McCormick Electrical Estimating Reviews

It is a perfect program for calculating budgets

Pros:

The main benefit is its library of materials that allows you a better calculation according to what the client requires, since you can enter various materials or labor until you obtain a budget that meets the requirements

Cons:

I do not know if the version I use is very limited but every time I wanted to make a change that was not allowed in this verification or I needed to make some kind of payment ... I still consider that the time I have used it is little

Probably the best all round software in the industry.

Comments: The company is family owned, so you get quick, personal responses to any problems you might encounter. They have been in business since the late 1970's, so they are not strangers to the business. It's not like dealing with some huge, corporate, full of red tape company where the employees don't even know each other. Dealing with support or whatever department has always been a good experience.

Pros:

Software learning curve is the easiest of the three major brands I have used. Takeoff speed is by far the fastest, which equates to being able to bid more work with fewer people. That is a huge money saver. Tech support is outstanding. This software is the best I have seen at running seamlessly on large networks, as well as stand alone computers. Plus, they offer less expensive programs to start out with, and then you can upgrade as you go.

Cons:

Can't think of anything other than the cost (I'm cheap), but their cost is in line with the rest of the industry.

Very large and versitile

Comments: If we didn't have so much already invested, I'd try a different system. My estimators don't want to go through the learning process to change.

Pros:

Large program, not difficult to learn. Having our business in Phoenix and them being in the Phoenix area cuts the cost of training down.

Cons:

Setting up initially takes a bit of time. Every time they come out with an updated version it has had lots of bugs and problems. The advised us that we would save a lot of time on estimating going with "On Screen Take-off" and it was the opposite. It cost us a lot of time and was a TOTAL WASTE OF OUR TIME AND MONEY! They didn't care when I called and talked to them about it.

Good Estimating Software

Comments: We solved the exportation of the bid into the accounting and project software with the McCormick Estimating Software.

Pros:

When we began using McCormick it would interface with Spectrum Construction Software. This was the tip of the scale for us.

Cons:

In more recent years it seems to be difficult to get it to interface with Spectrum Construction Software. There have been many improvements in Spectrum and McCormick also. We still use both of these, but have since purchased a go between software for the two.

Randy Lee with Lee's Electric Company. 48 year old company. Conest vs McCormick

Comments: If McCormick would listen to some of my ideas they would be the number 1 software. Their support is great. The yearly Cost is great. It's just some small cons. Conest support has good people. My executive is one of the best. It's just to expensive. When you pay for an upgrade and there is none it pisses me off. EBM IS THE FAST OF ALL BUT ONLY GOOD FOR SMALL JOBS.

Pros:

McCormick is a very speed driven software. Fast take offs. I purchased it long ago but only use it 10 percent of the time. I have been waiting for some upgrades, which will make it complete. Conest has tons of assemblies for every task. But takeoffs are slow and requires total attention of you could make an expensive mistake.

Cons:

I don't like the Messaging system. I don't like the things that slow the process down. What good is a fast take off if it slows you don't when trying to get the bids out. Conest software is slow if you use the Sure Count.

Making My Estimating Efficient

Comments: Excellent I wouldn't want any other software. From the sales department to tech support this company and the software are on point.

Pros:

It makes my time worth having it. I can efficiently work in the field and come home and estimate projects. It saves me so much time and wins projects with reasonable margins over the competition. It gives us the edge to compete with any company in our field. Its not just small projects all sizes and shapes and it has allowed us to expand and hire more people.

Cons:

The only complain I would have is not being compatible with windows updates in the early stages of owning it. The company was great though and recognized this and the tech support group is second to none.

Productive

Comments: McCormick has allowed us to bid more projects since it takes less time to take off a project with DEP.

Pros:

Since we have started using DEP to take off projects it has cut the time down on how long we take off a bid. This also allows us to hand the project off to our Project managers so they can see how bid was taken off. My Salesman and the entire support team.

Cons:

I don't have to many issues with McCormick. The only issue would be the search feature. Adding notes to the drawings and not being able to point to what the note represents.

McCormick Estimating Software 1000 w/ OSE

Comments: I can not say enough about the support that is given. I had a issue with the license key when I first got it. One quick call to tech support they had me up and running in minutes. Then after that I talked with my regional sales manager, he could not have been more friendly or helpful. That has not been intrusive either He has checked in a couple of times to make sure everything was going well. Live on screen demo and training was helpful. He did such a good job with that I haven't had that many questions. On one occasion I called to ask a question on something I couldn't figure and asked for "my" guy, he had gone home for the day so I left a voicemail. It wasn't 10-15 minutes later and he was calling me back, after his work hours, now that customer service. The software is well written, easy to use and intuitive. Changes to accommodate your business is easy to do as well. The fact that the On screen estimating is part of the estimating software, if purchased, is great. It's nice to watch counts go directly to the estimating software, rather than importing it. This has been perfect for our small 5-10 man electrical company.

Pros:

The support can't be beat and ease of use. The ability to accept auto updates from trade service, national pricing service and others to keep pricing up to date.

Cons:

The license key, on a thumb drive, did not work when it was shipped . Other than that I haven't ant issues or complaints

Horrible

Comments: I would steer clear of McCormick after using it for a year it has become a burden to use and very encumbering. We went back to pencil and paper until determining what to use.

Pros:

Not much works without paying for premium package. Even though they show you how to use their product using the premium package. They will say this is not available in your version, which makes no sense unless you are using the bait and switch routine.

Cons:

We got the base package with the least amount of features. It will not work in 64 bit and you will have to down grade your systems in order to run it. Many security features will be disabled in your software by doing this. It is also very, very, very discomforting on clicking on a feature only to be met with "not available in your version, please contact....." I cannot tell you how maddening it is to click on a feature and not be able to use it. It also will incorporate other third party programs such as Traser. Which works on occasion and there is always some work around that you have to implement in order to make it function. It is beyond usablity in its lower teirs, it will cost you more in time and energy to call tech support and get assistance.

Electrical Estimating - Huge Time Saver

Comments: We switched from a bidding software that was outdated despite the quarterly and annual "updates" the company claimed/pushed. We found McCormicks and worked very closely with the reps(great guy, full of knowledge), and quickly realized just how inconvenient our current bidding software was! With multiple take off windows, direct take offs and auto counts from drawings, bidding is now a breeze. We really like the ability to customize everything, and using commercial and residential templates have allowed us to complete bids in a half the time (maybe even less) than our previous software allowed!

Pros:

Everything is customizable . Easy template builds. Take offs directly from drawing. Auto count that seems to be more accurate than any other software I've tried.

Cons:

Learning how to accurately search for things in the library can be frustrating at first, but once you use the software a few times, and build a base knowledge for the way their database is set up, it becomes much easier.

Great product

Pros:

The pros are the McCormick team willing to take the time out of there day to help you get through the bumpy spots. The integrated plan take off screen is a great way to get accurate counts and length's.

Cons:

The tutorial is like a foreign language but the McCormick support team takes they're time to help you out.

This program has helped our company put together large quotes just weeks after buying the software, and saved a LOT of time.

Comments: This is a fantastic program to complete bids, and just doing material take offs for projects. The customer support is outstanding and they help work through any question/issue in a timely manner.

Pros:

There are so many pre-loaded assemblies, and items to use right away. The DEP allows the user to insert items where ever needed, using the proper symbols. Being able to change the take off material/manpower in the extend tab. Having the system save all projects, and being able to change between them easily.

Cons:

It does take a lot of updating to maintain speed. There is a lot to know before feeling comfortable about a bid that has been taken off.

McCormick’s needs to go back to the drawing board.

Comments: Great material breakdown.

Pros:

Very detailed on material. That’s about it.

Cons:

Not one of my customers like the proposal set up. I’ve lost jobs because the proposal is so unprofessional. If you want to use this system and pay out the ting yang for a material software, be my guest.

McCormick Estimating software is easy to learn, and a great way to get bids out quick

Pros:

I like the ability to set up assemblies of different products to sail through different bids. I also really enjoy the On Screen Estimating Pro to be able to load bids into their system and just click and insert material.

Cons:

Initially using extension and bid summary were hard to grasp the concept of, but through a little teaching it is a very handy tool

Moving forward with McCormick

Pros:

The McCormick estimating software with the On Screen Estimating option definitely simplifies and expedites the estimating process while maintaining accuracy.

Cons:

I do not have a problem with this product at the current time.

McCormick User since 2008

Pros:

I find McCormick to be very user friendly. The support is second to none and very timely.

Cons:

I would not change anything about the software. The yearly cost seems expensive but you get what you pay for.

Great over all product

Pros:

Tec support There is plenty of estimating software company's that can get the job done. We tried a few of them and they all glitch with new updates. The biggest difference is in the tec support! When windows updates and you are under the gun to get a proposal out, you will be in good hands knowing that the issue will be fixed in a timely manner.

Cons:

Other then the upfront cost it is great. We started out with the 3000 and as we grew we increased to the 6000.

Great Estimating tool

Pros:

It's a great check and balance to doing takeoff because of all that's written in to it. It helps prevent missing things while doing takeoff

Cons:

I still can't upload a print and push a button and have it give me the perfect winning bid number yet. Really, I have no major complaints.

McCormick Has changed how our company operates for the better

Pros:

Software works great from start to end of a project, helps keep things organized and streamlined. Support staff is great, tech support and phone support. Don't have many issues but if I do they are solved within a very short period.

Cons:

training classes are only on the states. I like the travel but it would be more cost effective if it were to take place in Canada.

Does it all

Comments: Added the auto takeoff feature, so no need to plot drawing off, must have if your on the go

Pros:

Ease of use, mainly with the database lookup of particular items. Simple search and click.

Cons:

Like all estimation software it takes some time to get use to, also included the takeoff software,it's a real timesaver.

Happy to find a software the worked for our company

Pros:

We are a low voltage contractor and had difficult time finding software that worked for us. Sales and technical support we great helping us through the learning initial learning. We are using it every day and are continuing to learn.

Productive Estimation Software

Comments: I have been using Mccormick for three months, I took the standard class in December. As you build your preference while performing take off, you will be able to finish them faster. Their tech supports and sales service are wonderful, and always responsible.

McCormick Review

Comments: This product is very helpful to our company. It has some great features that are quick and easy to use. We have been using it for many years in our company and have had nothing but positive feedback from using this product.

Just Learning

Pros:

We just recently purchased the McCormick 3000 software. I have taken the beginners training course and found the software to be very in depth. The support from this company is exceptional, I have been contacted by phone and e-mail since the purchase. I hate to admit, I have been too busy to get back at the software and reply to support, I will have to relearn it already.

Cons:

Nothing to dislike so far. I need more time on the software to have a firm grip on the capability

Great stuff

Comments: Software is great though I recommend the one on one tutoring session

Pros:

Assembly and Item list are great build out tools that save time . As we all know time is related to money .

Cons:

Have not had enough experience to talk about the cons