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ESTIMATION SOFTWARE

5 replies [Last post]
Thu, 2009-06-11 03:59
SHAJI MOHAMED
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Dear all,

Can you please tell me any effective estimation software available in the market to make it use of efficient & faster tendering process for upcoming projects.

Advance Thanks & Regards

S.Shaji
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Replies

Fri, 2009-06-12 06:52
#1
Rafael Davila
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For those of you, after Britney - not before Tom Jones, in need of a conversion utility you can download one from the following link.

http://joshmadison.com/article/convert-for-windows

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Thu, 2009-06-11 14:58
#2
Mike Testro
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Hi Rafael

I looked at the spreadsheet on rapidshare - brilliant source of file sharing - I will look into it later.

It took me a while to understand what your formulas were all about until I realised that you are working in Imperial measurements - the good old pre metric yards feet and inches - with cwt to the yard rebar.

How that took me back to the good old days of duodecimals and working out reinforcement weights using £-S-D ready recconner tables to convert lbs weight to cwt.

Unfortunately nobody under the age of 60 in the UK and everyone else outside the US sphere of influence will have any idea what your formulas mean.

More fool them - the Imperial form of measurement was wrongly abandoned to the metric system back in the 60’s.

Best regards

Mike Testro
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Thu, 2009-06-11 12:43
#3
Rafael Davila
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For your convenience if you decide to continue with the spreadsheet approach you can download a sample worksheet showing how the use of pivot tables might be a convenient way to summarize data, learn the tricks and traps of using pivot tables as they are not automatically updated.

http://rapidshare.com/files/243433499/Sample_worksheet_showing_use_of_pi...

Figure it out by yourselves, with the assistance of Excel Help you will.

My satisfaction will be at how many downloads I can read. Do not take the attention out of the thread issues on Estimating Software. Submit your favorite software names and include your disappointments for the knowledge of all.

As soon as I finish my posting I will take a look at Hutchinson set of take off and pricing software as referred by Mike. I have found UK ways many times, ahead of US ways.

Mike:

Because rapidsahre free service is limited into how much I can store for free I asked as sometimes no one is interested. You can delete the last paragraph from my previous posting if this helps to avoid feeding frenzy.

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Thu, 2009-06-11 10:59
#4
Mike Testro
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Hi Rafael

A brilliant list of estimating and take off software for civil works.

For Building Construction I would suggest the Hutchinson set of take off and pricing software.

It is a shame that the old Wessex system is now defunct in its electronic format but you can still get the price discs from the RICS.

I noticed your kind offer to share your spreadsheet - so watch out for the feeding frenzy of Me Too Please murray eels!

If you wish I can delete them as and when they turn up.

Best regards

Mike Testro
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Thu, 2009-06-11 08:08
#5
Rafael Davila
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I have tried a few only to end up back using spreadsheet software.

You can try software tailored to be used with a digitizer or software tailored to be used with electronic files, a few can handle both. If looking for a digitizer you can consider GTCO Digitizers, I like the Roll up III model.
http://www.calcomp.com/index.htm

You can consider using the digitizer as a sophisticated measuring tool to be used with your software of choice, even a spreadsheet. I prefer this option; I wish I had a digitizer as before. For those whose drawing standard is Autocad, Autodesk have a product that works directly with these files without the need to use a digitizer, Autodesk Construction. I downloaded a demo and did not like it; but it should be your decision.
http://usa.autodesk.com/adsk/servlet/index?siteID=123112&id=10326955

Software that allows making quantity take off directly out of PDF files might be a better option as you can convert to PDF almost any drawing. Here you can consider;
Roctek products http://www.roctek.com/
Planswift products http://www.planswift.com/

For General Purpose, at a higher cost but with more options, in my previous searches the most notable have been:
Quest Estimating products http://www.questestimating.com.au/
Bid2win http://www.bid2win.com/home/
Ice Estimating http://www.mc2-ice.com/products/ice2000.html

For earthwork quantities you might consider one of the following options:

For the traditional Average End Area method: particularly suited for road earthworks but can be used for almost any type of work. The advantage of this method relies in that anyone, even without having access to the software can verify the data from the cross section tables and also the volume computations from the table for this purpose. Here I would recommend PIZER Earth.
http://www.earthworksoftware.com/
This has been my choice for years.
For the Grid Method where you make a grid of your site plan and compare average finish grade versus average existing grade. Rarely use it but I believe it is embedded in some AutoCad products.
Another to consider might be eWinEx Pro by Roctek
http://www.softwareadvice.com/construction/ewinex-pro-profile/
Earth Modelers: supposed to be the most precise and advanced of all. The advantage of course precision and versatility. Disadvantage learning curve, cost and the fact that computations are hidden as if a black box making it difficult to others verify on the quantities and agree.
Among them:
Insite Sitework http://www.insitesoftware.com/
Trimble Paydirt http://www.trimble.com/paydirt.shtml
EarthWorks http://www.earthworkssoftware.com/Earthworks.htm

With so many products on the marked I wanted to provide you with a list of those I believe are the most notable, this without limiting your options to a single approach.

If you decide to continue with the spreadsheet approach, at your request I can provide you with some sample spreadsheets to show you my methods as long as you promise not coming to my domain and be my competitor. I would upload it into rapid share for your download, so no need for you to disclose your e-mail address.

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