Project Estimator vs simPRO

Likelihood to Recommend

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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Tim Corbett

General Manager

Infinite Energy Construction, incConstruction, 51-200 employees

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This software is great for the construction industry. Especially if you are doing in-home estimates. For example, it would be the best option in the industry, to my knowledge, for an HVAC, electrical service or plumbing business. They are always listening to their customers and evolving based on the customer's feedback and needs.

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Andrew Means

Project Manager

Sparrow ElectricConstruction, 11-50 employees

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Feature Rating Comparison

Project Estimator

simPRO

Takeoff tools

Job costing

Cost databases

Cost calculator

Bid creation

Project Estimator

simPRO

Plan distribution & viewing

Plan markups & sharing

Issue tracking & punchlists

Photo documentation

Jobsite reports

Document sharing

Collaboration & approvals

As-built drawings

Mobile app

Submittal design and management

Pros

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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Tim Corbett

General Manager

Infinite Energy Construction, incConstruction, 51-200 employees

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Billing: straight from a closed, complete job. Carries overall equipment, hours, takes one click to bill.
simPRO retains notes on all emails; notes can be entered by anyone to track communication with clients.

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Cheryl Bach

CFO (Chief Financial Officer)

Proguard Protection Services Inc; Allied Security Group Inc.Security & Investigations, 11-50 employees

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Cons

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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Tim Corbett

General Manager

Infinite Energy Construction, incConstruction, 51-200 employees

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More options on the BI Reporting.
Ability to customize views similar to Knack or Sales Force.

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Andrew Means

Project Manager

Sparrow ElectricConstruction, 11-50 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Support Rating

No score

No answers yet

No answers on this topic

simPRO 9.0

Based on 2 answers

simPRO gives you the dedicated person you can email/call, they have chat, you can file a case, and they provide videos for pretty much everything. We can train on it via their videos; it's excellent.

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Cheryl Bach

CFO (Chief Financial Officer)

Proguard Protection Services Inc; Allied Security Group Inc.Security & Investigations, 11-50 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Alternatives Considered

WinEst uses much the same database (RS Means/Gordion type) and has a similar interface. It is a bit cheaper.

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Tim Corbett

General Manager

Infinite Energy Construction, incConstruction, 51-200 employees

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It is better than using Zendesk or trying to custom build a system. Zendesk and so many other tools are so focused on the sales aspect of things and don't give you enough back end options like job costing, inventory management, etc. It is the best tool I have used for solar project management thus far.

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Andrew Means

Project Manager

Sparrow ElectricConstruction, 11-50 employees

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Return on Investment

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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Tim Corbett

General Manager

Infinite Energy Construction, incConstruction, 51-200 employees

View all 1 answers on this topic

simPRO is totally worth the investment
It is end to end. The whole staff is trained on one program.

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Cheryl Bach

CFO (Chief Financial Officer)

Proguard Protection Services Inc; Allied Security Group Inc.Security & Investigations, 11-50 employees

View all 2 answers on this topic

Pricing Details

General

Free Trial

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Free/Freemium Version

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Premium Consulting/Integration Services

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Entry-level set up fee?

No

General

Free Trial

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Free/Freemium Version

—

Premium Consulting/Integration Services

—

Entry-level set up fee?

—

Rating Summary

Project Estimator

simPRO

Project Estimator

simPRO