PrebuiltML

Ease of use

Puntos a favor

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.

Puntos en contra

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.

Puntos a favor

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.

Puntos en contra

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.

Consejos útiles

No software is perfect for every user. I would suggest watching some online demos, downloading the free trial, and playing for a little bit. If you don't see a feature you want/need, call customer support. With other companies, you might not get the help you need. You might not even get to talk to a real person. Prebuilt customer service is excellent. I have made contact with them several times, maybe even once a week for various reasons. Some of my questions are small (e.g., "Can you help me enter this new product so that I can draw a square footage and it will give me the correct piece count?"), and some of my questions are big ("I have a customer who needs #2 studs at 24" OC for all exterior and bearing walls and standard and better studs at 16" OC for all interior nonbearing walls. How do I do that?"). It doesn't matter; I get immediate answers every time. Customer service is probably the second most important part of software evaluation, but I think people forget to check that.