More About Estimator Buddy
This is the customer's copy. Notice how only the pertinent information is displayed. Adding your business name and logo to be printed on 8.5" x 11" paper will provide a professional presentation.
This is the field copy for a crew. Each of the four sheets is designed for up to three pages of items. Probably more items than you will ever need for a single job. Again showing only pertinent information.
This vendor copy includes only essential information. You may need to print multiple copies depending on how many vendors were used for this job.
This is the start of Estimator Buddy's assistance. You may have noticed that the top nine rows are always visible. This design is beneficial for several reasons, particularly for accessing help. As you scroll down to read the help section, you can simultaneously view the relevant fields. This feature should be quite helpful.
The help section includes instructions for a very important feature of Estimator Buddy. Navigate to all the grouped items you have installed for use in your estimating process. This should make the learning process relatively quick and easy!
Q&A
What is Estimator Buddy?
What are some of the benefits of using Estimator Buddy?
Providing valuable information, including the total job price, total labor hours, total travel time, and total days of work. This data is essential for scheduling, coordinating manpower, setting field expectations, and addressing customer inquiries. Utilizing this information can help run a more intelligent and well-organized business.
Estimator Buddy is tailored for professionals in landscape-related fields, including planting, patios, decks, fire-pits, retaining walls, outdoor lighting, irrigation, and more. Typical users include business owners, estimators, designers, and landscape architects.
Landscape estimating software that allows easy calculation of total price, hours, materials, and profit by inputting necessary items, company information, overhead, and profit percentage in an organized manner.
Why does Estimator Buddy cost so much less than all the other estimating programs I’ve seen?
Who would use Estimator Buddy?
This program is not AI-based; it operates as a file on LibreOffice Calc, which is similar to Microsoft Excel but completely free to use.
Does Estimator Buddy make it quick to do an estimate?
Yes, however, the speed of use depends on how well the material and labor items are organized into groupings and navigated through hyperlinks.
Do you have tech support or something to help me learn how to use Estimator Buddy?
There is no phone or email tech support available, but Estimator Buddy and LibreOffice both offer help resources. Practice Estimator Buddy, which comes with the program, is a great way to learn how to use it effectively. Additionally, using an AI like Gemini can also be a valuable resource.
I see Estimator Buddy runs on LibreOffice Calc, is that good software?
LibreOffice Calc is excellent software, and research shows it is as capable as Microsoft Excel in most areas. Although Estimator Buddy utilizes some complex formulas, LibreOffice Calc is fully equipped to handle them.
What are the main problems Estimator Buddy solves?
Providing a fair price for both your customers and yourself is essential. Additionally, it should not be prohibitively expensive to purchase. Many landscape estimating programs available in the market tend to be cost-prohibitive to all except the larger companies.
Could you tell me about the person who produced Estimator Buddy and the reasons behind it?
My name is David. I was hired directly out of a vocational school while studying a two-year course in horticulture. I became the head groundskeeper at Norfolk International Terminals, where I worked for 10 years. During this time, I learned a great deal about operating various types of outdoor equipment and how to effectively delegate tasks to a large crew.
Afterward, I started my own business as a landscape contractor. Unfortunately, after five years, I failed and had to close my business. Although I excelled at my job at Norfolk International Terminals, I lacked certain business skills. In an effort to improve, I purchased my first computer and Microsoft Excel. I learned how to use both and developed an estimating program that significantly improved my operations.
Over the next 18 years, I refined and updated my Excel program, incorporating new materials and labor tasks each year. My success stemmed largely from my ability to sell landscaping jobs confidently, knowing that my Excel estimating program would ensure my profit margin and cover all overhead costs.
For the last 7 years of my business, I began meeting with potential customers, discussing their needs, providing a ballpark price, and charging a fee of between $100 and $1,000 before any work commenced. This approach helped keep clients serious and respected my time. I found it surprisingly easy; I demonstrated confidence, and they responded with respect.
After discussing the project, I would take measurements, draw plans, estimate costs, and schedule a presentation. I applied the design fee toward the final contract price and successfully sold about 98% of the jobs. If I didn’t sell the job, I simply kept the fee. This process worked so well that I eventually had no need for any advertising; I relied entirely on referrals.
After retiring, I decided to explore the current landscape estimating software options online and was astonished by the prices. While many programs had more features, I realized that after using Excel and other Microsoft Office programs, I had created similar tools, like schedulers and appointment books, customized for my business that worked excellently.
It struck me that anyone new to the landscaping business, or anyone struggling, would likely benefit from a solid landscape estimating program. To keep costs down, I researched and found a "free" alternative to Microsoft Excel called LibreOffice Calc, which was highly rated. Using it to assemble my program reinforced my belief.
As a result, I developed landscape estimating software called Estimator Buddy. If you have faced failure or struggle in business like I did, you might want to consider purchasing it; you may find it to be a valuable companion in your journey!