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BIDBuilder
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"Change before you have to."
- Jack Welch
BIDBUILDER FAQs
 
  1. How long is the learning curve?
  2. I use Excel, why should I upgrade to BidBuilder?
  3. Do I start from scratch and have to build or purchase databases?
  4. Can BidBuilder handle Assemblies?
  5. Does BidBuilder handle shipping and ordering of items based on the cycle of the project?
  6. Can BidBuilder price differently for different project types, locations, etc.?
  7. Will BidBuilder force me to estimate differently than I do now?
  8. Does BidBuilder provide presentation quality reports?
  9. Does BidBuilder work with my design software?
  10. Does BidBuilder work with my accounting software?
  11. Does BidBuilder work with my project management and job costing software?
  12. Will I still be able use automated pricing from trade groups or other businesses I work with?
  13. Should I purchase a digitizer to use with BidBuilder?
  14. Does BidBuilder interface with any digital takeoff programs?
  15. Should I purchase Digital Takeoff with BidBuilder?
  16. How accurate is BidBuilder?


Q. How long is the learning curve?
A. As the demonstration shows, BidBuilder Estimating Software is very easy to learn and use. Most people pick it up and can operate BidBuilder very quickly right out of the box. If you have ever used Excel, then your learning curve is hours and not days. One client with no estimating software experience coined BidBuilder to have a "weekend learning curve." As always is the case, if you do have questions you can call us, toll-free, and speak with contractors and estimators with real world experience that will help you.

If you are familiar with Excel you will see that BidBuilder is very familiar to you and you already essentially then know how it works. Yet we go much further than any spreadsheet by providing databases for you. And by setting up your items and assemblies for you, we save you both time and money. We know you are busy in the field your projects, let us help you by managing the technology for you.  Return to top

Q. I use Excel, why should I upgrade to BidBuilder?
A. Many of our clients have seen or used Excel and they tell us that on average they have doubled their speed from a spreadsheet, and at the same time have much better accuracy, more control over their operation and are winning more bids with more accurate estimates. BidBuilder contains it's own databases (Residential and CSI) while still being as easy to use as your current spreadsheet. Don't get bogged down in maintaining an estimating software system yourself; let the power of our software take care of your estimating and you focus on what you do best and winning more projects!

Q. Do I start from scratch and have to build or purchase databases?
A. No! BidBuilder already contains hundreds of popular items in its database and is pre-organized for you. Included is a comprehensive Residential database containing pre-created Items and Assemblies as well as a database done in the standard CSI format. Both make it easy and fast to find any item or assembly. Unlike other estimating software products, you aren't required to build anything from scratch nor do we force you to pay for items databases! With BidBuilder you can add, delete or modify any existing item or completely customize your own database.

Q. Can BidBuilder handle Assemblies?
A. Absolutely. We include 100 popular assemblies for you right out of the box so you are productive immediately! You can easily and quickly add, delete or modify any of these or customize your own. We don’t force you to purchase these nor do you have to start from scratch - you already have 100 pre-created and ready for use.

Q. Does BidBuilder handle shipping and ordering of items based on the cycle of the project?
A. Yes. You have the ability to simply tag items into their appropriate Work Break Down Structure. This enables you to quickly identify everything by project phase, location, etc. for fast and easy ordering, delivery, etc.

Q. Can BidBuilder price differently for different project types, locations, etc.?

A. Yes. It is as simple as clicking one button and pricing is automatically used for the location, project type, etc.

Q. Will BidBuilder force me to estimate differently than I do now?
A. No. Unlike other software, the flexibility of BidBuilder enables you to estimate by selecting your preferences on a few quick settings vs. forcing you to learn new methodology and causing a painful learning curve.

Q. Does BidBuilder provide presentation quality reports?
A. Yes. BidBuilder does provide you with the ability to create custom proposals. But we didn't stop there. BidBuilder has enabled you to show exactly what work is being done - Visually - a picture is worth 1,000 words, right? Eliminate confusion in the clients mind and you win the job. BidBuilder lets you paste drawings, manufacturers product graphics, etc. directly in the proposal to eliminate confusion for the buyer and eliminate a liability risk for you. That is going above and beyond what your competition will do. And, you don't have to worry that your client doesn't understand EXACTLY what they are getting. What do you get? The project, a professional reputation and true peace of mind!

Q. Does BidBuilder work with my design software?
A. BidBuilder contains direct links to most popular design software - including SolidBuilder!

Q. Does BidBuilder work with my accounting software?
A. Most Likely. BidBuilder comes ready with direct links to most popular accounting products including QuickBooks.

Q. Does BidBuilder work with my project management and job costing software?
A. Most Likely. BidBuilder comes ready with direct links to many popular products including Primavera, Microsoft Project, etc.

Q. Will I still be able use automated pricing from trade groups or other businesses I work with?
A. Yes. In fact, you can even identify which prices on a project may still have to be honored on a bid and these will not be over written. This button let’s you quickly and easily maintain the integrity and margins of guaranteed bids.

Q. Should I purchase a digitizer to use with BidBuilder?
A. BidBuilder works great with or without a digitizer. The reasons that most clients elect to add a digitizer to their order is: 1.) Speed. A digitizer enables you to estimate a plan even more automatically by clicking on the drawing and automatically calculating and entering quantities with no additional mouse clicks. 2.) Visual Assistance. While digitizing, BidBuilder draws a 3D graphic of the design so you can see any areas you may have missed. It also colors areas that have already been taken off; if it’s colored it’s been counted so you won’t miss items on a bid any more.

Q. Does BidBuilder interface with any digital takeoff programs?
A. Yes, in fact we have our own which is called Digital Takeoff. Digital takeoff is one of only a couple of truly professional products that you can get for under $1,000 - HALF the cost of a Digitizer. BidBuilder enables you to take full advantage of Digital Takeoff by snapping digital pictures or scanning in drawings or even importing CAD drawings from other software, architects or designers. This keeps your costs down, lets you respond to your prospective customer very quickly, makes you appear more professional and progressive and wins more projects!

Q. Should I purchase Digital Takeoff with BidBuilder?
A. If you want to be completely automated, save space on your desk top, spend less than a digitizer costs and visually check that your estimate is complete and you did not miss anything then the answer is yes. To see more information on Digital Takeoff and how it will benefit you directly, click this link - Digital Takeoff.

Q. How accurate is BidBuilder?
A. BidBuilder is accurate to 10 decimal places, we think that this is more accurate than you care to be, but, we want to be sure that your profits are secured and surprises are eliminated! It is not easy to find building intelligence in software that protects your profits like BidBuilder will.