Marshall And Swift

[Kevin Steele]

Anyone out there using the Residential Express estimator? How does it compate to the full-blown version of the residential estimator? Pros? Cons? Just looking for some info before purchasing either. Thanks!

 

[Jeff Horton]

If your talking about the Residential Express CD I am using it and I like it. It has a nice simple Wizard that walks you through the input. I normally hate wizards but this one works really well, at least for me. I find it very simple and much quicker than using the book. It has 4 options as to the detail of report you print out.

I just print it to a PDF file and merge it into my report. I had to start putting in bold letters SEE ATTACHED ADDENDUM in the cost grid or the Underwriters would want to me fill out the cost approach. It would be the next sheet behind the URAR. Now does that tell you how close they look?

Now the draw back is when you have something out of the ordinary. For example it doesn't have data on Boat houses. (I live on the Tennessee River) It's doesn't do outbuildings, barns, sheds etc. When I need something like that I have asked and someone on here has sent me a PDF of the page I needed.

Overall I am well pleased. I would like to have the Residential Estimator (I think that is the name) that has all the book on it. But cost is just high for the few times I need the extra data. If your in a urban location and primarily doing straight-forward houses you will have no problem with it.

 

[Rick Neighbors]

Kevin,

I use the online "Swiftestimator".com

It has been fairly easy to use, and only costs $6.00 each time you use it. It will store your data, and you can go back in and edit it, if you need to.

Works great on getting an idea of cost on new construction. I like to compare the builders cost estimates to the M&S, just to see how close they are.

I have Wintotal, and would like to get the M&S for my software, but it is a little to pricey for me for no more credibility I give the cost approach.

Good luck,
Rick