Clear Estimates Remodeling Estimating Software

One of the nice things is to be able to see materials and labor calculated at the same time and see the mark up as well. Normally you have to do these things separately. These figures are generally on the money. Some one has put a lot of work into this program.

Pros

It's very thorough and professional looking. I'm still learning to use the program. I'm not the most computer savvy. so far I have not lost money with the estimates I have done.

Cons

Sometimes I have trouble finding the topics I need, or have to sort through a lot to find the one I need. I time hope to be faster at that part.

Its easy for my customers to understand

Pros

I changed from what I was using and will never go back. Great product and I would totally recommend it

I used this software when it first came out. Now it has come a long way on appearance and functionality. As far as learning a new software, the curve was easy for me. If you are a small contractor this is a must for speed of quoting and accuracy. Also with the reports function you look as professional as the big guys. If you want to step up your company, get Clear Estimates!!!

Pros

Easy to learn. Professional looking reports. The ease of updates prices for material and labor. Customer support is spot on. And the software was created by remodelers that understand the struggle. They are always striving to make the software better.

Cons

Some minor software updates could be done. A mobile version could also help a lot more small business.

Advice to Others

Well worth the money. It will pay for it self with 1-2 jobs.

I do not like the estimating side of my business cause I am bad at it and I tend to be optimistic which causes me to short myself in the long run. I started using this product to help me with the process to get estimates out faster and to know I am giving a good estimate that doesn't short me. It has helped me in that aspect for sure. The customer service is superb. There is this little icon u click and send them a msg with your questions and they get back to you in a timely fashion. The nice thing is the msg comes back in the program and they also send me an email. So if I am in the field working I know they have responded with an answer when I get the email. I love how you can email the estimate right from clear estimates and the estimate looks very professional. You can customize the formal estimate to how ever you like. Also if you don't like the prices they give you, you can easily adjust them for that estimate per item. Or you can customize that item to show up every time with your adjustment in price on every estimate. The customization to the items and pricing is endless. I have had to add very few new items they have so much to chose from already. The program is easy to use. I could teach my 11 year old to use it if I needed to. I have had nothing but great success using there program. They also give u a free trial to use it first. Take the free trial and try it you won't be dispointed. I am surprised this program does not cost more. I have made up for its cost monthly in the more money I am making due to its estimates. Thank you clearestimates.

Pros

Easy of use, price, use on any device, customer support, the quarterly updates for pricing, and formal look of the estimates, and being able to email the directly from clearestimates to my customers.

Cons

Does not import directly in to quickbooks online. If it did that it would be perfect for me. I prefer using quickbooks online so I can use the program from any where like clearestimates.

Advice to Others

Keep up the great work and customer service I appreciate it. It has made my business more profitable.

I run a small construction company with the estimating program it makes my business look very professional. The proposal print out at the end of the bidding process is very detailed oriented which the customers love. I like everything about it. Quick, easy to work with and very professional.

Pros

It's easy to use.

Cons

Have to add parts on my own for certain jobs this program does not incorporate

I Love the products features and flexibility. I used to leave "money on the table". Now my bids are market accurate. My profitability has never been better. Hope to continue winning business with Clear Estimates.

Pros

Accurate market pricing of labor and materials on a regional and national basis.

Cons

Report layout customization could be a bit more flexible .

I've been trying to find some software that would help streamline my estimating as well as have a database to pull from. I had Clear Estimates recommended to me and I can't be happier with what I've found. In the first week I've created several estimates and emailed them out to my clients. The report that is created for the clients is easy to understand and read.
Very satisfied.

This is the second time for me using Clear Estimates. After not using the program for a couple of years, I was surprised at the updates made, that made it easier and faster to develop my estimates, and the fact that the cost for the program had remained the same. The support and the new videos are fantastic. I have recommended it to several of my friends, who are also contractors. The nice thing is, the more you use it the faster and easier it gets. I do a lot of the same kind of jobs, and now all I need to do is copy an old estimate when doing a new one. I can see what I estimated on the old one that was high or low and make adjustments and if needed, add or subtract items as needed. This is really made easy with this program, and keeps my estimates more consistent. The Proposal and contract part of the program is great and can be customized with little time and effort. I highly recommend this program over the 3 others I have used. None were this complete or easy to use for the cost.

Pros

Easy to use, and cost.

Cons

I do Wish it had more small Home Improvement cost items.

Advice to Others

Watch the videos, they have a lot of short-cuts in them that will save you time.

We were looking for a software package that would enable us to bid on larger, more substantial construction projects. We also needed to be able to customize the pricing and other options available for each customer. Clear Estimates met our specific needs and is easy to use.

Pros

Flexible easy to use.

Cons

Similar project parts - difficult to tell difference.

I use Clear estimates for all my bids and find it is extremely helpful in saving time on my bids. Not only can I use the pricing built in to the software, but if I have something a bit more custom I need to price, I can customize as needed. Whenever I've had questions, they've always been quick to respond and very helpful in bringing me up to speed.

Pros

ease of accessibility from any device

Cons

limited descriptions of work or material items (parts)

Advice to Others

go through the tutorials, they'll save you a lot of time wondering what to do or how to accomplish it.

This software is the best I've found for my home remodeling business. The price is fair for what it does. I don't use the pre-populated labor prices. I think every business applies a price they think is right. There are some things you don't have the ability to edit however. For example, the font of text isn't adjustable. Also, the title of the proposal isn't adjustable. I'm sticking with this program because it is the best I have found and hope they improve it in the future.

Clear Estimates is intuitive and easy to use. It is designed in the same logical order than one would use to build a home. I love the reports and the quotes I can generate because they are highly professional.

Overall I couldn't be happier with the tools and software, for the price they can't be beat.

Pros

Ease of use and intuitive

Cons

Some times the prices and text need to be altered to fit a particular project. The tools for doing customization could be easier.

Advice to Others

It would be great if it included a drafting tool so that you can shape a room with dimensions and then use that as the baseline for estimates--already having the linear and square footage would help me from having to add it over and over again.

Clear Estimates has helped my company write many estimates with ease. A simple drop down menu brings up categories and itemized lists of many things we never considered billing individually for. This has made our proposals look more professional, and has helped close a good amount of projects. I would highly recommend Clear Estimates to anyone looking for a simplified, more professional way to write proposals.

Pros

Easy to use drop down menus.
Itemized job descriptions.

Cons

Would love to see a better way to calculate payments, and send paid in full receipts to customers.

My company is an estimating service whose clients are contractors, home inspectors and homeowners. We do home remodeling and repair estimates that they use to price and figure out costs on their projects. Clear Estimates covers a vast majority of the home remodeling estimating industry with acurate and reliable published costs. The software also makes it easy for you to add your own figures in any format or in any catagory.

One of my favorite components of Clear Estimates which is crucial for my business is that you can adjust your material and labor costs to any part of the country quickly and easily. I would highly recommend Clear Estimates for anyone in the home remodeling industry.

I have been using Clear Estimates for about 6 months now. It is a very easy to use program to make professional proposals. I have found that I make better profit on jobs and it cut the time of putting estimates together in half! The items are very organized so you don't forget about the small details when putting a large estimate together.

I've been using "CLEAR ESTIMATES" for about 6 months. I put very little time into learning how to use this software, (I basically jumped right in) and the estimates get done flawlessly. If I have a question I go to the tutorial videos and they walk me right thru it, and if there's a question I can't find an answer to. (Hasn't happened yet) I can press the question mark at the bottom of the page and there's someone from "Clear Estimates" there to answer. They did quite a job building this software and putting all the videos and webinars together. I should also add, the videos and webinars are free. I started out using a different estimating software, from a well known company. It was a huge headache. There was zero support, No training videos, just a class that was available once every 6 months for $500. They can't hold a candle to "Clear Estimates" last estimating software you'll ever need.

Pros

Professional looking, easy to use. VERY EFFECTIVE

Advice to Others

Don't waste time with other software. Get "Clear estimates" you won't be disappointed.

Software is user friendly and has a real common sense approach. Been using over a year have found nothing better for the price. Very Satisfied.

Pros

Drop downs for category of repairs follow normal order of work to be done.
Helps to no forget anything. Good function for the cost.

Cons

A tie in with Home Depot or Lowes for materials would be excellent ;)

Advice to Others

Additional reporting outputs would be great.

I am a long time user and have been using Clear Estimates since the first revision. I am very happy with the updates, modifications made over the years. Customer support is the best of any SW company I have ever done business with!

Pros

Ease of use, able to put estimate together in a modular form. Jack in customer support.

Cons

I would like to better control the boiler plate items.

Advice to Others

Take it slow at first.

I have used the software and do appreciate the way it does the calculation. There are some areas that could use improving. Most of my estimating is for outdoor structures and may be it is me but it is hard to find a set of items that I use in my work. We do structures for outside like water features, fire features, Pergolas... It may be because i do not know where to look to find these items. I know I can construct my own I just do not have the time. I have also found that the prices our a tad high for my region even though I use a local area for cost estimating. If it is possible for there to be an area for the above items to be added would be greatly appreciated. Enjoy using the software.

Pros

Help out a good bit in my estimating . Like how items are arranged in there categories. I need to attend a call to help me set up some of the line items listed above. Love how the customer support is always there to help!!!! Love the way that allows you to go in and change/manipulate the results.

Cons

Could have categories in other areas. What I do not like about the software has it benefits as well . When you input the customer info it draws on past results which is awesome but at the same time it can be a issue. Not that much of a bigge

I was a little skeptical about switching to a new estimating software program but I am glad I did. This software is everything a contractor could every want and everyone needs.

Pros

The best things about this software is the quick learning curve, faster estimating, and detail estimates for you and your customers. The monthly fee is well worth the value and more for this software.

Cons

I wish this software could sync between other software systems but there are ways to work around that.

Advice to Others

By using Clear Estimates your estimating details and organization will amaze your clients and help you stay on top of every aspect of the job to charge for.