Why haven’t you bought estimating software for your business?
“Estimating software will help my business”
No doubt you’ve considered the benefits of estimating software. Estimating building work is time-consuming and difficult, especially in the current climate of escalating construction costs. The business argument for investing in software is strong. Investing in estimating software can help you:
Save time
Improve the accuracy of your estimates
Impress your customers with smart-looking quotes
Manage your jobs better with automated build programmes and reports
Make a decent profit
Go after larger and more upmarket projects
You’ve taken the steps to do your research but perhaps thoughts like this are holding you back from making a purchase:
“I’m too busy to make a change to my business”
We get it, you ARE busy. But what kind of busy are you talking about? The profit-making kind? Or the just about breaking-even kind? Can you afford to put off the decision? Buying estimating software is the turning point at which many businesses become not just busy but profitable. If you wait until quieter times to take the leap and modernise your business (and let’s face it, there are always quieter times in the building trade) it’ll be too late. You’ll be on the back foot, competing for fewer projects with building firms who have been winning work with estimating software for years.
“I don’t have time to learn to use software”
It’s an understandable concern but – if you choose the right product – you can be up and running with estimating software in hours, not weeks. Go for a product such as EstimatorXpress by HBXL Building Software and get access to hundreds of standard project templates. Select an extension, conservatory, garage or new build layout and the software will begin calculating the material, labour and plant requirements for you.
HBXL Building Software offers new starters free, online “software skills” training to get you started with EstimatorXpress. In addition, they provide unlimited telephone and email support, included free for the first year, so there’s always help at the other end of your phone or computer. In addition, you’ll have access to “How-to” help videos (think YouTube tutorials) to help you perfect your skills.
“Software is too expensive”
Maybe you’re reluctant to make the initial outlay. Think about the bigger picture. Estimating software is a relatively small investment for businesses turning over tens of thousands of pounds (or more!) per year. It’s a tool of the trade. You wouldn’t think twice about spending hundreds of pounds on digger hire. You could dig the foundations by hand and save money on the tool itself - but it would take much longer and be more costly in the long run. Your time is money!
What’s more, with professional-looking quotations that will help you win upmarket projects and project management tools to keep your projects on track, you could make the software cost back on the first job you win.
If cashflow is a challenge, you can sign up for EstimatorXpress and BuildingWorks on annual subscription to reduce the upfront cost.
The bottom line
Focus on the business case – the hard facts - for buying estimating software. Estimating software will not only save you time. With impressive customer quotations and an array of job management tools, it can take your business to the next level and improve your profitability.
Find out more about which estimating software is most suitable for your business.