Construction Chat was started May 8, 2014, to build community among the construction-inclined.
This weekly chat is hosted by Riggins Construction Thursday mornings at 9:00 a.m. Pacific Time. We’d love you to join us, if you’re free next week.
(I put a reminder in my calendar. Otherwise, even I would forget.)
This week’s topic:
Today we discussed job costing and computer software. Admittedly, it’s a more narrow topic, so I will include some of my answers in the recap. Live and learn, right?
Thanks for the suggestion from Amy Good of Lancaster County Timber Frames, Inc. We were sorry she couldn’t make the chat.
A6 Computer software and job costing. Can you do it on your software or must you export? #constchat
— Amy Good (@Splintergirl) May 29, 2014
Below are the questions, as asked, and some highlighted answers. Some weeks there are so many great answers, it’s hard not to include them. I apologize for the length in advance. The purpose of the recap is to give you, the reader, some insight.
Here’s the Vine I tweeted for a little bit of fun.
Welcome to #ConstChat vine! https://t.co/fuPdWPBE0T
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) June 12, 2014
Q1: Is your office environment Mac, PC, or mixed?
A1. Our offices are mixed, but we use a lot of Macs. #Constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) June 12, 2014
http://twitter.com/Tylerpipetx/status/477120523059859456
A1. We use PC's, but I wish we were a #Mac shop. Mac is better for art. :o) #ConstChat #construction
— Liftec Forklifts (@LiftecForklifts) June 12, 2014
A1. We're 100% Mac here. Even our architect uses a Mac for AutoCad. Accounting is also on Mac. #ConstChat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) June 12, 2014
Q2: Do you use the same software for bidding and accounting?
A2. For us, we use CMIS by ECL Software. We do estimating and accounting in the same program. #ConstChat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) June 12, 2014
as a manufacturer we don't do bidding we only Track jobs through @ReedConstrData #ConstChat
— Tylerpipetx (@Tylerpipetx) June 12, 2014
A2. We use the same platform (Win), but different app's for #bidding and #accounting #ConstChat
— Liftec Forklifts (@LiftecForklifts) June 12, 2014
Q3: What program(s) do you use for bidding and/or accounting?
A3. I believe QuickBooks for accounting. Someone helps out with that, outside the office. #Constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) June 12, 2014
A3. For us, we use CMIS by ECL Software for estimating and accounting with Quicken as a backup. #ConstChat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) June 12, 2014
Q4: Are any of your programs (accounting/estimating) mobile-friendly?
A4. Our program is based on FileMaker, which has an app. We're hoping the upgrade will be mobile friendly. #ConstChat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) June 12, 2014
A4. None of the app’s are particularly mobile-friendly, but they are usable. Probably should upgrade/enhance #ConstChat
— Liftec Forklifts (@LiftecForklifts) June 12, 2014
A4. We're heavily mobile because we're all out in the field a lot at job sites. #Constchat
— Window Works CA (@WindowWorksCA) June 12, 2014
Q5: Can you incorporate project photos in your management software?
A5. I think it would be bitchen if we could incorporate project photos into our database. For now in iPhoto. #ConstChat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) June 12, 2014
We incorporate Jobsite photos in or tracking software for folks in the field. #ConstChat
— Tylerpipetx (@Tylerpipetx) June 12, 2014
Q6: Do you send photos (digital or paper) with invoice?
A6 No, but that is an awesome good idea. M/T Q6: Do you send photos (digital or paper) with invoice? #ConstChat
— Liftec Forklifts (@LiftecForklifts) June 12, 2014
It is helpful, @LiftecForklifts. We send photos for roof maintenance. But include flash drives of photos with op manual. #ConstChat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) June 12, 2014
I've had an idea for a phone app for sometime that would allow field people to snap photos of installations among other things. #ConstChat
— Tylerpipetx (@Tylerpipetx) June 12, 2014
Q7: Does your software help with job costing?
A7. We have to account job-related invoices to the job and cost code. It's how it's structured. Forced Job Costing. #ConstChat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) June 12, 2014
Q8: Do you change bidding behavior because of results of job costing?
A8. If you don't analyze the end of the job (autopsy) you'll be liable to repeat any mistakes in bidding/running project. #ConstChat
— Riggins Construction (@RigginsConst) June 12, 2014
@RigginsConst A8. We may change a bid, but not necessarily our overall bidding process/behavior #ConstChat #bidding
— Liftec Forklifts (@LiftecForklifts) June 12, 2014
Well-said. 🙂 @RigginsConst Our founder said, "We make money in the office and lose it in the field." So job costing is key. #ConstChat
— MyFixitUpLife (@MyFixitUpLife) June 12, 2014
Bonus Tweet:
Though Hager Co couldn’t attend this week, she looked back over the questions and had this to day. What a great community we have!
@RigginsConst #ConsChat is all encompassing about the industry & small businesses are often run by ppl w many hats. Like u & @Splintergirl
— HagerCo (@HagerCo) June 12, 2014
Do you have an answer you want to contribute? Feel free to add it in the comments.
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