e4clicks Project Estimator vs. RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)

Overview
ProductRatingMost Used ByProduct SummaryStarting Price
e4clicks Project Estimator
Score 5.0 out of 10
N/A
e4clicks Project Estimator is software that is designed to support the mission of Department of Defense and Federal Government facility owners, contractors, subcontractors, architects, and engineers. The vendor says multiple contracts, including JOC, SABER, 8(a), IDIQ, SATOC, MATOC, IFB, MACC, POCA, BOA, and others can be managed in a single comprehensive program quickly, easily, and with greater accuracy. Additionally, the vendor says approximately 85% of the Air Force Bases,…N/A
RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
Score 10.0 out of 10
N/A
RSMeans data, from Gordian (formerly Costworks) is a construction and estimation software offering acquired by the Gordian Group in 2014. It includes cost books and construction project estimating software tools.N/A
Pricing
e4clicks Project EstimatorRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
Editions & Modules
No answers on this topic
No answers on this topic
Offerings
Pricing Offerings
e4clicks Project EstimatorRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
Free Trial
NoNo
Free/Freemium Version
NoNo
Premium Consulting/Integration Services
NoNo
Entry-level Setup FeeNo setup feeNo setup fee
Additional Details——
More Pricing Information
Community Pulse
e4clicks Project EstimatorRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
Top Pros
Top Cons
Features
e4clicks Project EstimatorRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
Estimating
Comparison of Estimating features of Product A and Product B
e4clicks Project Estimator
5.2
1 Ratings
45% below category average
RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
7.8
1 Ratings
5% below category average
Takeoff tools5.01 Ratings6.01 Ratings
Job costing2.01 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Cost databases7.01 Ratings9.01 Ratings
Cost calculator6.01 Ratings8.01 Ratings
Bid creation6.01 Ratings7.01 Ratings
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User Ratings
e4clicks Project EstimatorRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
Likelihood to Recommend
5.0
(1 ratings)
9.0
(2 ratings)
Support Rating
-
(0 ratings)
5.0
(1 ratings)
User Testimonials
e4clicks Project EstimatorRSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks)
Likelihood to Recommend
The Gordian Group, Inc.
If you are considering purchasing this (very expensive) software, there is a 100% chance you are doing so because you have been awarded a Government contract that dictates you use 4Clicks Project Estimator. There are plenty of easier to use estimating packages out in the world, but you can't use any of them if you have a contract that requires 4Clicks.
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The Gordian Group, Inc.
Well Suited: Construction cost estimates for new larger projects where the construction will start within the next 6-9 months. Budgetary estimates for future buildings through its square foot models. Not Well Suited: Not accurate enough on small projects where labor, travel to sites, and OH&P are a higher percentage of unit costs than on larger projects where these costs are spread out across more units.
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Pros
The Gordian Group, Inc.
  • The estimates it produces are simple and easy to follow. The formatting is good.
  • The tech support provided is very attentive.
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The Gordian Group, Inc.
  • CostWorks is very good at generating quick and valid estimates for standardized facilities such as office buildings, schools, etc. It allows you to validate other cost estimates at the UniFormat level when doing an estimate validation.
  • CostWorks' database of detailed line-items is a very resourceful asset when it comes to finding a very specific line-item. Sometimes, when using Success or MII, I will have CostWorks open on the other screen so I can find an item that the other softwares just don't have and build it into the other software from the CostWorks entry.
  • CostWorks does a very good job of generating reports that are both well-developed and have enough detail at the summary level to be able to sit with a client or a project manager and have them follow along and understand without being overwhelmed with detail and numbers.
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Cons
The Gordian Group, Inc.
  • The software feels 20 years old. It has not kept up with modern times, and practically functions like an old DOS program.
  • Clunky interface, arcane commands.
  • Even their training info focuses on hotkeys like this is 1995. Even though I am of an age to remember computers in 1995, the younger generations of managers/estimators are not. It is time to bring the software into the new century!
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The Gordian Group, Inc.
  • small project costs where labor is a bigger portion than materials on cost
  • markup factors on governmental projects
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Support Rating
The Gordian Group, Inc.
No answers on this topic
The Gordian Group, Inc.
I've never had the need to discuss CostWorks with a vendor.
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Alternatives Considered
The Gordian Group, Inc.
WinEst uses much the same database (RS Means/Gordion type) and has a similar interface. It is a bit cheaper.
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The Gordian Group, Inc.
CostWorks is a unique software for estimating as compared to the other softwares I have listed above. PACES is mostly used for federal modeling and really cannot be compared to Costworks. It has its own developed modeling database and has its own quirkiness and issues. MII has been developed for the USACE and utilized a user-developed folder structure and RS Means Database. I use CostWorks along side this software to find line-items that are not in the MII RS Means Database. Success has been developed for NAVFAC and again, utilizes a user-developed folder structure and RS Means Database. When I use this software, I ALWAYS have CostWorks open on the other screen as Success' RS Means database is extremely lacking when it comes to the number of detail line-items. Timberline is by SAGE and I use it mostly for DOS and FAA work. Of the 3 RS Means Database softwares, this one has the most detailed database for reference, however, there are times when I do have to look up an item that Timberline does not have and the first software I open is CostWorks.
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Return on Investment
The Gordian Group, Inc.
  • As stated before, if you are buying this software, it is because you have a contract forcing you to. While it does work, it is clunky, awkward, and very expensive.
  • The price of the software and databases has always been high, but with the fairly recent acquisition of 4Clicks by Gordion (who also bought RS Means for their databases), there is literally no competition. Prices will continue to be very high, with no check on how high they can go.
  • Again, can't fault 4Clicks tech support, as I think it is the best in the industry. They know their product and they respond to issues immediately. Considering what we spend a year for this product, however, you would expect nothing less.
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The Gordian Group, Inc.
  • I don't really see any "negative" impacts on my business or my ROI by purchasing CostWorks. It's a valuable tool that we use, however, some of my colleagues do not use it or use it very infrequently.
  • I find it well worth the cost even though we don't develop complete estimates in CostWorks due to client dictated softwares.
  • It has provided very quickly-built estimating models that let our team and project managers know that the RFP or the task that they are contemplating bidding on or starting to work on is actually feasible to construction given the budget and directive.
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