Fast Track Estimating Software

To learn more about how to estimate, read Michael's article, "The Basics in Estimating", and consider our class, "Profitable Estimating Training".

Receive a 20% discount on this software by purchasing the Fast Track Proposal Writer software or our Profitable Estimating Training class at the same time.

Support Related FAQ's are here.

Are demos available?
We don't offer a demo version, but you can view videos showing how the software works by clicking here.

Is Fast Track Estimating Mac-Compatible?
You'll need Parallels, a software program that allows you to operate Windows in a separate window on your Mac computer. And you'll need a current Windows operating system. Install Parallels first - then install Windows. Then you can install any of our software programs.

Are help files available?
Help files are available in the software. You can also review and download the help files here: Download Fast Track Estimating Software Help Files

How does Fast Track Estimating interact with Fast Track Proposal Writer?
After creating an estimate, simply open Fast Track Proposal Writer, select the estimate, and pull in all relevant Work-related contract language for that estimate.

This is how it works. Fast Track Proposal Writer compares the Paragraph Number it finds for each assembly in your estimate with the Paragraph Number in Fast Track Proposal Writer. If it finds a match, the language for that paragraph number is placed in the work section of the contract. You then use the "Edit" function in Fast Track Proposal Writer to provide the specific details for that contract.

What cost categories are used?
Fast Track Estimating identifies four cost categories - material, labor, sub-contractor quotes and other costs. Material cost is the sum of all materials used in that assembly. Labor cost is the product of the time required for that assembly multiplied by the labor rate for the type of work being done. Both sub-contractor quotes and other costs are fixed figure amounts.

How easy is it to add new materials or a new assembly?
Adding new materials or assemblies is extremely easy. The fastest method is by cloning an existing item and making the necessary changes. If you don't want to clone, it is quick and easy to add new items using a simple form.

How flexible are the labor rates?
The labor table has an unlimited number of labor categories available. If your labor category isn't listed, add it. If the labor rate shown doesn't match the rates you pay, change the labor rate. The labor cost in the assemblies using that labor rate is changed immediately.

How easy is it to create an estimate?
Simply select assembly items from a table. If you have a previous estimate that is similar, you can copy the previous estimate and make the pertinent changes. There are also a number of basic templates already included (and you can add more) that can be quickly added to any estimate.

How easy is it to change an estimate?
Estimate items can be added or deleted quickly. If you are estimating a job with unique costs, you can easily change the cost of any cost category for that one estimate only. This makes it easy to add sub-contractor quotes to an estimate. A separate markup table allows you to specify the markup for each of the four cost elements (material, labor, sub-contractor quotes and other costs). You can override the markup level for any assembly in an estimate if needed.

What reports are available?
A wide variety of reports are available in Fast Track Estimating. A sample of each report is shown below (reports open in a new window and are in pdf format, requiring the free Adobe Acrobat software to view)

Customer Reports
Price Detail, Sorted by Room Area
Price Summary, Sorted by Room Area
Price, Total with Quantity Detail, Sorted by Room Area
Price, Total Only, Sorted by Room Area
Price Detail, Sorted by Type of Work
Price Summary, Sorted by Type of Work
Price, Total with Quantity Detail, Sorted by Type of Work
Price, Total Only, Sorted by Type of Work

Estimate Reports
Full Cost and Price Detail
Cost Detail, Sorted by Room Area
Cost Summary, Sorted by Room Area
Cost Detail, Sorted by Type of Work
Cost Summary, Sorted by Type of Work
Cost Summary, Sorted by Type of Work with Totals

Material Reports
Detailed Material Purchase List, Sorted by Type of Work
Summary Material Purchase List, Sorted by Type of Work
Material Use Report, Sorted by Material Item

Labor Reports
Detailed Labor Report
Summary Labor Report

Do you offer cost updates?
Automatic updates, adjusted by a percentage to reflect different parts of the country (regional adjustments), may not represent the cost you pay for material at your local yard. For that reason, we believe the best material cost to have in your database is the cost you pay for materials.

Fast Track Estimating ships with most materials already in the database, with a cost for each material. We recommend reviewing the material list and updating the material costs to reflect the costs you see on your invoices. This can be done on a weekly basis, going through that week's invoices and updated costs as necessary.

Updating the purchase price for your materials is quick and easy, and is immediately reflected in the assemblies using that material. (But any existing estimates won't be updated until you choose to update them.) If you wish, blanket cost increases can also be made, i.e., increase the cost of all framing materials by a given percentage. Reports are available, allowing you to quickly eyeball the purchase price loaded for material by section.

Similarly, it is easy to update labor costs quickly to reflect your labor rates, and labor cost changes are reflected immediately in assemblies.

If I review an estimate created a year ago, will the price I presented to my client still be shown, or will it have changed because of material cost changes?
The price you saw a year ago will still be the price in the estimate. Estimates are not updated (regardless of changes to assembly, material or labor costs) until you request they be updated.

Updating costs is easy. In the Estimate screen, a "Update/Standard Costs" option will update all standard costs in an estimate to reflect current costs and labor rates. If a standard cost has been overridden (i.e., a sub-contractor quote was added for a specific line item) that cost will not be updated.

What programs are required on my computer?
Fast Track Estimating requires Windows 2000/XP or higher. All other components required will be installed if they aren't already on your computer. You don't need Microsoft Excel or Microsoft Access to operate Fast Track Estimating.

Kim replied on 08/15/12:

Hallleujah! I needed this-you're my savior.