Estimating

• Managing for Maximum Productivity

  Small changes in both the office and the field can lead to greater efficiency and bigger profits. A veteran remodeling contractor tells how he boosted his company’s productivity without spending a lot of time and money.

   

• Computer Solutions: WinEst Pro Plus 4.0

  Estimating with WinEst Pro 4.0

   

• Strictly Business: Remodeling a Remodeling Company

  Downsizing a remodeling business

   

• A Practical Approach to Construction Computing

  Four computer-savvy contractors explain how they use off-the-shelf software to integrate and streamline their business procedures.

   

• Kitchen and Bath: Upgrading Kitchen Wiring

  Estimating electrical work

   

• Profiting From Insurance Work

  Insurance repair jobs usually go to the lowest bidder. But when nature wreaks havoc, the rules change. An upscale remodeler tells how he learned to love insurance work.

   

• Quick Kitchen Estimates

  Clients often want to know what their new kitchen will cost before they’ve picked cabinets or decided on countertop material — even before they’ve finalized the layout. This unit-price approach will help you produce rough estimates quickly and with a minimum of guesswork.

   

• Profiting From Panelized Construction

  A Massachusetts builder explains how he uses factory-built panels to lower costs and speed construction of custom homes and additions.

   

• Estimating Rules of Thumb

  A veteran estimator shares tricks and tips that ensure fast and accurate estimates, from foundation to finishes.

   

• State-of-the-Art Contractor: Tracking Costs

  Simple, low-cost estimating/job-costing program

   

• Focus on Energy: Simple Airflow Test

  Simple pressure test for ductwork

   

• Software for Builders That Works

  Every construction software package promises the world, but few deliver. Four contractors who’ve tried them all talk about the programs that work for their businesses.

   

• Business Forum: Mind Time

  Setting priorities

   

• State-of-the-Art Contractor: Low-Cost Invoicing and Estimating

  Simple invoicing software

   

• Business Forum: Estimate Equals Actual

  The mechanics of subcontractor liens

   

• Estimating Basics for Remodelers

  Accurate job-cost information and a thorough estimating checklist help this successful remodeler win jobs that make money.

   

• State of the Art Contractor: Ready-to-Use Spreadsheets for Estimating (GC Works)

  Spreadsheet estimator

   
• 

  Computers: Struck by "Litning"

  Integrated estimating and bookkeeping

   

• State-of-the-Art Contractor: Magic Act

  Bid Magic estimator

   

• Training Lead Carpenters

  A job foreman needs more than good carpentry skills to manage the construction site. Here are the techniques a successful builder uses to find lead carpenters within his own ranks, rather than hiring from outside.