ProEst has helped over 8,000 of the world’s most prominent construction companies streamline and improve their estimating processes.

1. 4 POTENTIALLY EXPENSIVE MISTAKES TO AVOID
WHEN YOU ARE USING EXCEL FOR ESTIMATING

2. ProEst.com – Bid With Confidence Call us: 800.255.74072
Excel has long been a mainstay for people wanting an affordable estimating tool for their business. It’s
been around long enough that most people are familiar with it and many people have already been trained
on it.
But, Excel has its limitations, not least of which is the fact that it’s a spreadsheet software and not an
estimating software. Still, with some major tinkering, Excel can get you by as a cost estimating tool if you
don’t have any other options, but there are some things you need to be wary of when using Excel.
Here are four dangers of using Excel and tips to avoid them.
1. Formulas can easily be wiped out with an errant keystroke.
One of the things we hear from people on a regular basis is that they’ve accidentally either wiped out an
entire formula or they’ve accidentally added something to the formula that suddenly makes all their
calculations incorrect.
Tip: Lock the boxes with your formulas in them so they are read-only. This will prevent them from being
accidentally altered.
2. Multiple copies of the same sheet can be opened and it can be difficult to know which is the
correct one.
If an Excel estimating sheet is in a place where multiple people can access it, there is a danger that multiple
variations of the same sheet could end up being opened and edited at the same time. This can cause
problems when people start saving those variations of the same sheet. They can be saved over each other
and one person’s variation of the sheet can save over another person’s and wipe out all of the editing
they’ve done on it.
Tip: Have some kind of system in place where everyone is informed when someone has the sheet open
and is working on it. This may be something like sending out a quick email to the team or designating times
for people to work on the sheet. You could also have one person designated to open and work on the
sheet, although that would likely be problematic in companies with teams of estimators.
3. Values that have to be manually entered when you are integrating with a third party takeoff
software can be entered incorrectly.
One of the drawbacks of working with Excel is its inability to integrate with a third party takeoff platform.
While it makes for a lot more work, the only real solution when you want import your takeoff quantities
from a third-party into Excel is to manually input them into Excel and manually check them to make sure
they add up. This will mean double and triple checking those amounts to make sure they’re correct. So,
get that calculator out.
4. Productivity cannot be easily controlled by the senior estimator
When using Excel, anyone can change the standard company estimating sheet. The senior estimator can
setup an excel template that the entire company is mandated to use, but Excel gives you the ability to
change a cell or value, thus opening the company up for risk of changed values for labor productivity,
estimated unit costs, overhead and profit percentages, etc.
The larger the company, the larger the danger of this happening because of the larger estimating
department.

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The only real safeguard against this is to make sure the senior estimator locks the cells they don’t want
changed to be read-only and to be vigilant about making sure everyone knows not to change them.
By being extra diligent and following these simple tips, the hassle of using Excel can be minimized. However,
using spreadsheet software for construction estimating is akin to screwing in a screw with a hammer. It’s
a tool that you’re using for a job it was not designed for.
About ProEst
Since 1976, ProEst has helped over 8,000 of the world’s most prominent construction companies streamline
and improve their estimating processes. We continue to live up to our reputation for reliable and expert
innovations with the ongoing development of our ProEst Estimating software.
Our mission is to deliver outstanding value to each client we serve through our firm’s core values of
Integrity, Dedication to Excellence and Loyalty. We practice our core values in our work, giving our clients
an experience of trust and partnership that is unique in the business.
Our dedication to the needs of growing businesses is reflected in our core values.
Integrity
We will exhibit unshakable integrity, first and foremost, in all our practices from initial contact through
implementation and training.
Excellence
As your technology partner we will aggressively seek out new technologies and ways to improve your
business. You will benefit not only from our products and services, but from the collective knowledge within
our highly-educated staff as well.
Loyalty
Our clients are industry-leaders and thus expect high levels of quality and service. We promise to meet or
exceed these expectations and will conduct all our business relationships in the spirit of true partnership
where all parties involved benefit.
Our corporate offices are located in San Diego, California, with authorized business partners located in
many major cities throughout the world to serve your sales, support and training needs.
Contact Us
Contact Sales: 800.255.7407/858.312.8900
Send a Fax: 858.312.8910
ProEst Technical Support
Contact Support: 858.312.8911
Submit a support case now: www.proest.com/supportcase
ProEst Address
ProEst Estimating Software
17065 Camino San Bernardo, Suite 150
San Diego, CA 92127