by J. Jerrald Hayes | Oct 25, 2019 | 360 Difference Software, Contracting 101, Estimating, FileMaker, Information Technology, Macintosh Software
I wrote a blog post over on the 360Differece.com website about my evolution with estimating and technology in the mid-1980s and 1990s that I thought I should share it here too. Introduction My interest in estimating actually developed long before I ever started my own...
by J. Jerrald Hayes | Oct 23, 2019 | Estimating
For years now in online forums like JLC Online and FaceBook groups I have been arguing about The Hidden Dangers of Square Foot Estimating saying things like… “There is no such thing as a good, fair, or accurate Square Foot Price for an estimate. At the...
by J. Jerrald Hayes | May 31, 2018 | 360 Difference Software, Books, Estimating, FileMaker, Labor Rates, Macintosh Software, Markup & Pricing
This is my own critical look at The ProRemodeler “The Big Reveal” Article which appeared in the May 2018 issue of ProRemodeler about contractor colleague Michael Anschel’s ideas regarding a new phrase we are hearing a lot of nowadays,...
by J. Jerrald Hayes | Sep 16, 2017 | Beyond Building & Remodeling, Books, Estimating, Management, Quotes & Inspiration, The Little Lessons
I am a huge “fan” of the work of psychologist and winner of the 2002 Nobel in economic science Daniel Kahneman and his book Thinking, Fast and Slow is arguably one of the most valuable books I have ever read. And for those that think 499 pages of...
by J. Jerrald Hayes | Jul 29, 2017 | Estimating, Marketing, Markup & Pricing
Apparently professional market research says 10% of buyers in any market will always go for the premium option and about 10% will always go for the cheapest option. That means at least 90% of the market does not use lowest price as their #1 buying criteria. Yet most...
Architects don't give away their blueprints. Diners don't fork out free meals. Personal Trainers don't sign over their intellectual property on spec. This vi...
by J. Jerrald Hayes | Nov 6, 2016 | Estimating, Humor, Rants
Whether to Charge for Estimates is often a touchy subject amongst contractors and while I am firmly in the “It Depends” camp for reasoning discussed elsewhere I think here is a lot of evidence for the charge case. Watch People in Other Industries React...
by J. Jerrald Hayes | Mar 18, 2015 | Estimating, Purchasing, Scheduling
Lots of good stuff in here, especially the integration of purchasing and estimating via a purchase order system (which I will add also helps make the estimating system self-maintaining). Want Higher Profit Margins? Check Your Schedule | Builder...
by J. Jerrald Hayes | Aug 6, 2014 | Estimating
New Jersey based remodeler, Neil Parsons, of Design Build Pros is a remodeler who I think has done a good job of figuring out how to really talk to homeowners in an engaging way . And it looks to me like he does a good job of using social media tools...
by J. Jerrald Hayes | Sep 13, 2011 | Estimating
My friends over at QuickEye, the new Plan Take-off tool for the Macintosh (and yes it works on Windows too but we’re all Mac Users here right?), have put together a bunch of videos to better aquaint building and remodeling company owners and/or lead estimators...
by J. Jerrald Hayes | Aug 8, 2011 | Estimating
Up until now Mac Users who wanted a take-off tool to work with drawings from plan rooms or work with drawing that came from anywhere for that matter found themselves left out in the cold and they had to devote a machine (virtual or otherwise) to run the Windows OS...
