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The perfect construction add-in for DIY contractors
March 27, 2018

The perfect construction add-in for DIY contractors

Jeff Looby, CPA | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 7 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel

GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is being used as the go-to Microsoft Excel-based project cost estimating tool within my organization. It is only being used within a single department within the company. To be frank, I don't believe this Excel add-in is appropriate or has the broad functionality required to be used across departments within the entire organization.

The business problem that is addressed by GeneralCost Estimator is a single, aggregated source location for cost data, modifiable overhead and applied profit, and summary and detailed reports that address both bills of material and quotations of price.

  • Convenient estimating
  • Streamlines the price quotation process
  • Standard cost application
  • Overhead calculation and pplication
  • Only CSI construction cost database data
  • Only works with Microsoft Office (Excel)
  • The online help system has limited functionality
  • Allows us to quickly bid on small projects
  • Allows us to pay less for accounting / finance professionals
  • Allows us to standardize our cost structure
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 The flip side to the ease of use is the limited functionality, somewhat outdated cost bucketing profile and general lack of sophistication.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.

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

GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel Feature Ratings