Use of software created specifically for painters and decorators has enabled one Farnborough-based decorator make sure he’s got everything covered when working on a job.

Operating in an area from Guildford to Reading, Chris Watts, who has been working in the trade for over 10 years, puts his success in part down to HBXL’s EstimatorXpress software and in particular its painter and decorator edition.

With the order books full until early next year, Chris has enjoyed a steady rate of business over recent times with the level of enquiries starting to increase.

To help him cope with the level number of enquiries he gets, Chris uses HBXL’s software to put together his quotes and estimates which allows him to quickly produce estimates for his potential customers.

The one area Chris believes makes EstimatorXpress so good is the level of detail it provides. It means nothing is missed on a job and gives a true cost for his customers, right at the very beginning.

Chris said: “There is nothing worse than going back to a customer part way through a job asking for further budget. Firstly EstimatorXpress is fantastic as a reference tool as it recommends elements of a job that sometimes get forgotten or missed off.

“I’m therefore able to present a detailed quote to the customer who can then see where the money is going.

“Another benefit of the software is the professional way it presents the estimates. This gives the impression of a business that cares about its work and in the decorating trade that is a very important part of the job.

“Presenting professionally looking, detailed quotes, is 50 percent of the job when quoting for new work and I would highly recommend the software to anyone.”

The software Chris uses is called EstimatorXpress Plastering & Decorating Trade edition. Based on its award-winning EstimatorXpress, the software has been tailored to meet the demanding needs of decorating firms and painting and decorating contractors, helping ensure maximum profit on every job and reducing the time it takes to produce estimates.

It’s suitable for all interior and exterior painting and decorating jobs as well as any plastering, decorative works such as coving, cornices and dado rails and dry lining.

Joanna Mulgrew, director at HBXL said: “This software has been designed with the computer novice in mind. All users do is simply input dimensions and quantities into detailed on-screen drawings.

“EstimatorXpress does the rest producing a completely accurate estimate which includes labour and material schedules. It’s so easy to use, painting and decorating quotes can be produced in just minutes.

“Perfect for costing any domestic or light commercial, plastering or decorating job it allows for the right number of litres of paint, rolls of wallpaper, render and plastering materials.

“Whether you’re rendering, renovating lathe and plaster, painting outside or inside, EstimatorXpress will not only cost it but work out how to manage the project as well.

“The software doesn’t make mistakes when tired or overworked and it won’t forget the calculations and dimensions used if distracted. Also it won’t make errors in overlooking VAT, wastage, critical costs and/or profit and it even calculates the wear and tear of the tools used!”

The reason for its accuracy is because the software links daily to a number of builders merchant’s price lists via the internet.

These live material price lists mean the prices used in all the estimates are totally accurate because they are right up-to-date. Whether it’ a specific type of paint or brand, decorators and painters can quote with confidence knowing they are using and quoting prices from that day’s list.

EstimatorXpress Plastering & Decorating Trade edition costs £399 + VAT.

For information on EstimatorXpress Plastering & Decorating Trade edition please call T: 0117 9167 898