Estimating
Building estimating your way to a profitable future
We’re not here to encourage you to use building estimating software. We’re here to encourage you to rethink your way of working. And by using EstimatorXpress, our own building estimating software, and all the associated business and technical support we provide, you’re closer to decent holidays, early retirement and a respectable pension pot – than if you weren’t. If you…. Keep attracting penny-pinching customers Struggle to say no to difficult…
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HBXL Building Software for small building firms – meet Sarah
From conversations we’ve had with lots of individuals and couples who have small building firms, Sarah represents a good number of women in the UK construction industry. Whilst enjoying a successful full-time job, she had a baby with her partner Steve. She soon concluded that her career and child care weren’t going to work alongside each other, so instead, started supporting Steve’s building firm in an admin role. It didn’t…
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HBXL Building Software for start-ups – meet Callum
Start-ups are what make the construction industry thrive. Thank goodness for Callum and everyone like him. He’s pretty typical of the many new businesses using HBXL Building Software. After years working for other builders, learning the trade, putting in a good shift, Callum wanted to spread his wings and feather his own nest. He knew it wouldn’t be easy. Starting any business, construction or not, takes time, money, energy and…
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HSE’s new inspections to check on heavy lifting and moving
Are your workers involved in heavy lifting and moving? You may have read that the HSE are undertaking a new initiative to combat serious aches, pains and strains in construction. Inspectors will be carrying out inspections in October and November in order to check how workers are moving heavy or bulky materials. How are your workers managing these tasks? What are you doing to minimise the risk of injury or…
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Moving away from spreadsheet-based estimating
Whilst many UK builders still use spreadsheets to estimate extensions, renovations and new build projects, savvy building firm owners are moving away from estimating with spreadsheets. They have found a quicker and more efficient way to estimate. Using EstimatorXpress, estimating software developed specifically for small to medium-sized builders, they spend less time quoting, whilst accurately calculating construction costs and improving their profit margins. Let’s look at the advantages of using…
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Now you can estimate your building projects four ways
Do you estimate building projects? Well here’s a quick run down of an amazing FOUR options you have for speeding up your estimating process whilst ensuring accuracy and professional-looking outputs: Estimating with pre-loaded Templates Estimating without pre-loaded Templates for custom jobs Taking-off for an automatic estimate Us producing the estimate for you With pre-loaded Templates EstimatorXpress gives you hundreds of quote templates for a huge range of typical projects from…
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What happens when an HSE Inspector visits a construction site?
HSE Inspector visits are real! Just as traffic wardens appear out of nowhere so do HSE Inspectors. In this article we give you: The solution The cost of fees and fines What the Inspector looks for What to do next. Concerned? Relaxed? Which one are you? Always looking over your shoulder wondering if today is your turn? Sure they’re never going to call – your jobs are too small –…
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Builders: Who’s choosing who for the job? You or the homeowner?
Builders – here’s our ‘How to make money with the right homeowner’ top tips. It’s not all about the homeowner and who they want for the job. Do YOU want to work with THEM? And most of the time, according to Simon Lazarus, you don’t! I’ve been discussing the huge topic of profitable projects with the UK’s ‘master mentor’ to building firms, Simon Lazarus of The Better Business Group, and…
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Seven ways to make more money on your building projects
I’m pleased to bring you a whopping seven ways to make more on your building project – and this is the best bit – with virtually no extra work on your part. I’m not suggesting you’re currently losing money. But you’re in the business to make good money for all sorts of reasons, so… Suppose I told you that you could be making more? What if you’re not grabbing every…
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How to make more money on your building projects for no more effort
Want to make more money on your building projects? Then buckle up – I’ve got a hefty list of must-dos (and an easier way to do them): Job costs Build stages Allowances Build Programme and analysis If you don’t think your spreadsheet is up to it, we’d highly recommend using estimating software like ours. I’d challenge you to be able to do what took our developers months and months, and…
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Who knew software could get you weekends away?
You have goals for your building firm, but what about your own? Forget the extensions you’re building for your customers – are you building a future for yourself? What’s in it for you? How do you want to reward yourself? What’s on your wish list? Not working every weekend Reducing evening admin Getting and keeping fit Enjoying an interest or learning a new skill The occasional weekend break Having at…
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New Health & Safety Xpert for 2022
The new Health & Safety Xpert 2022 update is here! Did you know there is new guidance on Covid-19 for construction sites? And totally separately, are you aware of the new rules effective from 6th April 2022 relating to Personal Protection Equipment? Do you use limb (b) workers? Not sure what the (b) means, then read on! Health & Safety Xpert 2022 has been updated in line with the above…
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