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CLEAR ESTIMATES USER REVIEW: KIRKPATRICK'S CONSTRUCTION

Even small contractors can reap the benefits of online construction estimating tools. Jason Kirkpatrick, owner of Kirkpatrick's Construction in Centreville, Va, began using Clear Estimates for his boutique remodeling business last year and found that the estimating software saved him considerable time and money.

Before Clear Estimates, Kirkpatrick went through an elaborate process to get the final construction estimate to the customer. He would write the estimate up, calculate the pricing and send the estimate to the office manager, who would then send it to the bookkeeper to create the estimate in QuickBooks software.

Now, with Clear Estimates, Fitzpatrick is able to create the estimate and contract at the same time, which can be automatically imported into QuickBooks. This, he said, has eliminated handwritten drafts, proofreading, and mistakes.

"The savings are both financial and in time I get to spend in other desirable areas," he noted. The time savings are approximately two to three hours per estimate, which, over the course of the year, amounts to up to 240 hours and $24,000 in savings.

Another advantage to Clear Estimates is accuracy, Kirkpatrick said: "I am less prone to forget a particular variable when using the software because I follow the phases and simply pick out the parts from each phase. For example, I never used to charge for all the plastic and blue tape used for dust and carpet protection. I simply overlooked it."

Clear Estimates works with the RemodelMAX Unit Cost Estimating Database, which provides basic costs on materials and labor for more than 8,000 parts across the US. Although Kirkpatrick found the database easy to use and helpful, there was still some set-up time involved.

"Any company will need to go through and enter its pricing and its subcontractors pricing, as is true with any estimating software," he said. "While the regional pricing is helpful for materials, every company is structured differently for labor and labor costs. I am changing [information] a lot more because we do a lot of unique high-end projects and work for a lot of attorneys. So I need to be very precise with my contract scope of work and legal provision descriptions to satisfy our clientele."

One drawback, too, is the inability to drag and drop items in the parts database, which Kirkpatrick is used to doing in Microsoft Word. "It does not seem significant until you are changing 200 and more Part and category descriptions," he explained.

Overall, Kirkpatrick rated Clear Estimates' construction estimating software a 9 out of 10.

What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?
 
How long have you been using this tool?
 
Where did you obtain it?
 
How much did you pay?
 
How are you using this product?
 
Why did you pick this product?
 
Was this product compatible with the software programs you were already using?
 
Did you look at other tools on the market before picking this one? What was it you didn't like about them (or made    this product better)?
 
Before you bought this product, were you using a different one to do the same job? If so, what tool were you using?
 
How many people are using this software?
 
Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed?
 
Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
 
Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this    tool?
 
What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
 
Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
 
What would you change about the product if you could?
 
Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
 
 
How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
 
Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
 
Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
 
How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
 
When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
 
Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?

What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?
I remodel kitchens and baths and also build additions.

Aproximately10 months.

Directly from the vendor's website.

How much did you pay?
It is $40 initially, then $59 per month.

How are you using this product?
For all construction estimating.

Why did you pick this product?
It is intuitive, easy to use, comprehensive and an excellent cost value.

Was this product compatible with the software programs you were already using?
Yes, it integrates with QuickBooks software.

Did you look at other tools on the market before picking this one? What was it you didn't like about them (or made this product better)?
I looked at Sage Master Builder. It looks wonderful once it is set up and the staff is trained -- but this process takes 12 to 18 months. So the actual costs, including software would have been closer to $20,000, minimum. Therefore, Master Builder is too expensive for us at this point -- and it takes over your computer in all aspects. Remodel Max, on the other hand, is not intrusive, and the learning curve is quick.

Before you bought this product, were you using a different one to do the same job? If so, what tool were you using?
No.

How many people are using this software?
One, the company's owner and project manager.

Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed?
Our estimates are more accurate and completed in half the time.

Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
Estimating was a long process before. First, I would write it up with pricing. Then the office manager would type it up and send it to the bookkeeper, who would create an estimate in QuickBooks. Now I create the estimate and contract simultaneously and send the estimate to the bookkeeper, who imports it into QuickBooks. No double entry, handwritten drafts, proof reading, etc.

Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this tool?
We have saved approximately $800 per estimate -- more than $1,500 on larger estimates.

What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
Creating an estimate and contract simultaneously. Quick Books integration. Easy to modify to our company.

Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
Yes, it's more than more than a fair value, it's an excellent value.

What would you change about the product if you could?
Allow to highlight and delete when modifying “parts”

Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
I have not had a chance to use the software's construction scheduling features.

How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
Basic knowledge of Microsoft Word is good. Knowledge of Excel helps as well.

Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
I learned in a couple hours of exploring. I never did read the instructions.

Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
I called three or four times in the beginning and received some of the best service and support I have ever experienced.

How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
I have not needed to read it.

When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
Yes.

Overall, on a scale of 1 to 10, how would you rate this tool?
9