Replies

1. 
   AitchKay | Jan 26, 2008 06:08am | #1

   No clue here, but I really need to get up to speed with bookwork, estimates, etc on my computer. I've used Quicken a bit, but I'd like to see and hear about more options. I'll be watching your thread....

1. 
   cargin | Jan 26, 2008 10:46pm | #3

   AichKay

   We had a pretty good discussion at this thread a couple of months past. "How do you speed up estimating.

   Alot of different accounting and estimating methods mentioned.

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=96046.1

   Rich

1. 
   AitchKay | Jan 28, 2008 03:21am | #4

   Thanks, cargin,I've read about 1/4 of that thread-- good stuff. I've also copied some of the attachments and links into a new file that so I can revisit and mull things over more easily.I couldn't open a lot of it, unfortunately-- I've got an old coal-fired Mac. I want to upgrade soon, but Man, things are getting tight here in Mich. All it takes is one job and you're busy, though, so we'll see.There's a new Apple store about 3 miles from my house, and they've got this cool program: $99 gets you a year of basically unlimited personal support. I'm not sure how apps like Chief Architect are supported, but I know I'll be able to get up to speed on Excel, etc.Quite a learning curve-- I'd never touched any sort of keyboard before 2003. Just another old dog trying to learn some new tricks. Thanks for your help. H

1. 
   cargin | Jan 28, 2008 04:37am | #5

   AitchKay

   I did some research on the How to speed up estimating and here are some highlights.

   First 2 are pretty early in the thread and I didn't create shortcuts. As I started doing this I started copying to a Word doc. then then pasted the whole thing here.

   There are some real good attitude adjusters in this thread.

   If you can open Excel, it works best to have an blank sheet open then cut and paste the attachment to Excel, then it is easier to read and navigate through.

   It was good for me to read through some of that again. And since I am pretty familiar with it I could skim over some stuff.

   http://www.synapsesoftware.com/ Mike Smith

    

   http://www.turtlesoft.com True North

    

   After I read Michael Stone's book "Mark-up and Profit for Contractor's" I started marking up job costs(material and labour) 30 to 35%. I want to go higher now but am thinking of subs and material at 30% labour at 40%. Post by Silver

   here's my formula:<!----><!----><!---->

   labor + burden equals my  labor rate   (all direct costs associated with  labor )<!----><!---->

   (  permits + labor rate + matls + subs + rental equipment ) x 1.3 for OH<!----><!---->

   (  permits + labor rate + matls + subs + rental equipment ) x 1.2 for  PROFIT<!----><!---->

   using that... at the end of the year i've paid myself for 80 hours a week at the same rate as my highest carpenter  From post below by Mike Smith

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=96046.66

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=96046.73 Another good post by Mike Smith

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=96046.81 Good post by Silver

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=96046.88 Post by

   CraigF with link to estimating with Excel

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=96046.109 By Julian Trace about Goldenseal read posts before and after

   http://www.designconcepts.com/  Website from post at

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=96046.178 by BjR

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=96046.183 Post by Jerald Hayes

   http://forums.taunton.com/tp-breaktime/messages?msg=96046.186 another good post by Jerald

   http://www.xactware.com/news/release20001017.html Estimating software recommended by Cooper

   Rich

    

2. 
   Jay123 | Jan 26, 2008 09:26pm | #2

   Was it this? http://www.chsbuildersoftware.com/

   Here's a discussion about it on JCL:

   http://forums.jlconline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=40273&highlight=accounting+software

   Jay

3. 
   jonblakemore | Jan 28, 2008 05:48am | #6

   Could it be MYOB? Goldenseal, Peachtree, CHS are other options.

    

   Jon Blakemore

   RappahannockINC.com Fredericksburg, VA

1. 
   IMERC | Jan 29, 2008 04:51am | #7

   the way I read the post is it was gentler kinder did the same thing(s) as quickbooks....

   took up less space and didn't leave spybots behind... 

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!

2. 
   IMERC | Jan 29, 2008 04:51am | #8

   basically it was the other QB.... 

   Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming<!----><!----><!---->

   WOW!!! What a Ride!Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!