CONSTRUCTION ESTIMATING SOFTWARE BUYERS GUIDE


CONTENTS

I. Intro to Estimating
II. When to Buy 
III. Software Benefits
IV. Starting your Selection Process 
V. Takeoff Software, Cost Databases, and Worksheets
VI. Vendor Selection
VII. Implementation

Vendor selection: What should I ask vendors about their construction estimating programs?


Enterprise-level construction estimating programs are a long-term investment that, unlike packages purchased at the local computer store, will incur yearly costs. For most construction software vendors, the real meat of a sale is in the recurring revenues reaped from support and training contracts, and salespeople are taught to aggressively pitch these features. Keep that in mind when talking with vendors and viewing product demos.

Phil Arnt of GCM Contracting recommended that you start with the following checklist of questions in your first vendor meetings and work through your requirements from there.

bullet What does your product license cover?
bullet If I purchase hardware from you, what is the warranty period and what does it cover? What does it cost to replace lost, stolen or damaged hardware?
 
bullet What are the minimal and optimal hardware configurations? (Go for the higher end, and you'll be happier in the long run. Just make doing so will not break your budget.)
 
bullet If I cancel my maintenance contract, may I still renew my software license? Also, is support still offered?
bullet What is your policy on sunsetting versions? (Sunsetting refers to the practice of discontinuing support once software has been superseded by a new version -- for example, ending support for v5.0 once version 6.0 has been released.) )
 
bullet How will I be notified of and/or receive upgrades, and what will that cost? How often per year can I expect upgrades?
 
bullet What hours do you offer customer support in my time zone? Do you guarantee response within a certain time?
bullet What is the yearly fee for support?
bullet What types of training do you offer? Where is your nearest training facility?
bullet Will a network administrator be required on-site during installation?
bullet Do you have references from similar customers and readily available contact information?
bullet Can you provide a list of known incompatibilities with other software vendors' applications?
bullet Can you leave a fully functional demonstration copy with me to try?
bullet Do you have a full list of current and future planned features of the software?
bullet Can I support my contact lists from Outlook or other programs?
bullet What is your policy for supporting new versions of third-party software, such as Crystal Reports?

In getting answers to these questions, don't rely on verbal promises that the software will work, Arnt said. Get every promise in writing, with a signature from the company representative -- and, if the sales representative refuses, move on to the next company.

It is also worth noting that, if your company has never used construction estimating programs before, nearby support may be a key consideration as well. Dion Langness of Software Consultants in Lake Elmo, Minn., reviewed multiple products when buying estimating software, and finally settled on Sage Estimating. "Most are similar," he said, but the deciding factor was the availability of "local help that ensured my chances of using it would be higher."

*** To learn about how to implement your construction estimating program once you have purchased it, look to the final segment of our construction estimating buyers guide.

Next: Implementation