Mechanical estimating software helps you create accurate estimates faster. These programs can take digital measurements from drawings or schematics and count plan symbols like dampers, registers, and air handlers. They can also incorporate labor, equipment, overage, profit margin and sales tax to create detailed bids.
The best mechanical estimating software has a database of over 100,000 materials and items for plumbing, piping, sheet metal, and ventilation. It can also match MCAA and PHCC labor tables to current industry rates.
Easy to use
A good mechanical estimating software program is easy to use and allows you to create estimates quickly and accurately. It also supports a wide variety of fabrication equipment. Ask if it can work with your specific types of equipment and what size equipment it can handle. This information is important for ensuring that you can fabricate your project on time.
Using this technology can help you save up to 80% of your time on estimating and takeoff tasks, so you can get more projects done in less time. This software can also help you build trust with clients by providing reliable and accurate cost estimates. It can also reduce the number of mistakes and prevent costly errors that could hurt your business.
You should also look for a cloud-based solution that is convenient for mobile workers. This way, you can access your estimating data from anywhere, even when you’re working in the field. Additionally, it will allow you to update your estimate in real-time, so you won’t have to wait for a customer service rep to do it for you.
It’s best to choose a mechanical estimation software solution with full support. A good support team will be highly motivated to make sure you’re getting the results you need from the program. These people will have a lot of money on the line if they don’t satisfy you, so they’re more likely to do their best to provide top-notch service.
Customizable
The best mechanical estimating software will help your business grow by saving you time, making it easy to perform digital takeoffs and incorporating labor, sales tax, equipment and other costs into your estimates. This will give you more opportunities to win bids and get projects started in the field.
The software should also have a large database of mechanical-specific items, including piping, valves and fittings and light gauge and heavy gauge sheet metal materials for heating, ventilation and air conditioning. It should have more than 100,000 different parts and items. It should also include a library of pre-built assemblies to speed up the build process.
A good system will also have a variety of different methods for connecting pipe and fittings together, including soldered, brazed, welded, grooved and pressed joints. It will also have different size breaks, including copper up to 2″ and carbon steel from 2-1/2″. It should also offer a large catalog of pipe fittings in various shapes, sizes, and types, from the most common fittings to specialty pieces.
The software should be customizable for each user and for the company as a whole. This will let estimators work with the same data, ensuring consistency in the final estimate. It should be scalable, allowing you to add users as your business grows. It should also allow you to use BIM tools, enabling you to reduce the amount of time spent on manual estimation by passing detailed takeoff data directly into the estimating program.
Integrated with BIM tools
Mechanical estimating software is a powerful tool that can help contractors increase profit margins by accurately forecasting project timelines and materials costs. Integrated with BIM, mechanical estimators can also reduce the likelihood of costly errors by eliminating rework. Having a thorough understanding of the project plans and specifications is essential to determining the required labour and materials. This allows estimators to deliver projects on time and within budget.
An integrated estimating system provides a single, centralized platform that can manage all aspects of the estimating process from work orders to customer management and billing. This helps to reduce data duplication, miscommunication, and disorganization. It also helps prevent a loss of productivity by eliminating the need to transfer files between different applications. Using this type of software can save estimators up to an hour per day in labor-intensive tasks.
In addition, a good mechanical estimating system should offer a comprehensive database of mechanical-specific parts and items, as well as pricing for piping and sheet metal work. Vendors that offer piping estimating solutions should include labor and material cost information for a wide range of pipe fittings, valves, and cylinders, while those offering sheet metal estimating solutions should have price information for both light and heavy gauge materials for heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and cooling. In addition, a good estimate should have the ability to perform automatic plan count, and to include labor, equipment, overage, sales tax, and other factors in estimates.
Reports
A mechanical estimating software is a useful tool for any business that performs work on building projects. It allows you to calculate project costs accurately and create detailed proposals. It also reduces the chances of human error and saves time by automating calculations. It can be customized according to the specific needs of your business, resulting in better control over your operations.
A good mechanical estimating software program will have a large database of mechanical-specific parts and items. You should look for a database that includes different sizes of pipe in copper and black iron, as well as a wide selection of fittings. It should also include several ways to join pipe and fittings, including soldered, brazed, welded, pressed, or glued joints. In addition, the software should allow you to use different specifications, such as CSA and ANSI standards.
When choosing a mechanical estimating software program, look for one that is easy to use and offers plenty of training videos and documentation. This will help you learn the programs capabilities and troubleshoot any issues you may encounter. You should also consider if the software is a subscription model, which allows you to use it on demand. This is a convenient option for businesses that are budget-conscious and want to avoid upfront payments. In addition, it can be accessed from any device with an internet connection.