Most popular features of all Construction apps
25 reviewers had the following to say about ProEst's features:
Pros
The software lets you link up with a payroll/scheduling software to give you an all-around control of your estimates directly on to your projects.
Cons
It is an activity database, you have to build your database first while you're doing your estimates, you'll reach full operational capability once you have a concise database of activities that will let you speed up the estimating process.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Other
Likelihood to recommend
We have only started learning the system but have so far been very impressed with the functionality, ease of use and product value.
Pros
Other pros include - Flexibility to edit almost everything; the large cache of report templates; the large database and pre-built assemblies; the built in digital takeoff; the bid day summary to use for sub-contractor bid tabulation
Cons
The preset costs are very generic (i.e. labor costs) - for large projects with heavy labor, this could throw off the labor estimate. In addition, the digital takeoff module, albeit very handy, is somewhat limited.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
This is an ideal product for small and medium sized construction companies. If you want a flexible program with a small learning curve, ProEst is right for you. Be prepared, however, to need to update the labor costs - i would suggest not relying on the preset amounts.
Pros
Ease of use Reporting Predefined database's to fit specific company needs Onscreen takeoff and estimating software in one Cloud or Desktop
Cons
No way to change database and have it reflect on templates without updating templates individually Training is not free
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
I was looking for a powerful software that we could use to build a system for our estimating process.
Pros
Ability to create a custom database and can be used to consistently produce quick estimates. I love the onscreen take off.
Cons
It takes a long time to set up the database, but this is to be expected with any software.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 6-12 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Pros
The best part about the software is the depth at which you can estimate especially with all the factors that you can take into account, whether you are using existing ones or custom ones.
Cons
Once you're familiarized with the tools and order of operations for the different tasks it becomes a very useful tool.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
I would strongly recommend scheduling a demo and comparing it with a couple of other products. I also encourage that you consider how to use the product in your office. In others words, how do you envision it being used.
Pros
I also like that the software is integrated with onscreen digital take off, and that it integrates directly to your estimate take off sheet all in the same software program.
Cons
You also have to pay for custom reports. In the long run the training pays off, and if the custom report saves you time and/or money than they pay off as well.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
Watch there videos online. Do a demonstration with them. Have them do a demonstration with the database that it comes with. You'll see how user-friendly it is and how much you can customize the database to your needs.
Pros
It makes drawing takeoffs simpler and allows multilayer markups on a single pdf, estimating and responding to RFPs is far less time consuming.
Cons
The user interface is cumbersome and has too many window pop ups.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 6-12 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
Test drive as many programs as you can before finally pulling the trigger on just one, there's a wide variety out there.
It takes quite a bit of time to get acclimated to it and in my opinion as a GC it makes a bit more sense as an estimating platform for a specialty building subcontractor who is self-performing all of their work...ie concrete, masonry, framing/drywall, etc. than it does for a GC but you can make it work.
I've have implemented this software in the residential home building industry. By estimating the budgets for newly designed product, it has literally saved the company hundreds of thousands of dollars.
I've really enjoyed getting to know the software and putting it to use for my every day estimating operations.
Pros
They have thought of everything. Every line item you can think of is included, and they can all be altered to align perfectly with your business. Customer service has been excellent as well.
Cons
You must receive training before being able to utilize all of the functions of the software. It can be rather difficult to use unless someone shows you first hand.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Pros
Prompt customer support - unfortunately, there wasn't much they could do about the poor operation of the software
Cons
I'm sure the Project Management integration is great, but we only needed the takeoff software, and it's been a huge letdown.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
Don't use it for Takeoff Software. If I was needing the other features I would definitely require a free trial period, as the glitches in the takeoff software are very frustrating.
We wanted an estimating software that would be for a general contractor and therefore not so detailed.
Pros
The software is easy to understand and it truly meets and exceeds all of our expectation when it came time to turn in a bid . We are a building and design firm, the range of the work we bid goes from electrical, plumbing, HVAC to complete turn key.
Cons
The issues we had over the years are the same issues we get with other software in our systems, updates sometimes fix one program but conflicts with others.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 2+ years
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
I believe software should conform to the way you do business and not the other way around, you should not have to change overnight everything it took years to learn, to have to conform to a format that doesn't reflect how we do our jobs, or made no sense from the industry point of view. Software should adapt to the approach and methods that have proven true time and time again for your organization, make the software learn from you. If your company is doing the transition from another system or "OLD SCHOOL" of ruler, pen, and pad. The program and its functionality should make sense to you, even if you never sat in from of a computer. It should follow the same approach you take in creating an estimate as if you were doing it with paper and pen. Look for a program with a reasonable learning curve, justifiable price, good technical support as well as the ability to grow and adapt to the unique way you conduct your business with all its needs and constant demands that new technology brings. Before using Proest, we try other programs that were truly hard to learn. This resulted in a new set of issues and challenges when it came time to hire a new person. It takes time to teach any system to a new employee. Proest solved all that for us by creating a database unique to our firm, a database that used the same approach and methodology that we can relate to, lowering the learning curve considerably. Good software should be intuitable, it should follow the same order and path you take to resolved and complete your task and get the job done fast and accurate.
Pros
Support is fast to reply to your requests and very friendly.
Cons
I had to start over on an estimate twice due to software glitches.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
Ask for a free 30-day trial and don't just rely on the training demos to make a decision.
It's unfortunate that they did not have a good experience but we really do not support Mac machines which were utilized by this client. A PC is really needed to best utilize ProEst and its functionality. If the client buys a PC we will gladly extend their service contract at no cost.
Pros
Ease of takeoffs and assemblies are plenty detailed RS Means cost data embedded in the program makes pricing/budget very easy Multiple ways to view information in reports Customer service
Cons
Install was a little tricky Missing a few assemblies I would like to have (minor issue) learning curve at the very beginning, but became very proficient after a few trial and error moments
Rating breakdown
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Pros
They are good at explaining the program or any issues that you might have.The program is easy to use and I have never used an estimating program before this one so I know if I picked up easily anyone can.
Cons
The assembly could use some reworking. There could be more assembly made as well.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 6-12 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
Give it a trial run, it's really easy to use and understand.
However, it eventually sunk in and now we are excited to have produced our first bid and looking forward to others.
Pros
The endless possibilities to produce what is needed. As I explore the product I expose new ways to obtain helpful information.
Cons
However, once an understanding of the product is grasped, the product becomes very helpful and decreases the time needed for an accurate bid.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
They are a rip off artist so avoid at all cost.
Pros
There is absolutely nothing we liked about this product or company except the sales pitch and presentation.
Cons
If you are an mep contractor this is not the software for you.
Rating breakdown
Time used: Less than 6 months
Frequency of use: Daily
Occasionally when trying to switch between estimates or screens I inadvertently will hit the close window button which closes the program.
Pros
The customer support is outstanding. Training was good.
Cons
Add features to allow the exporting of database to other software, so it can be manipulated.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 6-12 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
To test the software for a week is not enough time for software as complicated like this. Make a list of must haves and talk to the vendors.
Our suggestions for improvement are taken seriously.
Pros
It's easy to use and the customer support is really great. The Report Center was the draw to the software (and that it's cloud based).
Cons
The report center isn't quite what it's cracked up to be.
Rating breakdown
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Pros
The ease of use and ability to perform quick takeoffs has sped up the productivity and accuracy of our bids.
Cons
We are a Mac-based company and have been using this product via parallels on a Windows-based platform. Although we've requested they develop a Mac version, it doesn't sound like it's in their future. We will be heading in a new direction this year because running two operating systems simultaneously bogs our systems down too much and ProEst is the only reason we run Windows.
Rating breakdown
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
If you run Windows, this is a top-notch company and product. If you have a Mac and want to run this product via parallels, I hope you have a really good Mac.
Pros
Once I figured out how to easily put in bids and add-ons I figured out the rest.
Cons
A bit much to figure out. Wish it were simpler. How to add field extras and designating the responsible department was not originally clear.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 1-2 years
Frequency of use: Daily
Likelihood to recommend
Pros
Excellent customer service. In the rare events when we have questions or issues, customer service usually returns calls within 1 hour.
Cons
Unit prices are fairly reliable and based on RS Means data.
Rating breakdown
Time used: 6-12 months
Likelihood to recommend
Recommendations to others considering ProEst
Make sure it comes with good support. ProEst does, which is one reason we are happy with it.
