Do you ever feel like you’re wasting time? Even if you’re meeting your targets, do you wonder whether there is a better way? Thousands of building firms have found a way to spend less time estimating, win more work, stick to deadlines and budget and all with considerably less effort. How? By embracing a software solution. Read on to discover how HBXL’s Productivity Bundle could help your building firm improve construction productivity and return a higher profit.
Building software to manage every stage of your project efficiently
All HBXL products are integrated for a complete end-to-end experience and designed with ease of use in mind. Start with plans and share the information across the range to produce everything you need to run a project from start to finish effectively. Let us take you through the steps.
One, draft an architect quality building plan effortlessly in PlansXpress using simple drag and drop tools. No CAD knowledge needed! (Or if you have been given plans from your client, simply scan and trace them to make alterations and capture essential construction information such as dimensions and specification).
Two, using these details imported directly into EstimatorXpress, the software does an almost instant take-off of the plan, producing a 100% accurate estimate of your build costs as well as many handy documents to help you run your project more efficiently and impress your customer. Including Gantt chart, schedules of works (JIT labour, plant and materials), cashflow forecasts, stage payments and a customer quote – all produced automatically off the back of your estimate. Just print!
Three, import your estimate into Health & Safety Xpert and it will use your job specifications to automatically generate all the required health and safety documents you need including Risk Assessments, Construction Phase Plans, site checklists and audits to ensure that you meet required HSE compliance including CDM 2015 and CHAS.
Four, import your estimate into ContractsXpert and it will use your estimate details to directly prepare a watertight customer building contract and ensure you meet Doorstep Selling regulations, as well as properly contracting with your subcontractors.
Five, use ProjectXpert to ensure you run the most productive construction project possible. Plus, manage multiple, simultaneous jobs and keep track of how your whole year is panning out at any point, not just at the end! If you’re thinking you don’t normally have more than one job at once, then you really need to try the software. You don’t know what you’re missing out on!
Too much to talk about!
The Productivity Bundle has so many features that will help you run a more effective, efficient and ultimately profitable business that there is no way we could fit it all in this short article so give us a call on 0117 9167898 to see what it can do for your business.
At HBXL we are committed to regular development to make sure our users have the best and latest construction software on the market. Read on to find out what our latest construction software developments are and when you can get your hands on them…
EstimatorXpress Spring update
To most, it will only feel like the beginning of the year but at HBXL we are already working on an update for our recent EstimatorXpress 2017 launch! The new improvements come from our Business Support Manager working in tandem with a long time user and supporter of HBXL, Lee Goodwin of Oakleafe Property Services. Lee focuses mostly on renovations and insurance work (at quite a scale of operation) so is the perfect building firm to work with on enhancements to this area of EstimatorXpress .
We think that listening to our users’ suggestions and ideas is an essential part of our development process and we are sure this plays a huge part in why our software is so well received by builders, developers and judging panels alike. Below I have outlined the first wave of improvements stemming from our work with Lee and there’s more to come!
Internal property protection workbooks
These are all about calculating the costs of safeguarding the existing property whilst internal works take place. For example, zip walls and floor protection to prevent dust and dirt of the site and materials from damaging the existing property the builder is working in.
Replacement floor covering workbooks
We have all new replacement floor covering workbooks including assorted new ceramic tile, porcelain tile and stone floor systems as well as engineered wood flooring and floating floors.
ProjectXpert Spring update
Following on from the success of the ribbon feature addition into EstimatorXpress and PlansXpress, we have added a new ribbon feature to ProjectXpert! This new feature allows for easier and faster navigation as well as the improved benefit of a similar user experience across the software range.
Health & Safety Xpert update
Coming soon to Health & Safety Xpert is a new record for Hand Arm Vibration exposure (HAVS). This addition is to work in collaboration with our recent Hand Arm Vibration Risk Assessment that was part of our latest health and safety software update. The new form helps builders and developers keep track of the time spent using hand held power tools to help them ensure that no staff exceed the daily limit as noted in the RA.
As usual all Health & Safety Xpert updates come with a general review of all the regulations to make sure all our builders are following the most recent requirements.
Keep up to date or get left behind!
At HBXL we firmly believe that if you aren’t up to date then you’re behind. Whether this is in relation to software developments or staying on top of latest regulation changes, the costs of falling behind can be severe. Give us a call on 0117 9167892 to make sure you’re software is up to date.
EstimatorXpress 2017 Enterprise edition provides a range of essential collaboration tools for estimating departments. The powerful Manager & Collaborator feature set, synchronises company “settings” to ensure everyone in the team is using latest Price Books, Specifications, Quote templates, Custom Workbooks (Estimating calculators) and more…It also allows estimators to save their work to either Server or the Cloud from where other team members can locate an estimate and collaborate on it before saving it back to the same location.
Ensure everyone in the estimating team is using the same company data
EstimatorXpress 2017 Enterprise edition comes with smart Manager/Collaborator tools.
The “Manager” licence synchronises settings with the “Collaborator” licences to ensure all estimators are working with the same data:
- Price Book (prices and who your suppliers/contractors are)
- Typical specifications
- Report styles
- Company quote templates
- Custom workbooks (estimating calculators)
“Collaborators” save their estimates to the Cloud or Server so that they are backed up and secure. Furthermore other team members can be invited to contribute to the estimate. Don’t worry, if an estimator has the file already open, another can’t open it, which avoids the unnecessary hassle of version control.
This easy accessibility to estimates, simplifies a managers difficulties with holidays and time off as jobs can easily be picked up by anyone in the team.
How much does EstimatorXpress 2017 Enterprise edition cost?
The primary computer; the “Manager” is £1,699+VAT for EstimatorXpress 2017 Enterprise edition.
For each of the “collaborators” you will need an EstimatorXpress 2017 Enterprise LIVE additional licence who will be working on different computers. These are priced £349+VAT each.
And finally there is a small monthly subscription fee of £9.99+VAT per user/per month.
Do call us to discuss your options on 0117 9167898 and we can best advise on the package you need.
What can it do?
| Software features & types of work you can estimate | Enterprise Edition |
|---|---|
| £1,699+ LIVE Additional user licences @ £349 & £9.99+VAT per month | |
| Extensions | • |
| New Buildings | • |
| Apartments & Flats | • |
| Loft Conversions | • |
| Renovations (internal & external) | • |
| Maintenance & Alterations | • |
| Groundworks (foundations, footings, slabs, paving, driveways) | • |
| Walling (internal & external inc brick & block, timber frame, partition, stone, rendered) | • |
| Roofing inc dormers and roof windows | • |
| Windows & doors, (internal & external), Conservatories | • |
| Structural openings | • |
| Basic domestic electrics | • |
| Plastering | • |
| Painting & decorating | • |
| Kitchens and bathrooms | • |
| Basic Landscaping | • |
| Subcontract Quotations | • |
| Basic domestic plumbing & heating | • |
| Advanced plumbing & heating | • |
| New Build Basements & Retaining Walls | • |
| Office Refits | • |
| Shop Fitting | • |
| SIPS & ICF Walls | • |
| Creates professional quotes, covering letters and t&c’s | • |
| Automatic production of 80+ professional reports (cost reports & tasklists, materials order schedules, cashflow and profit analysis) | • |
| Live material price link to Jewson, Travis Perkins, Graham, Keyline, TradePoint and more | • |
| Job Management, Gantt charts and labour schedules | • |
| Variations and amendments tools | • |
| Import & export into and out of MS Excel and Word | • |
| My Projects to combine& manage multiple jobs | • |
| PowerPack Advanced tool to create own EstimatorXpress estimating calculators | • |
| Stage Payments Generation Tool | • |
| Invoice Generation Tools | • |
| Manager/Collaborator Toolset | • |
Give us a call
If you want to know more about how the server/cloud connection and manager collaboration features can help your business give us a call on 0117 9167898 and we can talk you through the advantages specific to you and your company.
At HBXL we pride ourselves on providing the best quality Support from the moment you begin speaking with us which is why we’re very pleased to have received an award for Excellence in Customer Service. Read on to find out more about the award, how our Support separates us from the competition and the most recent results of our regular Support Team survey…
Softech Award for Excellence in Customer Service UK 2016
Softech are a tech publication read by over 43,000 software industry personnel. They have carefully scrutinised HBXL over the past 12 months, and rigorously compared us to our competitors to discover that we are worthy of an award for excellence in customer service!
Recognition like this and the positive responses of our users, makes all the work worthwhile. Our Support Team tirelessly strive to help ensure every user of any IT capability is able to get the most out of the software. Whether it is providing a helpful, friendly voice 9-5 every working day, walk-through videos, remote login or one of the many other resources we provide, we’re always happy to help. Having looked at our competitors we know the level of support we provide is another thing that makes HBXL Building Software stand out from the rest as no one else offers the level of assistance and the commitment we do on a daily basis. This is why we are extra happy to have received this Support service award!
Support Service results
Since we began asking for feedback on every Support query, we have consistently been rated above 9/10 for customer satisfaction. It is nice to be able to back up our customer satisfaction results with a customer service award to really demonstrate the level of Support we provide. But we’re not going to let it get to our heads! Take a look at our recent support results.
Support Service testimonials
Another way to work out whether our award winning Support service really cuts the mustard is by reading what some of our users have said about us. All of the statements below are from real builders responding to a short questionnaire after their Support query has been dealt with. We of course wouldn’t want users to feel pressure to respond positively so some have chosen to remain anonymous.
It’s a service I would not like to be without. Time is money for me & speed of response keeps me earning. Andrew Johns. AJ Design
I have been using the software for many years now and I know for a fact that you won’t get a better support service from any of the similar branded estimating software companies, as keenly priced and as helpful as the staff at HBXL. They are patient and do there upmost best at all times to help. After all said and done, this software is aimed at people in the building industry and they understand we’re not all computer programmers!!! Keep up the good service HBXL. Neil Kenah, Millbrook Building Solutions Ltd
Excellent customer service…akin to John Lewis! Steve Wright
Gentleman was very polite and talked through everything they were doing in simple terms so that I could understand as I’m no tech expert and didn’t feel patronised.
Very professional and polite. Thank You 10/10.
Give us a call!
If you have any issue, big or small, don’t hesitate to give us a call! We’re always happy to help. The Support line is 0117 916 7899. If want to make the most of our award winning Support service and you need to get your Support & Updates back in line, give us a call on 0117 916 7892 or if you need to talk about purchasing any of our software call us on 0117 9167898. We look forward to hearing from you!
EstimatorXpress is the multi award winning construction cost calculating software with more than just powerful, accurate estimating built in. The software is packed full of features to help builders manage profitable building projects, save time and win more work. Having produced comfortably over 500,000 estimates and used by over 12,000 builders and developers nationwide, we think it is safe to say the software has been well and truly Tried & Tested! Read on to hear why the ‘best estimation software 2016’ is recommended by 94% of our customers and how to get our new 30 day free trial…
The fastest, most accurate construction calculator – Try it free!
If you’re looking for a faster way to produce accurate and professional estimates then EstimatorXpress is your guy! The software has hundreds of in-built estimating calculators that take you through step by step, on-screen drawings with areas to input dimensions and simple yes/no questions. The construction calculators then costs and itemises the work for you in a matter of minutes. PLUS, we have now added an extra estimating navigation ribbon and a new ‘fast-track’ Estimating Wizard to further increase time saved. In our last survey (before these speed additions) the average builder saved 468 hours estimating time each year!
Calculate for all types of domestic construction projects and combine scopes.
EstimatorXpress makes light work of complex projects and is perfect for a whole range of domestic construction projects whilst remaining straightforward. The software has been designed by builders, for builders so it has intelligent construction knowledge built in but also retains a user friendly experience to make it accessible to IT novices. You can use EstimatorXpress to estimate new builds, extensions, loft conversions, renovations and more with over 350 construction calculators designed specifically for purpose.
EstimatorXpress – part of the award winning HBXL family
HBXL Building Software is a family business with MD and Father Adrian Wild at the top working alongside brothers, sons, daughters, nieces, nephews and in-laws throughout the years. This family ethic is brought right through our company and even into our software! The whole of HBXL’s range is related and connected allowing users to quickly and easily import files to save even more time estimating or producing other construction docs. Follow this link to see how they all link together for a fast, accurate and professional end-to-end experience.
Family doesn’t end there with HBXL. We extend our affections out to all our builder users with our award winning Support Team and wide range of training and resources to help make sure every user gets the most out of their software.
Join the family!
We’re a big family but there’s always room for more! We like making it easy for builders and developers (which is why we created the software!) but we also make it easy to see it. Give us a call on 0117 9167898 to get a free 30 day trial of all our software – no credit card details required! Plus, we’ll set up a live demonstration to run you through it and get you on your way. Give it a try today!