McCormick Plumbing & Mechanical Estimating Software

The McCormick System was fairly easy to adapt to and begin estimations right out of the box. Their support was responsive and helpful. Trade based tutorials were not specific enough. There was no training manual available, only online tutorials and help videos. I have been awarded several contracts since the implementation of the McCormick System and applaud their efforts to continue to improve the software.

Pros

The software was very beneficial to my estimations.Support was always there. With the proper equipment in place, an estimator can perform a digital takeoff from the online drawings and create a proposal for the project

Cons

No manual available. Price intergration with Traser X is not accurate. Some items in database are irrelevant .

Pros

I think the software is easy to use and makes bidding a lot easier and faster saving time in the office bidding projects which allows more time for other tasks.

Cons

Very difficult to print out a detailed price for change orders. I can't delete items on a take off tab and need to enter them aa a negative. Whish there was a free site that linked up for keeping item costs.

Pros

Tec support
There is plenty of estimating software company's that can get the job done. We tried a few of them and they all glitch with new updates. The biggest difference is in the tec support! When windows updates and you are under the gun to get a proposal out, you will be in good hands knowing that the issue will be fixed in a timely manner.

Cons

Other then the upfront cost it is great. We started out with the 3000 and as we grew we increased to the 6000.

I would suggest setting aside at least a day or two for strictly learning this program if you have the time.

Pros

The program has a lot of functions and can decrease time to estimate a job or project. You can connect to your supply vendors for pricing.

Cons

Takes a little while to learn the program. Hard to train on the program when you are a small business and doing all of the work yourself. No time to really learn the program.

Pros

Lots of features included and integrated if you get the whole package. Estimating on soft copy is a breeze with design pro integration.

Cons

Basic package is sufficient and feature packed compared to other software, but way more expensive.
rather start with something cost efficient then buy the software when you grow.

The support is pat excellent, key that demo and sales rep are knowledgeable imdustry professionals who understand the “real world”. So they are great to work with!

Pros

Well laid out, 5 steps not a lot of redundant tasks and highly confogurable. I am able to group assemblies and redundant tasks, duplicate a common package and save different versions. The plan counting is super clean and easy to use. Saves tons of time.

Cons

Invest in this software wisely. Don’t over spend on seats if you are new to estimating. No cons, but be advised that you should look into a cloud system for deployment over thin client or Mac. Otherwise great software!

McCormick has allowed us to bid more projects since it takes less time to take off a project with DEP.

Pros

Since we have started using DEP to take off projects it has cut the time down on how long we take off a bid.
This also allows us to hand the project off to our Project managers so they can see how bid was taken off.
My Salesman and the entire support team.

Cons

I don't have to many issues with McCormick.
The only issue would be the search feature.
Adding notes to the drawings and not being able to point to what the note represents.

Pros

The flexibility and easy to work with. the features

Cons

Nothing

Pros

Product is seamless. The DEP feature is a hidden gem!! They stick with you to get problems solved and training is second to none.

Cons

Cost might be too high for the smallest contractors. Although there are limited packages available at lower rates.

Pros

The integration is good after the estimating is done. Linked with project managing software and accounting. The support is good too.

Cons

Some compatibility issue with our windows version, but might not be the problem of the software. We corrected it now.

Pros

It a complete estimating software with on screen takeoff integration. We really don't need anything else to finish our bids.

Cons

The printout layout can be a learning curve, but I guess it is true for any software the first time around.

I would steer clear of McCormick after using it for a year it has become a burden to use and very encumbering. We went back to pencil and paper until determining what to use.

Pros

Not much works without paying for premium package.
Even though they show you how to use their product using the premium package. They will say this is not available in your version, which makes no sense unless you are using the bait and switch routine.

Cons

We got the base package with the least amount of features. It will not work in 64 bit and you will have to down grade your systems in order to run it. Many security features will be disabled in your software by doing this. It is also very, very, very discomforting on clicking on a feature only to be met with "not available in your version, please contact....."
I cannot tell you how maddening it is to click on a feature and not be able to use it. It also will incorporate other third party programs such as Traser. Which works on occasion and there is always some work around that you have to implement in order to make it function. It is beyond usablity in its lower teirs, it will cost you more in time and energy to call tech support and get assistance.

Pros

The amount of time this saves from manual takeoff is astounding. Not to mention the accuracy. Pricing is connected to a national database that is updated often to ensure your estimate will be accurate. Customization is great too. If they do not have a fitting or a type of pipe (which I have yet to run into) you can add it yourself. customer support has been awesome for us as well.

Cons

There is a learning curve with this, but the great thing is they give you a good amount of training with the software at the time of purchase. Also, for the price we would like to be able to use it for more users.

Pros

It does almost everything. I would like to be able to delete from the audit trail in take off with even the basic version.

Cons

Seems like everytime i try to do something it tells me that this feature is not offered in my version. I think they are simple adds but it seems like everytime i turn around something is wanting more money for something. I understand its buisness and we all need to make money but the more money your able to help us make the more money we can spend with you on different things.

This is a fantastic program to complete bids, and just doing material take offs for projects. The customer support is outstanding and they help work through any question/issue in a timely manner.

Pros

There are so many pre-loaded assemblies, and items to use right away. The DEP allows the user to insert items where ever needed, using the proper symbols. Being able to change the take off material/manpower in the extend tab. Having the system save all projects, and being able to change between them easily.

Cons

It does take a lot of updating to maintain speed. There is a lot to know before feeling comfortable about a bid that has been taken off.

Pros

I like the ability to set up assemblies of different products to sail through different bids. I also really enjoy the On Screen Estimating Pro to be able to load bids into their system and just click and insert material.

Cons

Initially using extension and bid summary were hard to grasp the concept of, but through a little teaching it is a very handy tool

Customer support & tech support is great! I would highly recommend taking their training courses to help maximize the potential of the software.

Pros

We love the DEP on screen estimating. The ability to do a takeoff directly from the plans and have info entered into the audit trail has been a useful time saving feature.

Cons

When we initially installed the software, we had some software errors that required calls to technical support. These are happening much less frequently now.

Pros

the product is very user friendly and I would highly receommmend. makes the job a lot easier than others.

Cons

the product is quite pricey, but with the benefiets it provides and the support I see it as a well investment.

Good product so far!

Pros

The ability to streamline estimating and add efficiency to our processes. Having the program put our bids together instead of manually processing them is a huge help.

Cons

It took awhile to download, although that could be our internet! It took about 20 minutes to download.

The company is family owned, so you get quick, personal responses to any problems you might encounter. They have been in business since the late 1970's, so they are not strangers to the business. It's not like dealing with some huge, corporate, full of red tape company where the employees don't even know each other. Dealing with support or whatever department has always been a good experience.

Pros

Software learning curve is the easiest of the three major brands I have used. Takeoff speed is by far the fastest, which equates to being able to bid more work with fewer people. That is a huge money saver. Tech support is outstanding. This software is the best I have seen at running seamlessly on large networks, as well as stand alone computers. Plus, they offer less expensive programs to start out with, and then you can upgrade as you go.

Cons

Can't think of anything other than the cost (I'm cheap), but their cost is in line with the rest of the industry.