How does Estimating Software Work?
- Material take-off
- Recap
- Proposal
Here is a very basic description how estimating software works.
Material take-off
Material take-off is counting or measuring materials needed to be installed for a job. Material take-off can be done either manually or on-screen using PlanSwift take-off software.
Manual Material take-off
You read the blueprints and make a list of materials that need to be installed. (Material take-off).
You input materials into Red Rhino.
Red Rhino displays material prices and labor (in minutes or hours) it takes to install those materials.
On-screen Material take-off - using PlanSwift (On-screen take-off software)
You can sign up for a 14 day free trial. (See Below - Does Red Rhino work with on-screen take-off software?)
- You download your plans to PlanSwift.
- Count and measure materials on the blueprints electronically using the RR Connector. (RR Connector communicates between Red Rhino and PlanSwift.)
- Export materials from PlanSwift to Red Rhino. (Using the RR Connector)
- Red Rhino displays material prices and labor (in minutes or hours) it takes to install those materials.
Recap
Total labor and material prices are displayed in the Recap.
In the Recap you set up your labor cost, set up your mark-up, add $ dollars for expenses, add $ dollars for quoted materials like switch gear packages, or light fixture packages, etc.
In Recap you do a labor and profit analysis of the project. The total price then exports to the Proposal.
Proposal
The purpose of a Proposal is to set your customers expectation exactly what your price incudes.
Red Rhino Proposal includes 3 main components:
- Inclusions – Explain what is included in your price.
- Exclusions – Explain what is excluded from your price.
- Qualifications – Explain more details about your pricing.
Red Rhino starts you out with pre-made templates for Inclusions, exclusions and qualifications.
BUT you can customize your own templates.
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