Carpentry Estimating Software
If you’re already back in front of the screen after dinner to estimate how many studs, noggins and top plates you’ll need to quote to win the next job, then it’s about time you revised your old processes. No seriously, take 5 minutes to read on.
Carpentry Estimating Software
Far too often we hear of carpenters quoting long after they should have downed tools. We’re guessing you’d rather be watching some TV or tinkering away in the shed, instead of getting back on the computer after the kids have gone to sleep.
Digitally measure every aspect of a carpentry job. From the subfloor to the roofing components Groundplan gives you the accuracy to estimate how much material you’ll need for each stage and how much time the carpentry job will take.
The old-skool method of quoting works ok, albeit manual and time consuming. It often involves a calculator, a pen, some paper and maybe a spreadsheet or two.
This method has been around for years, so why change it?
Here’s the thing, people are adopting a faster, more accurate approach to quoting and it’s likely going to be your competition. There may be a good reason why you didn’t win that last job. If the competition got that quote in faster, and it looked more professional, then who’s in front?
Use estimating software to more accurately estimate the timber required
In our experience, there are a wide range of various processes carpenters use to estimate how much time and timber it’s going to take to efficiently get a job done.
No matter what your process, if you’d like to get a much clearer picture of the timber required for your top plates, bottom plates, studs and noggins, then you’ll be amazed how improved accuracy will increase your margins.
It’s no wonder Groundplan is fast becoming the most popular estimating tool on the block for carpenters.
It takes just a few simple steps to accurately estimate your carpentry job.
- Upload your PDF plan and set the scale. For instance: A3 @ 1:100.
- Name your ‘Stage’, it may be ‘Interior Walls’ for instance.
- Set your ceiling heights and you’re off. Whip around the plan and trace the walls as Groundplan begins calculating the measurements and the associated costs. You can choose whether the wall is double-sided or single-sided, so there’s no need to measure the same wall twice.
- Next, show Groundplan where the windows and doors are.
You can deep-dive into the detail, or simply measure the surface area of walls and count doors and windows, all the while Groundplan will be calculating your estimate.
“Now it’s all setup and templated, I can offload that work to an estimating team.”
Take estimating into your own hands
With the time it’s likely taking you to get those quotes out the door, it can be tempting to take the builders word for it. But the accuracy of their measurements will affect your margins.
There’s no point doing the job unless you have a solid idea of how much money you’re likely to make. Considering how quickly you can calculate measurements using Groundplan, you can just grab the plans and calculate the job for yourself.
Collaborating in the cloud
Groundplan works by simply logging into an app online, which means you can hire an external dedicated estimator, give them a login and watch as the estimate unfolds before your eyes.
At any stage you can login and watch the estimate taking shape, while you get some of that well-deserved time in the backyard with the kids on the trampoline.
Count points, square meterage or linear lengths
So here’s the scenario – A wall has a height, so first up, tell Groundplan what the height of your wall is. Trace around the walls and Groundplan will calculate the costs and the margins. No problem.
Normally a wall is not just a wall, right? What if we have to factor in a window or two? You can tell Groundplan what work is involved in each window, and then one click is all it takes for the magic to happen as Groundplan calculates the cost for each window.
That’s it!
Impress your clients
As they say, it’s a quick race to the bottom when you focus on undercutting the competition. Instead, place your focus on being better, and being accurate.
It’s hard to look professional when your estimates don’t portray the quality of work being delivered. Make sure your estimates look the part with all your branding in place, so your clients get the right impression from the outset.
Groundplan produces visually stunning and consistent, uniform estimates with all the detail the client needs.