News and Announcements

CPR, Inc. Announces Year 2010 Updates for Their Popular MS Excel Based Cost Estimating Software Programs

Jacksonville, FL – January 3, 2010 - CPR, Inc. a provider of productivity software for construction since 1986, today announced year 2010 updates for their popular MS Excel based construction estimating software programs.

The updates include new and improved features, functions, usability and reporting in addition to cost data updates reflecting changing material and labor pricing in today’s challenging economic conditions. Help system, User Manual and Step-by-Step tutorial have also been completely reworked to achieve a seamless and productive software experience.

"Creating an accurate and reliable construction cost estimate has always been difficult and time-consuming; and yet, it is an absolute necessity for the success of the project." said L. Sert, Software Development Manager for CPR, Inc. “In order to streamline the process and give a distinct competitive edge to the estimator, we chose to base our popular cost estimators on the world-renowned productivity tool, Microsoft Excel”.

He added: “A truly effective cost estimating solution requires three things:

1. Based on a full understanding and methodology of the general construction industry

2. Easy to implement while saving time and providing accuracy you can trust

3. Provide essential localized pricing along with flexibility and customization

This is what we totally achieved with our year 2010 updates.”

Hands-on testing has indicated that the updated programs painlessly create modifiable cost estimate reports based on point and click selections. The systems contain several worksheets containing user modifiable cost data for cost categories covering all 16 division of CSI (AIA) MasterFormat. A user simply has to select from the Lookup screens, thus eliminating the risk of missing important cost items for inclusion in the estimate.

GeneralCOST Estimator for Excel is distributed free on a try-before-you-buy basis. A 7-day trial edition is available to download free at:

Upon registration, a user receives an authorization code to unlock full features of each program.

About CPR, Inc.
CPR, Inc. is a provider of advanced productivity tools for construction since 1986.

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Five Common-Sense Rules of Successful Cost Estimating

1. A good estimate must start with a complete understanding of scope of work followed by an accurate quantity takeoff. It's all too easy to miss out identifying items of work in the project. This may be due to absolutely mundane reasons such as missing drawings, details or specs. It could be due to a misinterpretation of the scope based on an ambiguous statement or comment. Or, it could be due to a more serious reason such as lack of experience in conceptualizing the work to be performed in the field.

2. Understand your resources and their cost to you – material suppliers, labor force, subcontractors, construction equipment, indirect costs, management.

Easier said than done, this requires a thorough analysis of costs. A cost engineer may very well team up with the comptroller, accountant, field superintendent, project manager, purchasing manager. Even outside labor consultants may be hired to reach cost data to be incorporated in estimates. Remember, such data is not static, but changing in time and periodic review and update is a must.

3. Evaluate your strength and weakness and establish comparative advantage

This is where the upper echelons of management should participate extensively. Typically, they have the background experience not just within the company but with other companies and industries vis-à-vis competition. Once the main parameters are established, the middle management in collaboration within departments may detail out the analysis and attach workable numbers. These, in turn, become the ammunition of choice for the estimating department so that they can come up with an estimate that is not only sufficiently low but also profitable for the company.

4. Determine appropriate Overhead and Profit rates

In order to achieve optimal overhead and profit applications, item 3 above has to be completed so that risk factors are established and evaluated. Considering the general description of profit as being the return for taking a risk, it’s essential that it has to be a calculated risk. To arrive at these figures, not only the company cost structure and records must be thoroughly analyzed but also competition must be evaluated. In general, it is not recommended to trim bid figures from overhead and profit since they represent the long term viability of an ongoing business concern.

5. Use sound estimator’s judgement and keep an open mind and ear

When preparing a bid level estimate, care must be taken to identify not only labor and material cost items shown on the plans, but also labor and cost items that may not be reflected on the plans. This is where good estimating and estimator’s judgement comes into play. It’s allright to consult a project manager, an engineer, a field superintendent and even a simple workman. A few new ideas here and a few there may mean understanding the project better and trimming estimating costs which may in turn mean a winning and profitable bid as opposed to a disappointing loss.

Happy Estimating!