Replies

1. 
   JLazaro317 | Sep 06, 2007 04:32am | #1

   bump ba da bump

   John

   J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

   Indianapolis, In.

    

2. 
   craigf | Sep 06, 2007 04:36pm | #2

   Yes, I have it. It tells you how to link together spreadsheets into an estimating program. Once you get the thing setup, it speeds up making an estimate.

   It's alot of work, but I liked it when it was done.

   I'm still clueless about estimating my time, but I am systematically clueless now.

1. 
   JLazaro317 | Sep 06, 2007 04:53pm | #3

   Thanks for the reply. I currently use an Excel spreadsheet, but I'm sure there is room for improvement.

   Thanks,John

   J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

   Indianapolis, In.

    

3. 
   BryanSayer | Sep 06, 2007 05:28pm | #4

   See if you can check it out from a library. I'm sure once you set up the spreadsheets, you won't need the book anymore.

1. 
   JLazaro317 | Sep 06, 2007 09:21pm | #7

   Brian,

   Good idea but I just checked online with the library and struck out.

    John

   J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

   Indianapolis, In.

    

4. 
   JerraldHayes | Sep 06, 2007 08:57pm | #5

   JLazaro317 - "I feel that I need to hone my estimating skills a bit and saw this book. Anybody read it and can offer any feedback."

   John while I think Jay P. Christofferson's Estimating With Microsoft® Excel, 2nd Edition is an excellent book about using Excel as a tool to do your estimating with it's not really about how to go about estimating construction and/or remodeling projects per se.

   I've got a couple of books that I've written about before that I think are better for understanding the estimating process and breakdown of a job into estimatable parts in the Estimating Book Recommendations page on one of my blogs.

   Still it all depends on just what you mean by "need to hone my estimating skills a bit". Were you referring to your computer skills or the actual estimating process?

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1. 
   JLazaro317 | Sep 06, 2007 09:18pm | #6

   "need to hone my estimating skills a bit".

   Jerrald,

   I'm not very adept with Excel and I'm sure there are things that get missed anyway. We've been in business since 1959 and done very well but I always believe that there is room for improvement. I feel if I can take suggestions or ideas from others and groom them to our business then the book would be worthwhile. My estimating spreadsheet is constantly growing and I want see what others are doing.

   Thanks,John

   J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

   Indianapolis, In.

    

1. 
   john7g | Sep 07, 2007 12:03am | #8

   One thing about learning Excel is having something to show you the way.  Once you learn the way everything else falls into place.  I've looked at premade spreadsheets for Excel and it seems that the only person that can work/understand them is the author.  Making your own is a good thing since you will know the path and method to your madness, making it easier to understand.  If it's within your budget, I'd say go for it.  You'll be able to use what you learn in a lot of different places afterwards. 

1. 
   JLazaro317 | Sep 07, 2007 12:34am | #9

   One thing about learning Excel is having something to show you the way

   Kind of what I was thinking. I just was looking for someone to say that it was a good book and worth the money or say another was better. I know there are alot of estimating programs out there but many favor Excel and creating spreadsheets. I currently use Excel but I know what I do can be made better. I used spreadsheets in college but I don't even remember what they were and that was a while back.John

   J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

   Indianapolis, In.

    

1. 
   john7g | Sep 07, 2007 12:54am | #10

   You know, it is a business expense and $36.00 doesn't seem all that expensive.  What's the worst that can from it?  Accidental education?  Unnecessary knowledge?

2. 
   JLazaro317 | Sep 07, 2007 01:12am | #11

   You know, it is a business expense and $36.00 doesn't seem all that expensive.  What's the worst that can from it?  Accidental education?  Unnecessary knowledge?

   $36 Paper weight

   :)John

   J.R. Lazaro Builders, Inc.

   Indianapolis, In.