are getting a deal if I’m $20 cheaper.
Lots of people really love EstiMate, but I can’t afford it.
Yet.
Love….Jill

[Ian Higgins]

Hi,
I use Estimate… a good thing once you get the hang of it

Cheers
Ian

[Paul Cox]

Just downloaded a demo of Estimate, had a play for a bit but it’s definatley not for me. I understand that it takes time but sometimes you just know dont you.

May just persevere with my Excel spreadsheet!

😥

[RobGF]

Has anybody looked at SMS8? We have it here and it seems pretty nice and works well for out thought processes. Pretty expensive compared with Estimate, however.

[Dave Bruce]

I use Clarity, brilliant, very easy to use and integrates with Sage.

Try search on Touch Systems they sell it, and you can get a cd for tial.

Dave

[Peter Normington]

Pricing/estimating software is fine if you have a jobsworths working for you.
Personally I make up a price and double it!
But seriously software has to have all the variables entered and at the end of the day a calculater is all that you should need if you are a small firm. I know all the prices from my suppliers because I PAY THE BILLS.
A feel for the job is also essential, this only comes from experience, and not from software. Sometimes people fall into the trap that software will save money, trust me its not always the case.
Peter

[Simon Forrester]

This subject is something i’ve been looking into for the last few weeks, we have got out own web broswer based quoting/job tracking software. My reason for looking was to see if i could find a more consistant quoting system with better job tracking. I’ve looked at Estimate and Cyrious, both appear to be very good packages, both have some form of job tracking which i consider to be vital.

But neither package seems to be ideal, you are bound by there way of working and the information you get out is only as good as the information you put in….and when you know your cost using your own spreadsheet or database/web server in my case give just as good results.

Simon