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INTUIT QUICKBOOKS REVIEW

As a builder of four to six custom homes a year, Daniel DeVol Custom Builder Inc. is used to focusing on even the smallest details and needed to make sure its software program would do the same. When the company needed something to organize and manage its complex schedule of deliveries, subcontractors, customer orders and meetings, the Dayton, Ohio-based custom builder researched both Microsoft Project and Intuit QuickBooks for use with its existing Sage Software ACT! and Microsoft Visual Basic solutions.

"I looked at Microsoft Project and it was way too complicated," said Dan DeVol, president. With QuickBooks, on the other hand, "I could open up Visual Basic right away."

After paying about $300 to download the program from Intuit's website, DeVol began using Intuit QuickBooks and quickly organized his company due to the program's ease of use. "I feel like there is a plan in place," he said regarding his software solution. Capabilities like being "able to create a list of service-type items and email them to subcontractors is invaluable."

Overall, DeVol would rated QuickBooks a 9 out of 10, "only because I don't think anything deserves a 10," he said.

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?
 
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)?
 
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?
 
Who would you recommend use this tool?
 
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?
New custom homes.

How long have you been using this tool?
More than seven years.

Where did you obtain it?
From the Intuit QuickBooks website.

How much did you pay?
About $300.

How are you using this product?
For construction scheduling.

Why did you pick this product?
Because of the program's ease of use and great support.

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, I looked at Microsoft Project, and it was way too complicated. [With QuickBooks] I could open up Visual Basic and start right away.

Comparing the way you work now with the way you worked before you bought this tool, what has changed?
Now I feel that there is a plan in place.

Can you give us an example of a job where this tool really made a difference?
Service work. To be able to create a list of service-type items and email them to subcontractors is invaluable.

Can you estimate how much time or money you have saved or other measurable benefits your firm has realized using this tool?
A lot!

What are the best features (for your business) in this tool?
All! I like the Gantt chart, and the fact that work orders can be emailed.

Do you think it's a fair value for the price you paid?
Intuit Quickbooks is a great value.

What would you change about the product if you could?
I wish that files and JPEGs could be added.

Are there features that you don't use? Why not?
I do not use the calendar view.

Who would you recommend use this tool?
I would recommend this job cost accounting software. I promote it through by builder forums online and to local builders.

How much computer experience do you think someone needs to use this tool effectively?
Very little.

Did it take much training (or studying) to learn to use this tool?
No!

Have you ever called the company's support lines and asked for help? What was your experience like?
Yes. That is one of the [program's] very strong points. Someone is always there and very helpful. It's nice to deal with a company that has that kind of service.

How would you rate the user documentation? Is it helpful?
I would suspect that most people will say they don't use 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, only because I don't think anything deserves a 10.