0-10 subscribers
Player FM uygulamasıyla çevrimdışı Player FM !
Dinlemeye Değer Podcast'ler
SPONSOR


1 Pushing Past Stagnation & Business Plateaus 30:21
Choosing Estimating Software with Jef Forward – [Best of The Tim Faller Show]
Manage episode 427909220 series 2129738

Estimating accurately is critical to the success of any remodeling business. As you grow your business or hand off estimating to an employee, having the right system in place is paramount. It can feel like an overwhelming decision — there’s so much software available. The wrong decision will cost you lost revenue, but even worse — lost time.
Fortunately, there’s a simple strategy to help you navigate this very important decision.
In this episode, Jef Forward talks about estimating software with Tim and Steve. He’s worked with several estimating software packages and systems over the years, and shares what he’s learned.
Jef Forward is the founder of Forward Design Build Remodel in Ann Arbor, MI. For more than 20 years, Jef has performed every role within the company, including designer, laborer, carpenter, bookkeeper and estimator — you name it, he’s done it. Now with 24 employees, Jef has two full-time estimators.
Start your decision-making by looking at two factors — getting the estimate itself right and how the program’s output will be presented to someone other than the estimator — especially your clients. The first step is to not look at any software, Jef says. You can get distracted by all the bells and whistles of new programs and miss whether it will really work for you. He talks about the vetting process, what it can do for your estimating, and some of his favorite software choices, including:
- How to create a Process & Needs document
- Integrations with other programs
- Deciding on must-haves and nice-to-haves
- Mixing and matching vs. all-inclusive systems
- Not looking for quick fixes
- Evaluating and testing
- Who to involve in making choices
- The fine art of guessing
- What to do by hand vs. what’s automatic
- Slicing and dicing information
- Client presentations and reports
- And more …
Choosing the right estimating software for your company depends on many factors, but the work done up front will ensure you’re not saddled with a system that doesn’t fit. Taking the time and involving the team will help you make the right pick.
296 bölüm
Manage episode 427909220 series 2129738

Estimating accurately is critical to the success of any remodeling business. As you grow your business or hand off estimating to an employee, having the right system in place is paramount. It can feel like an overwhelming decision — there’s so much software available. The wrong decision will cost you lost revenue, but even worse — lost time.
Fortunately, there’s a simple strategy to help you navigate this very important decision.
In this episode, Jef Forward talks about estimating software with Tim and Steve. He’s worked with several estimating software packages and systems over the years, and shares what he’s learned.
Jef Forward is the founder of Forward Design Build Remodel in Ann Arbor, MI. For more than 20 years, Jef has performed every role within the company, including designer, laborer, carpenter, bookkeeper and estimator — you name it, he’s done it. Now with 24 employees, Jef has two full-time estimators.
Start your decision-making by looking at two factors — getting the estimate itself right and how the program’s output will be presented to someone other than the estimator — especially your clients. The first step is to not look at any software, Jef says. You can get distracted by all the bells and whistles of new programs and miss whether it will really work for you. He talks about the vetting process, what it can do for your estimating, and some of his favorite software choices, including:
- How to create a Process & Needs document
- Integrations with other programs
- Deciding on must-haves and nice-to-haves
- Mixing and matching vs. all-inclusive systems
- Not looking for quick fixes
- Evaluating and testing
- Who to involve in making choices
- The fine art of guessing
- What to do by hand vs. what’s automatic
- Slicing and dicing information
- Client presentations and reports
- And more …
Choosing the right estimating software for your company depends on many factors, but the work done up front will ensure you’re not saddled with a system that doesn’t fit. Taking the time and involving the team will help you make the right pick.
296 bölüm
Tüm bölümler
×
1 Live From Summit! The Final Episode of The Tim Faller Show – [The Tim Faller Show] S5 E27 35:15

1 Production in a Large Remodeling Firm with Bruce Case – [Best of The Tim Faller Show] 30:29

1 Hiring a Trade Contractor to be a Production Manager with August Bergdahl – [Best of The Tim Faller Show] 36:02

1 Getting the Numbers Right! With Margaret Cormode and Josh Radford – [The Tim Faller Show] S5 E26 44:24

1 Production in Insurance Restoration with Mike Carey – [Best of The Tim Faller Show] 40:51

1 Transitioning from Carpenter to Business Owner with Jared Thayer – [Best of The Tim Faller Show] 35:16

1 Using a Talent Management Test for Hiring with Ben Reynolds – [Best of The Tim Faller Show] 36:11

1 Controlling the Flow of Jobs Using a Master Schedule with Aaron Enfinger – [Best of The Tim Faller Show] 32:46

1 Active Listening in the Job Interview with Christine Miles – [Best of The Tim Faller Show] 36:58

1 Controlling Scope Creep With Sales Change Orders with Will Giesey – [Best of The Tim Faller Show] 35:47

1 Choosing Estimating Software with Jef Forward – [Best of The Tim Faller Show] 39:05

1 Managing Growth Effectively with Kevin Schultz – [Best of The Tim Faller Show] 37:18

1 Breaking Down Barriers: Women In Construction with Peyton Atchison and Solveig Haugland – [The Tim Faller Show] S5 E25 44:21

1 The Dumpster Stops Here! Strategies for Keeping Clients Happy with Vaughn Royer – [The Tim Faller Show] S5 E24 34:10
Player FM'e Hoş Geldiniz!
Player FM şu anda sizin için internetteki yüksek kalitedeki podcast'leri arıyor. En iyi podcast uygulaması ve Android, iPhone ve internet üzerinde çalışıyor. Aboneliklerinizi cihazlar arasında eş zamanlamak için üye olun.