Replies

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Mar 23, 2004 04:57am | #1

   we use QB Pro.. but not for invoicing.. i do about the same volume you do..

   with maybe a hundred invoices in a year.. we do all of our invoices on nice bond with our colored logo on top..

   we do all of the invoices in Quattro Pro.. but Excel will work just fine too..

   once you have your template.. it is fairly easy.. and you can make it as detailed or as loose as you want

   Mike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   RdByker | Mar 23, 2004 06:41am | #2

   Thanks for the input Mike. I am inclined to think you may have the right formula. I had been using Xcel but thought the linking of all facets of our work might be better served by QB. I have just found it to be extremely cumbersome. But without using QB for invoicing how do you keep track of bills, subcontractor balances, supplier balances etc? I feel like I need a program that ties all of these things together to avoid repetitive entries but at the same time keeps it simple. I would appreciate any added input. Thanks again

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Mar 23, 2004 12:58pm | #3

   we do use QB.. and i could write an invoice from there if i wanted to..IE: we do job costing with QB...

   but for  the actual printed invoice we use a home built Quattro Pro templateMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

1. 
   RdByker | Mar 23, 2004 10:03pm | #5

   Mike,

   Thanks again. That would solve at least one of my complaints -- invoice appearance.

   Brad

1. 
   BobKovacs | Mar 23, 2004 11:08pm | #6

   Brad-

   I've managed multi-million dollar jobs using Excel for tracking budgets, change orders, invoices/applications for payment, etc.   The key is to set up a nice template for tracking your estimates vs actuals, and forms for change orders, invoices, etc.

   Quickbooks is an accounting program- not an estimating program (even though they claim it is).  If you start using QB for invoices, you need to put all the estimate info in first to really "track" it vs actuals.  I've always used QB just as an electronic checkbook, rather than as an estimating or tracking mechanism.

   Bob

2. 
   crosscutter1 | Mar 29, 2004 03:54am | #11

   yo mikie

   you are organizing the rhode fest correct ?

   i am new to all this stuff you guys sound like fun however i have noticed that most dont curse lol that is part of the trade agreeded ??lol

1. 
   xMikeSmith | Mar 29, 2004 04:05am | #12

   if you mean most don't curse in their sleep.... i 'd say you may be right..

   check out  the 3 Rhodefest threads in the Breaktime Fests areaMike Smith   Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore

2. 
   crosscutter1 | Mar 29, 2004 03:50am | #10

   seems to me all these programs will drive us all nuts lol some can do this while others cant and you dont know it till you get into the program !! some people are telling me about timberline i dont know where to start either !!

1. 
   RdByker | Mar 29, 2004 10:30pm | #13

   Crosscutter,

   I have downloaded one program from Turtlecreek and also gotten a demo disc from A-Systems. Haven't had time to play with them yet, but I'll give you feedback in the future.

   Brad

1. 
   JerraldHayes | Mar 29, 2004 11:10pm | #14

   Tejon are you working on a Mac? And if so what operating system? OS9 or OSX May I ask?

   View Image

   ParadigmProjects.com | Paradigm-360.com | Mac4Construction.com

2. 
   RdByker | Apr 04, 2004 09:39pm | #15

   Jerrald,

   Sorry, no. I am working on a PC.

   Brad

2. 
   Piffin | Mar 23, 2004 03:00pm | #4

   Ditto 

    

   Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!

2. 
   steelbuddha | Mar 24, 2004 02:31am | #7

   I decided to buy Goldenseal, from Turtle Creek Software. They're a construction company that wasn't satisfied with the accounting options available, and so spun off their own software company. It has estimating and accounting modules. Maybe worth a look instead of making a general business package work for your specific application.

   I agree -- rather build stuff than do accounting anytime.

1. 
   RdByker | Mar 24, 2004 11:58pm | #8

   Thanks guys. I'm with you. I'd rather pound nails than a keyboard!

   Brad

2. 
   mmoogie | Mar 25, 2004 02:43am | #9

   What do you think of the Turtle Creek product? Are you running Mac or PC?

   Steve