Almost every remodeler I've run into dislikes estimating, especially if it takes time away from the family to make some demanding tire-kicker happy. What's needed are some simple tools that will get you to a selling price you can live with — fast — and leave the detailed take-off for after you actually have the job. To that end, Synapse Software has released three stand-alone Excel-based estimators that will let you set up separate templates for the various kinds of jobs you do and then blast out an estimate in a couple of minutes by opening the “conformed” template in Excel and changing a few variables such as quantities, prospect name, and square footage.

Mini Estimate: This is a small-job estimator that allows you to quickly return a selling price for things like cabinet swap-outs and porch/deck work. You set up your various material, labor, subcontractor, equipment categories, and prices on one worksheet and add them to the proposal using drop-downs. $95 after a free 10-day trial.

Room Estimate: Similar to the Mini Estimate, but instead of organizing a project by category or phase, it will print out a room-by-room summary; great for interior specialists or restoration contractors. $145 after a free 10-day trial.

Quick Estimate: This estimator is geared toward new homes (using subs), but it would also work well for larger structural remodeling.

Click here to read full article from Replacement Contractor