Selecting Your First Estimating Software: A Podcast Discussion

McCormick President Paul Wheaton appears on the latest episode of Today’s Electrical Estimating, a podcast hosted by Chris Trommer and Sal Huerta where they chat with leading electrical estimating experts to share industry insights and trade-specific tips.

The trio deep dive into the considerations estimators need to make before purchasing their first electrical estimating software.

The conversation focuses on how construction professionals should approach the research process. They go into detail about which specific features and benefits to look for to maximize the estimating system.

Click here to watch the entire episode on YouTube.

Key Takeaways:

1. Research Options Based on Your Needs

Wheaton discusses how the size of a company and the type of projects they work on impacts their choice in estimating software.

Some software is built for larger companies who work with larger scopes, while other solutions cater toward smaller companies whose jobs are less detailed.

He even brings up a third option where more advanced estimating software offers the best of both worlds with functionalities for smaller companies and more in-depth capabilities for larger companies.

2. Determine How Software is Delivered

Wheaton mentions the importance of understanding the difference between on-premise software, which is stored locally on a user’s device, and cloud-based software, where the user can access the software by logging in on any device and which option the estimator prefers.

Most vendors offer both versions of software so figuring out what type will most positively affect your company is critical.

3. Support is Crucial to Success

The vendor’s approach to support determines the user’s experience.

Wheaton says estimators should ask the estimating software companies about the client services they offer during and after implementation has occurred and avoid companies that don’t meet their expectations.

If the support is minimal, outsourced or comes with a price tag, these are factors generally considered red flags.

4. Always Schedule a Demonstration

Software demonstrations can serve as a free hour to hour and a half training class for users to see exactly how the software performs.

According to Wheaton, demos also give estimators one-on-one time to ask questions and receive in-depth answers from product experts.

Purchasing estimating software can feel dauting: the market is saturated and the pressure to invest in the right one — the one that both checks the boxes and offers scalable opportunities — is high.

But Paul Wheaton, Chris Trommer and Sal Huerta are here to give you all the insights and tips to help ease the researching process. Click here to watch the entire episode on YouTube.

Guests: Paul Wheaton