WinEst Reviews

“Great but Cost algorithm needs improvement

Pros

For over a year, I have been using this software, and honestly, it has completely changed how we handle property management. The platform excels in communication as it sends updates and notices to residents quickly and excellently. And the user interface is clean and user-friendly, which is simply the best for a less tech-savvy staff.

Cons

I don't think creating custom databases was their priority and I wish I had explored more when the demo phase was still ongoing. It seems too complicated to quickly edit or delete items from a database and takes too much time. I also have to constantly update the cost data since the initial data it comes with, is not accurate.

“Amazing software, terrible customer service

Pros

I found WinEst to be one of the most flexible estimation solutions on the market. With the ability to customize the labor rates, which cater to different client needs, and to be able to lay out a shift plan for custom crews, it has sped up our estimations. What I appreciate is that it has a very simple UI that displays all the information dynamically and lets you allocate the markups easily. It has a handy catalog of items with up-to-date prices, which is helpful. They present it neatly in the form of a tree that makes your estimates easier as you proceed further.

Cons

Unfortunately, WinEst has the worst customer support. They offer a support plan, but if you don't happen to own it, they will downright refuse to offer any kind of help. What's even worse is that the support plan is overpriced. I don't feel comfortable paying to fix a problem that shouldn't be happening in the first place.

“Very flexible software

Pros

Program is flexible enough to handle custom WBS and to be able to flip back and forth. Alternates can be easily created within the spreadsheet and a neat toggle to turn them on or off is very valuable.

Cons

There are so many little settings to manage. I would want the software to handle some settings automatically.

“My Go-To Estimation Software

Pros

I've found this software to be incredibly reliable and convenient for making estimations. The screen prompts appear exactly when I need them, making the whole process smooth and simple. It really helps manage my workflow, allowing me to focus on the task at hand without any unnecessary distractions.

Cons

I think there are Limited takeoff attachments and missing elements/materials in the library.

“Poor digital takeoffs

Pros

This software is really good for bidding, very impressive, and incredibly useful. It streamlines my work process and makes everything so much easier. Plus, the support team is fantastic, they're always there to help whenever I need help. It's become an important part of my workflow!

Cons

Digital take-off is so poor it forces you to convert PDFs to BMPs on your own. It really took a lot of my precious time.

“User-friendly edits with a slight coding hitch

Pros

It's very easy to make revisions to crew hours and production on the spreadsheet on the go. I don't have to go into detail every time for small updates.

Cons

Both 5 and 6 digit CSI codes are necessary to assign to each database item. We wish there was a toggle to turn off 5 digit requirement as it is not needed and consumes time.

“Amazing software if handled correctly

Pros

This software is an excellent way to price jobs quickly, thanks to the pre-made assemblies that significantly reduce the time I spend deciding on a budget.

Cons

Having pre loaded assemblies is great but creating my own database is not very easy. Something as simple as deleting items from database is also very time consuming.

“A database that does the math for me

Pros

I was impressed with this software because it allowed me to build a database. Once I completed my take offs I could input them here, and it would automatically calculate the math for me. It reminds me a lot of Sage but I particularly enjoy the Excel like interface.

Cons

I genuinely like every aspect of this software. When I started working at a new company I ended up using Sage which was remarkably similar, both in functionality and cost.

“WinEst: my go-to estimating tool

Pros

WinEst is an excellent estimating tool. Whether I am working on small estimates or large collaborative projects, it gets the job done. It offers a great deal of flexibility and customization especially when working with multiple clients. The customer service provided is outstanding. I've never seen a company respond so quickly or show such determination in helping resolve any issues I encountered.

Cons

The setup and administration can be quite confusing. It was a little hard for me to achieve the desired output which takes a huge amount of time and effort.

“User-friendly software that fits my style

Pros

It is quick and easy to use and I like the ability to create and personalize my own database. It works well for repetitive projects.

Cons

The visualization tools are lacking and I had to rely on a separate tool for comparing drawings such as overlaying a new drawing on top of an old one to visualize the changes.

“Amazing support and training when I need it

Pros

The ease of use is remarkable. They provide clear explanations from the beginning, detailing what you get and how the software works. Unlike other options, they took the initiative to reach out to us, offering a product demo and answering any questions we had. Considering it is a significant investment this level of personal attention is highly appreciated. They even assist in setting up tailored training sessions based on our needs, ensuring a hands on experience rather than relying solely on videos and online resources.

Cons

I have no complaints.

“Really good

Pros

I really like the organization of line items, it is excellent.

Cons

There was nothing negative about it.

“Top-notch customer support but lacks reporting capability

Pros

The customer support from WinEst is very much exceptional and helpful. Whenever I call or email I receive an immediate response. The markup function is fantastic allowing easy management of different markups, taxes, and escalation.

Cons

The reporting features are not the best. It would be fantastic if the software came with a set of predefined reports that users could modify. And it would be great if the crews table could be imported and exported. I understand there are dependencies with the trade table, but not being able to import from a table is quite inconvenient. It would also be helpful to have an auto line numbering feature, especially one that allows for renumbering when inserting new lines.

“A flexible interface that makes estimating simple

Pros

What I love about this product is the flexibility provided by its simple interface. The ability to allocate markups is particularly useful and adds a dynamic aspect to the software. The catalog and cost item database are incredibly helpful, and the tree structure makes it easy to select items during the estimating process. It serves as a helpful reminder for any overlooked items in my bids.

Cons

The major drawback of this software is the customer support. While it is relatively easy to reach someone over the phone, they straight-up refuse to address any issues or problems unless you purchase a support plan. The cost of the support plan is also unreasonably high. I understand developers charging for software training or assistance with integration but I believe that fixing issues within the software should be included in the initial purchase price.

“Great estimating features with excellent customer support

Pros

Winestimator is an outstanding tool for estimating. It offers great versatility allowing me to save small local estimates or collaborate and update versions using the Enterprise Data Manager. This program provides the necessary flexibility to support our company's initiatives. I can create custom labor rate tables for individual clients, customize crews and shifts and integrate custom or standard commodity codes to ensure clean and consistent estimates.

Cons

I believe there should be some training for administering and maintaining this program. While it is relatively user-friendly, someone needs to handle the setup and troubleshooting. This process can be laborious, but once everything is set up, the efficiency is remarkable.