Forget what you’ve ever known about estimating software for builders, forget any pre-conceptions about complexity and time-spent doing it…
History has just been rewritten. You see, we know there are times when you just want to be able to pull together an accurate quote LIGHTNING FAST.
The customer’s request is a standard extension but you don’t want to hazard a guess or give them a single A4 sheet. It doesn’t always win you the work. And if it does then it doesn’t always make you good money.
So how about a program that gives you an accurate quote for an extension (in detail – yes detail!) in FOUR MINUTES (and renovation work in less than four minutes)!?
Introducing QUICK QUOTE from HBXL, the producers of award-winning EstimatorXpress. A program that does what it says on the tin.
If you’re already sold then give the guys a call on 0117 916 7898 to have a chat, find out about any special introductory offers and to arrange a free test drive upon launch.
Or read on.
How to use QUICK QUOTE in four easy stages…
- Choose your project from nearly 60+ project templates with endless permutations of roofs, wall finishes, floors and internal fitting out.
- Tweak the dimensions
- Scroll down just ONE PAGE using drop-down listings as you go to select the relevant type of wall, roof etc - clicking here and altering dimensions there.
- Then press the button to produce the quote. Done.
The speed and simplicity is no exaggeration - as this four-minute video prove.
Note at 4 minutes and 20 seconds in, the amazing quote you can provide your customer with – giving them as much or as little detail as you like.
And here's an even shorter video showing a 2-minute renovation!
What is QUICK QUOTE suitable for?
All your typical jobs – standard new builds, extensions, garages and renovations – such as a double storey hip valley extension, apex house, double storey flat roof extension, single storey lean-to, apex gable roof single garage…
And if you have a particularly complex, one-off, non-standard project then you can use the conventional EstimatorXpress which allows you to put together an estimate from scratch – still drawing on the same clever calculators, making the whole job so much easier and accurate than any other type of estimating software.
We call it two-speed estimating.
What does the software literally do?
You give the software the dimensions and your specification preferences and the software will do the rest. Your own personal quantity surveyor stuffed inside your computer!
Our in-house software developers in consultation with experienced builders and up-to-date intelligence, have created calculators that work out every aspect of a build project. For instance, how many bricks are required in any given size of wall, what other materials will be needed to build the wall and how much will be needed, who will build the wall and how long they will take.
What does the estimate include?
Everything! It calculates the lot - your walls, floors, roof, finish, structural openings, doors, windows, internal cavity walls, plastering, decoration, wiring, plumbing, electrics, fitting out, drainage and services, external works, landscaping and subcontract quotations…
It will automatically work out wastage, inflation... the list goes on. You even get 80+ reports to help you every which way – from material lists for the merchant to schedules for the site manager.
But at the end of the day what price will win you the work?
The final figure from the QUICK QUOTE plug-in for EstimatorXpress consists of proven, accurate timescales, the latest material prices, the industry average rate for labour and so on, with nothing left out. The true cost.
It’s up to you of course what you do next. Will you reduce your price? Will you increase your margin?
In our experience, customers will actually pay more (or rather the accurate price) for a well presented quote that shows the reality in all its detail, and effectively implies that any lower cost might be the result of cutting corners or forgetting something important. Just saying…
We can point you in the direction of building firms who are proud of their prices and win the work on the strength of their accurate, professional-looking HBXL quotes. And have never looked back.
Is the software worth the price?
Well that’s for you to decide. But by our estimation (which we’re good at) if you produced just one quote a week, over a 12-month period your software purchase would cost you around £6 a quote plus however many minutes of your time. Of course, it would be even less if you quote more regularly. Surely it’s worth it to get the job off your desk quickly and in the hands of a customer, with a very real chance of winning the work? You could try out our ROI calculator here.
Then there’s the law of averages… the more you quote the better chance you have of winning the work.
Take it for a spin with our free test drive…
You need to get behind the wheel and experience the speed, the power and quality. First we’ll lend you our very own ‘Stig’. And it goes like this…
- They’ll have a chat with you over the phone
- Check that your computer is compatible
- Remotely install the software onto your computer (clever)
- Then take you for a spin, demonstrating a typical estimate, answering questions as you go
- When you’re comfortable you can go solo for 14 wonderful days trying it out on different projects – may be even winning work in that time! (You can test drive EstimatorXpress NOW and Quick Quote from mid-June.)
- And when you say YES I need this in my life (and why wouldn’t you?) money passes hands and the software becomes yours forever, with 12 months’ fantastic award-winning customer support and updates included.
So there you have it, the best thing we’ve invented since our take-off software… and that’s another story.
The Quick Quote plug-in is anticipated for launch in mid June.
Give the guys a call on 0117 916 7898 to have a chat, find out about any special introductory offers and to arrange your free test drive.
Introductory discount: Buy the Rapid Take Off Kit in June and get it for just £1,199 + VAT (normal price £1,499 + VAT) - saving £300!
The National Technology Awards HBXL shortlisting for Tech Company of the Year 2017
Up against Seedrs and Codeplay, HBXL Building Software is shortlisted for the Tech Company of the Year 2017 category.
HBXL Building Software provide a range of software solutions to enable building firms to quickly produce professional, transparent and accurate quotations, building plans, health & safety documents and building contracts. Ultimately improving business bottom line through innovation, in an industry not known for embracing technology.
Joanna Mulgrew, Group Operations Director said: “Naturally we’re delighted to be shortlisted and be recognised for the innovations our development team have delivered to help small to medium sized building companies run their businesses. We’re a family run business and we see our customers as an extension of the family. Customer happiness is at the core of everything we do. Every client receives complimentary Remote Access Training and access to top rated telephone support delivered by “Our Support Super Heroes” team”.
The National Technology Awards, hosted by FStech Magazine, are the showcase for the leaders of technology. The National Technology Awards were created to allow the technology sector to shine, celebrating the pioneers of new technology and to help drive standards and encourage excellence.
The winners will be determined by an independent judging panel and announced at The National Technology Awards Gala and Dinner on 17 May 2017 at the Millennium Hotel London Mayfair.
About the Awards:
The National Technology Awards represent the pinnacle of best practice, a fantastic gala dinner, entertainment and the chance to network with the industry’s finest. Bringing our experience together we have created the arena for all technologies, where the very best can be judged.
Find out more: nationaltechnologyawards.co.uk
Follow National Technology Awards on twitter @NTechAwards #NationalTechnologyAwards
HBXL serve a warning to all UK builders and developers – the HSE have raised their Fees For Intervention (FFI).
Some builders may hear that and deflect believing they are above board on all health and safety requirements. HBXL believe this assumption is ill advised given the HSE‘s aim to increase inspections and enforcement. In addition, the nature of infringements that the HSE deem require intervention may shock some.
What are Fees For Intervention (FFI)?
Not sure what Fees For Intervention (FFI) are? Simply put, they refer to the HSE attaching a monetary value to the time they spend addressing your health and safety issue. This includes identifying the material breach, helping you to put it right, investigating and taking enforcement action. This will comprise of time spent:
■ Carrying out visits (including all the time on site during which the material breach was identified);
■ Writing notifications of contravention, improvement or prohibition notices, and reports;
■ Taking statements; and
■ Getting specialist support for complex issues. This total amount of time will be multiplied by the FFI hourly rate to give you the amount you must pay. For the current FFI hourly rate, visit www.hse.gov.uk/fee-for-intervention/index.htm
Frequent causes for Intervention
Still believe that your building company are not at risk of unwanted HSE attention? Why not read some of the HSE Public Register of Enforcement Notices to see what kind of issues have been flagged, leading to penalties. Below are a selection of the top causes for the HSE to submit a notice.
- Failure to demonstrate Construction Phase Plan has been completed
- Lack of adequate hand washing facilities for either food prep, toilet sanitation or in order to use a cement mixer
- Lack of lighting to avoid trip hazards
- Demonstrating consideration of separation of pedestrians and vehicles
- A clear emergency exit route
- Unsanitary toilets
What is it going to cost me?
This is quite an open-ended question really. The straightforward answer is £129 per hour but it is wise to take note of the potential cumulative cost. Looking at the cases in the HSE Public Register of Enforcement Notices, fees can quickly mount up. This results in a higher total cost or fee. The average Fee For Intervention is £700!
This figure could get even worse when you consider the fact that an inspector is likely to be more vigilant when they realise you have failed in one area. For example, you may have muddy steps to the site cabin – a reason for intervention. This may lead to the investigator to be more thorough perhaps finding your fuse is blown on your hot water boiler in your cabin. Another intervention. Now he’s on a roll and likely to pick up anything that you may have let slip and look. Maybe you have not put a bin in the cabin. Guess what. It’s another intervention.
Three seemingly small, simple things that have built up to cause a hefty fine and your company’s name to feature on the HSE register. Lastly but importantly, featuring on the HSE register will likely mean anyone who searches for your company on the internet will find your notices before they find you! This is because the HSE website is likely to be better ranking than your own website on Google (if you have one). This could have a negative effect on your company image and therefore affect sales!
What can UK builders do to avoid Fees For Intervention (FFI)?
Did you start thinking that HSE fines did not worry you because you know you are safe on site? Now you may be thinking it is impossible to have every little thing covered and avoid a fine. Well HBXL are not just here to scare or worry you. We have a solution. A software solution.
Health & Safety Xpert is the answer to keeping up with health and safety requirements and avoiding HSE fees. Our software is the easiest and fastest way to ensure that you have everything in place to meet your health and safety requirements. Health & Safety Xpert automatically lines up all the paperwork and things UK builders would need to consider based on job specification. Then all you need to do is complete by filling in finer details and print off. It could not be simpler! Give us a call to find out more – 0117 9167898. Alternatively, drop us an email and we will get back to you.