Excellent Software and Very Excellent Support

Increased sales immediately, due to the professional reports Better software than expected. I have used other software for over 10 years and will never go back.

Pros

Very Professional Reports and Layouts. Very little that has not been taken into account. Great built in Database. Quick learning curve. Again, I have been completly amazed at the level of support. Support staff knows their software and quickly help solve the few issues that could come up.

Cons

No Complaints,

Very powerful software program in terms of simplicity and being customizable for different sectors

Ease of use

Pros

Prebuilt ML allows me to perform estimation tasks for my insulation company paperless and from any location. What I like best is I can set up each project in it's own folder, and always have access to it. Also, It eliminates the expense of copying or printing full-size blueprints. The cost savings in this alone is enormous, and helps increase net profit. Also, Prebuilt generates automatic quantity reports and piece counts based on product categories input by the end user. This eliminates the need to write notes on other paper and keep them organized and stored. The material reports can be exported to Excel or saved as PDF's. Also, I am able to make e-mailable crops and notes on the drawings should questions or discussion points arise. These items really add up to save time on any project, weather it's 3 or 300 sheets of drawings. Also, Prebuilt's customer support team has been an an incredible asset over the last few years. Customer rep and his team have always gone above and beyond in answering questions during setup and when an issue arises. I would call my computer skills better than average, however the layout of the software is such that anyone with beginning to intermediate skills can use Prebuilt without difficulty. Customers and contractors are always shocked when I show them this software for the first time. It makes a great sales tool as it generates exact quantities while eliminating the potential for human input errors.

Cons

Probably the single-most challenge in using Prebuilt is the need to input and scale each needed. sheet. This does take time, however it only needs to be done once. Once input, scales are automatically saved, and can be drawn on immediately. I find it goes pretty fast, and sometimes it helps identify measurement errors on especially hand drawn sheets. You can also add new sheets and delete new sheets as needed. Also, You can place un-needed sheets in a separate folder to reduce visual clutter in the file.

Use product to complete EWP Take-Off's and Design Layout drawings.

Pros

I like the ease of use to quickly complete a take-off. I also like how materials are linked. Making changes/revisions are fast and it updates easily and quickly. Finally, I like the preset selections for items like hangers/connectors based on products used.

Cons

The file sizes are too large (typically averaging 10MB and up) when only importing 3-4 PDF trace images.

Great software

Pros

I am an estimator, and I use this software all day, five days a week. I started using it when it was first released. When I started, I was taught by another estimator, and he taught me to do everything the way he does his takeoffs. By watching the different videos, attending the online demos, and talking with customer support, I have figured out completely different ways to complete my takeoffs. What has impressed me the most is that you can put as little effort into learning the software as you want to. If you just want a point and click software that will give you square footage, linear footage, etc., you can do that. But if you want to use it like we do - importing stocking lengths, preferences, notes, and layout colors, or creating customized templates for each lumber yard and builder we work with - you can do that, too. Customer service is great. I always get a response to my questions within the hour, and usually within a few minutes. Lastly, the thing I think is most important is that the software developers work hand-in-hand on a daily basis with framers and contractors. The software reflects that. It's easy enough to use that you can pick it up once a month and do fine. It's complex enough that you can use it every day and still find ways to cut down on time and increase accuracy.

Cons

One of the things that I like best about the software, its flexibility, is also one of the pitfalls. It can do so much that sometimes it feels a little overwhelming. Once you start looking under the hood (stocking lengths, preferences, etc.), you realize how much is actually there. Thankfully, you don't have to take advantage of all that stuff if you don't want to. You can always ignore it if you just want really simple takeoff software.

The New Side of Takeoff Software

Pros

I began using PrebuiltML when it was first released. The software was truly amazing and has become better than ever before in the months since its release. As a full-time construction takeoff producer, I could not be happier with the firepower that PrebuiltML puts in the hands of a producer. Something that I have really liked about PrebuiltML is that the software engineers are always talking with full-time takeoff producers. It's not a software company that does not know the industry of their product. There is always that practical approach to everything in regards to real world material takeoffs, which are sometimes complex and messy. Also, something that stands out above other takeoff software, is PrebuiltML's flexibility. There is a way to do nearly everything. Profiles can be set or imported/exported and stored for a certain builder/customer. Each month or so, there is a new release, typically with new features. You might be a full-time takeoff producer, dealing with hardware, siding, rebar, trim, insulation, drywall, roofing, etc, and PrebuiltML will do the job. If you do general SF/LF takeoffs from time to time, PrebuiltML is perfect for that as well. All in all, I am very pleased with PrebuiltML, and having used another big name Takeoff software out there previously before I began using PrebuiltML, I would not go back to the former.

Cons

I have not really found anything with the product or vendor that I didn't like.