Sage Software
Product Overview
User Reviews
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For 10 years Dion Langness has used Sage Estimating software for "estimating costs, generating proposals, and scheduling work." Before spending $2,000 for the software, he looked at other products and found that "most are similar," but the deciding factor was the availability of "local help that ensured my chances of using it would be higher."
There were many benefits, most notably in "assessing whether we should self-perform the work, or select subs who provide bids. All the details are at our fingertips to make decisions." This has not only proved valuable in the decision making process, but has cut their estimating time in half, while still allowing for things like "a more detailed estimate analysis or a chance to bid on more work."
Helpful features include the "Excel ease of use with database engine, and many things that reduce duplication, transfer, and organization. Smart assemblies are also a great features as they allow variables to dictate materials, labor & equipment costing in one step."
Sage Estimating "was actually less of an investment than I originally expected. Learning how to use the program is very easy but getting the database to fit our specific company's needs takes time, but the time is well worth the value received."
Langness would like to see the addition of "a specific 'bid day' function," and he has no use for the metric conversion feature, but these points are minor. He would recommend Sage Estimating to "any contractor who self-performs work and wants to save time, increase accuracy, and improve their estimating success & profitability. Very little computer experience is necessary, but having experience with Excel helps."
"The online knowledgebase, built-in help, and phone support services provide the assistance we need." And now that Langness is also a Sage business partner, he states that, "A national customer service award identifies Sage as responding to 80% of its support calls in less than 2 minutes."
He will consider upgrading in the future, "as small improvements can have a very large impact on our estimating processes and requirements." Overall, Langness rates the current version a 9 out of 10.
Review Summary:
What kinds of construction projects do you mostly work on?
All Types
How long have you been using this tool?
10 Years
Where did you obtain it?
Local Sage Business partner
How much did you pay?
$2,000 per concurrent user
How are you using this product?
Estimating costs, generating proposals and scheduling work
Why did you pick this product?
Sage Software's financial stability, local assistance & significant user base
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)?
Yes, most are similar. Local help ensured my chances of using it would be higher.
Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed?
Excel ease of use with database engine and many things that reduce duplication, transfer and organization.
Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
Assessing whether we should self perform the work or select subs who provide bids. All the details are at our fingertips to make decisions.
Can you estimate how much time or money you saved or other measurable benefits your firm realized using this tool?
Approximately 50% in time that allows more detailed estimate analysis or a chance to bid more work.
What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
Smart Assemblies that allow variables to dictate materials, labor & equipment costing in 1 step.
Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
Yes, was actually less of an investment than I originally expected.
What would you change about the product if you could?
Add a specific "bid day" function
Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
Metric conversion
Who would you recommend use this tool?
Any contractor who self performs work
How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
Very little, having experience with excel helps.
Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
Learning how to use the program is very easy but getting the database to fit our specific companies needs takes time. The time is well worth the value received.
Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
A national customer service award identifies Sage as responding to 80% of it's support calls in less than 2 minutes.
How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
The online knowledgebase, built in help and phone support services provide the assistance we need
When the next version of this software comes out, will you upgrade to it?
Yes, small improvements can have a very large impact on our estimating processes and requirements.
