Builder Magazine: Estimating

Mobile Apps: Epicor

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 04:25:52 EST

The global software retailer developed a mobile module for its sales system, allowing reps whose firms use its software to view inventory, pricing, product availability, and other customer data in real-time.

Mobile Apps: MiTek

Fri, 22 Feb 2013 04:29:20 EST

Building material suppliers can collaborate with their contractor and builder customers using MiTek’s Mobile Viewer.

Big Builder Survey: On the Matter of Foreclosures

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 09:05:03 EST

Currently, foreclosures--and whether they will or will not continue apace--appear the most significant threat to the overall housing market. When asked when the inventory overhang of foreclosed properties would be cleared,

Before the Call: Beazer

Mon, 30 Jan 2012 10:12:07 EST

With the legal issues that plagued it for more than two years assuaged, Beazer's next great task is similar to that of other builders--return to profitability. Nobody's expecting that to have happened in the company's third quarter, which ended June 30. Analysts are estimating losses ranging from $0.88 a share to $1.92, with the average at $1.53 for its third quarter. All would be improvements from its second quarter loss of $2.97 a share.

Tech Tools: March 2007

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:06:00 EST

- Builders and designers relying on Chief Architect to help sell upgrades in kitchens and other parts of the house. - Sage Software to ship Estimating for Master BUILDER in April.

Supply Chain Progress

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 11:05:49 EST

During the rise of the internet era in the late 1990s, while the automotive, aerospace, and most other industries moved forward with B2B e-commerce, BuildNet, the building industry's e-commerce play, failed miserably. The result was that home building lagged far behind most other industries in this area—but that's beginning to change.

Good Planning

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:42:55 EST

One positive aspect of the housing slowdown is that home builders now have the time to evaluate and ultimately deploy technology that can make their operations more efficient.

Tech Tools: February 2007

Fri, 18 Sep 2009 01:33:59 EST

- A new Web-based estimating system offers builders a powerfuland affordable combination of estimating and purchasing features. - The new version of FastTrack Schedule features Mindjet's MindManager.

NAHB Briefs: December 2006

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 02:21:08 EST

- Millions of homeowners could face higher taxes in 2011, unless Congress acts to repeal or reform the estate tax. - The Building Systems Councils of the NAHB releases a free publication as a resource for builders and buyers of panelized homes. - The president of Magleby Cos., is named the NAHB's first-ever Custom Home Builder of the Year.

Software Bookends

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 01:18:06 EST

HOME BUILDERS LOOKING FOR A WAY TO understand HomeFront, the sales and warranty management software from Red Deer, Alberta, Canada–based Zybertech, should think of it as a pair of bookends that run on either side of BuilderMT's purchasing system and the Sage Timberline Office accounting and estimating software.

Tech Tools: August 2006

Fri, 21 Aug 2009 11:49:07 EST

- Sage Software and Innovaya release a new product to lets builders run an estimate from a 3-D AutoCAD file. - BellSouth and The Weather Channel now offer a new service that provides alerts and warnings of severe weather.

Easier Estimates

Wed, 19 Aug 2009 03:01:22 EST

FOR YEARS, BUILDERS USED A DIGITIZER TO transfer electronic linear counts for the sizes and materials they would need for a job into a digital format for use in an estimating program. But the digitizer, which essentially served as an electronic note pad for the linear information, had its drawbacks.

Master Upgrade

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 02:33:24 EST

Intuit has managed to introduce some useful new user-requested features to Master Builder 10 without taking existing users out of their comfort zones.

Viable Alternative

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:25:54 EST

CSG has added sales automation software to its estimating and accounting modules to create a full construction management system

Intuit's Master Builder Delivers Complete Back-Office System

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:52:15 EST

Builders now have a much more affordable option thanks to Intuit, which is promoting a series of new communications features in Master Builder 2004 that help builders integrate their scheduling, estimating, job costing, purchasing, and accounting operations. Master Builder, used by some 6,500 companies, is geared toward builders with revenues of $3 million to $25 million.

Simple Calculator Brings Efficiency to Brick, Mortar

Fri, 25 Sep 2009 04:52:55 EST

The Palmetto Brick Co. in Cheraw, S.C., says it has created a new estimating tool that increases the materials efficiency of brick work and could save builders $300 to $500 per job.

Easy Integrator

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 11:45:04 EST

Timberline Precision Estimating and Gold Accounting have always been regarded as rock-solid products. I'm impressed with the Office approach: It provides a clear implementation strategy for Timberline and partnering products, which makes it easier for builders to evaluate what they need and to deploy what they purchase.

Ready for Take-Off

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 05:43:27 EST

Materials take-off modules are now available for the leading computer aided design (CAD) programs. That introduces another layer of complexity to CAD management and version control that for a production home builder can represent a major shift in work processes.

CAD Plus

Tue, 18 Aug 2009 04:51:06 EST

Ten years ago I coined the phrase "CAD-Assisted Estimating" to describe early attempts by CAD vendors to provide take-off and bill-of-materials functionality. Now, using CAD to automate the take-off process can be a reality. Most builders will still need to tweak results in a spreadsheet or conventional estimating software.

An Educated Guess

Tue, 29 Sep 2009 10:49:27 EST

Estimating software saves time and takes the guesswork out of estimates.Estimating software can't prevent you from procrastinating or waiting until the last minute to submit your bid, but it can help you when time's running out. Alma Jessop, president of L.A. Construction in Salt Lake City, says many builders spend an average of eight hours preparing a detailed, handwritten estimate for a 2,000-square-foot house.