Acquired by ConstructConnect from Quote Software, QuoteSoft is a construction and estimation software for mechanical, piping, plumbing, HVAC and ductwork.
We were looking at this, as well as quick pen, and other industry standard programs like Wendes. QuoteSoft was far more versatile, user friendly and has proven to be the right choice. No specific equipment outside of a bigger monitor, ease of use, and tech support as well as the …
We have been using Sage Estimating for close to two decades now. Changing from a base software is always hard as the incumbent package always has an advantage over any new comers. In this case we have considered both Procore Technologies and Redteam software as an alternate …
I have also extensive experience using spreadsheets to estimate projects. I still use spreadsheets to support my estimates. Spreadsheets are very flexible and can be adjusted to show the estimate in an endless variety of ways. However, spreadsheets suffer from one serious …
QuoteSoft is used for quantity takeoff, marking up duct drawings for modifications, and importing and exporting material lists. It is also ideal for making on-the-fly modifications to ducts, seams, and fittings during takeoff.
For our client the product is very user friendly which makes it easier for the new comers to be trained and start using it. Interactive tools to for building and then sharing estimates with clients, suppliers and others is very well suited for our needs. Continues updates makes the platform better and better with each itereation
Once you're over the learning curve, it's fantastic at getting accurate material takeoff. Because one is working off the real PDF prints of the project, it's very easy to get a good material list and takeoff.
Excellent for giving options of transitions and allowing the user to account for the actual 3rd dimension of the project by being able to click and add the sections needed to transition between floors.
The speed in which the user is able to takeoff is so much faster than traditional methods, and more accurate and easier to use than the other options on the market. Prints out great reports showing materials and hours, and lets you color code the systems while estimating so you know you aren't duplicating efforts.
Very flexible as far as how it adjusts for your desired estimate. You can identify per floor, side of the building, system, etc.
Allows for fast on the fly adjustments of sizes, materials and types of transitions with ductwork.
I'd prefer an 'all in one' as opposed to modules. I believe it's offered in that fashion but it was a touch more expensive. I was able to negotiate a footage takeoff tool for piping, to make it easier and more economical to our specific use, which is 95% dry side hvac estimating.
Would be great if it could be preloaded with Smacna or MCA factors for labor, and also would be great if there was a faster way to update material costs. You do need to stay on top of your material factors and make adjustments per the price of steel and other consumables. The industry has been stable lately, but if for some reason you were lax in updating labor and material factors, you could be off on the estimate. That's true of ANY software or even standard old school estimating approach.
It does require a dongle and a per seat license. The one drawback I don't care for, in a small company with tight cash flow, I do have estimators sharing the seat and scheduling takeoff around each other. Pretty standard though.
The program has a fairly antiquated user interface such that someone working in it may not feel like they are working with advanced software.
Sage Estimating has absolutely no remote access capability outside running it in a Citrix/RDP environment so users have to be using a fat/full client vs. any hopes of access on a mobile device.
Sage's support of Estimating is adequate though frankly we rarely need it. Outside of more complex operations such as upgrades and installation problems the program itself is so straightforward that we do not usually have any "issues" and questions that are more about usability can easily be answered in online forums. We trust Sage's capability to answer these questions if needed but rarely use it.
We were looking at this, as well as quick pen, and other industry standard programs like Wendes. QuoteSoft was far more versatile, user friendly and has proven to be the right choice. No specific equipment outside of a bigger monitor, ease of use, and tech support as well as the online training aspect was fantastic. Felt well supported while we rolled it out.
We have been using Sage Estimating for close to two decades now. Changing from a base software is always hard as the incumbent package always has an advantage over any new comers. In this case we have considered both Procore Technologies and RedTeam software as an alternate to not only our estimating practices but the whole Project Management suite. In the case of Procore although its mobile capability is far superior the pricing point on it is so high that we had to move on from consideration of it. Our review of RedTeam suggested the software not mature enough for our needs. Sage Estimating's days are numbered if they do not develop better mobility in the application but for now it is the the go-to package for mature GC's.
First positive impact is time saved. We're able with our small team to estimate..ACCURATELY far more projects, thus winning more projects.
Accuracy once we had our factors programmed is fantastic. It's tightened up our material and labor hours and made us more competitive
Definitely has had a great return on investment. Helping to land more projects out of the sheer amount of available time to bid more, as well as being more confident in material costs.
