GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel vs. SafetyNet

Specific scenarios where GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is well suited include:

• Small to medium sized contractor who typically works on small to medium sized projects with limited complexity
• Contractors who value low prices over full functionality (this software application is very affordably priced)
• A new contractor or new contracting accounting / finance professional who would appreciate the specific limitations imposed by the software

Specific scenarios where GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is not well suited include:

• Larger contractors who think about and price projects in line with typical commercial design and construction
• Residential projects (the software is much better suited for commercial lease buildouts, for instance)
• A contractor whose finance department already uses full-suite accounting software

Incentivized

I’ve been telling colleagues about this software as it’s worked well for us. We’ve been using it for about a year now, and the ability to get real-time data from the field back to the home office is a huge plus. Our workers found it easy to learn and not difficult to use in the field, too

Incentivized

• Convenient estimating
• Streamlines the price quotation process
• Standard cost application
• Overhead calculation and pplication

Incentivized

• The interface is easy to use on a phone or iPad.
• Can be done in real time when on site.
• The construction tasks to report on are organized and comprehensive.

Incentivized

• Only CSI construction cost database data
• Only works with Microsoft Office (Excel)
• The online help system has limited functionality

Incentivized

• Maybe an automated safety report can be implemented based on pictures and videos of construction.
• The interface could use shortcuts to tasks that are being tracked more often.

Incentivized

GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is cheaper, easier to use, more streamlined and is easily installed and up and running. The flip side to the ease of use is the limited functionality, somewhat outdated cost bucketing profile and general lack of sophistication. The add-in also does not talk with full suite accounting software which requires additional reconciliations if used within a large organization.

Incentivized

This is the first kind of this software we’ve used. A colleague at another company mentioned it and I thought it would be a good addition to our ability to help our guys in the field. So far it seems to be living up to the promises we were given

Incentivized

• Allows us to quickly bid on small projects
• Allows us to pay less for accounting / finance professionals
• Allows us to standardize our cost structure

Incentivized

• Too soon to tell, but expected to be good

Incentivized