Use this “Quick Quote Spreadsheet” To Estimate Design and Building Costs

Designers and Contractors all need to establish a design and building range of costs for each project. One method that is commonly used is the  “Quick Quote” method.

A “Quick Quote” is really nothing more than a guesstimate or swag (scientific wild a** guess) that helps define a scope of work and budget that is used to insure that your client is realistic in what they want to do.

I’ve developed a simple spreadsheet that can be used for this process. It’s simple and quick to use and will help you think through each project and produce a written document that you can work from. It’s not meant to replace your estimating system.

Download the: “Quick Quote” Spreadsheet (Right click and “Save As”)
View the article and video: “Does a Good Remodeling Plan Really Cost Your Client Anything?”
View the recorded webinar: “Top Ten Mistakes Chief Architect Users Make“

View the 13 Minute video at ChiefExperts.com about:
How to use the “Quick Quote” spreadsheet

After you’ve had a chance to try it, please leave your comments and suggestions about how it works and what you would do to make it better.

ChiefExperts.com now offering 72 hours of Chief Architect training on DVD

In today’s economy it more important than ever to stay on top of your game and staying educated helps. I’ve been busy the last few months learning website techniques and rethinking how my membership site ChiefExperts.com can help.

In the last 2 years I’ve done a lot of online classes about Chief Architect as well as other construction industry topics. The content was growing and I had to find a better way to get it to those that can really use it. So here’s what I did.

The Chief Architect Training DVD

I’ve compiled and loaded 62 topics, 72 hours of training in 967 segments onto a Training DVD. (That’s right one DVD – “Thanks Technology”) and have created a Detailed Search-Able Indexso you can find what you want and get to it quickly. It works great. With that everything is also available online along with a bunch of other topics that I’ll soon start organizing. The DVD and a 3 month membership is only $295.00. You can learn how it all works here.

Free Training and Tutorials

If you’re still using Chief V10 there is over 21 hours of online training available for you. You can access it here for free and you don’t need a membership to view it. In fact the Chief Tips and Ttutorials and Other Tips and Tutorialsare also available for free.

Free Forum for Chief Architect Users

I don’t have any dilusions of trying to out do the ChiefTalk forum. Chief offers a great forum for all users to collaberate. If you haven’t checked it out you should. What I hope happens at the ChiefExperts.com Forum is that we can build a small community of loyal contributors that will share ideas, offer help and just get involved. Together we can help each other do better in our efforts to produce better plans and run a more profitable business. Please join in the conversation.

More Online and Live Classes Coming

In the last 3-1/2 years I’ve only done a couple of live, in-person clases. In fact those were done this year. It was great to be with real live people again. With that in mind I’m planning on offering a couple of in-person classes each month along with many new online classes. I’m still working on the schedule for the rest of 2009 but you can get an idea of what’s going to be available on my New Events Calendar. I’m wide open for feedback on what classes you would like and where you would like the live classes to be held. Let me know.

How can I help?

Like I said earlier we’ve all had to make changes in the way we do things. My goal is to make ChiefExperts.com an open community that everyone csn benefit from. I have the tools to bring many things to the Chief Architect and Design community. Let me know what you need or if you have something to contribute.

Dan Baumann

Websites for Dummies?

Hi Everyone

Technology – Gotta love it! (or not), It’s here to stay and we better get used to it. Sometimes it makes all of us feel sort of stupid. Including me. The challenge to keep up with all of the technology out there is enough to make a rouge scholar feel sort of incompetent.

It’s not that any of us are dumb. The real problem is there is just not enough time to figure all of this out. We could hire someone to do it but will they do a good job, will it work like we want and can we afford their services.

We’ve talked a lot about websites lately at ChiefExperts.com and It’s time to take action.

We’re done a a one and a half day online class for current members of ChiefExperts.com. We’re discussed you how to set up and maintain a website from A-Z. And in plain English.

If you don’t already have a website you need to get one. If you have one and want to improve it and take control of it you’ll know what to do. If you’re working with someone on a site you’ll know what to tell them.

This is cool stuff. I’ve been a student of this for years and I show you how to do it.

This is really important – The first thing that a potential client will do when looking for contractors is look for your website. It’s the least expensive and best form of advertising you can do. In fact all of you advertising should lead people to your website. There you can show them how great you are.

Take a look at your site. If you were looking for a contractor would you trust the company represented by your website. That’s the first thing to ask yourself. You’ve got just a few seconds to convey trust.

Our focus was show you everything you need from how to get your web URL to what to put on each page and everything in between. This is going to be fun!

I need to ask you a favor. Could you please leave a comment and let me know if you would be interested in another class like this. If so what sort of things would be helpful to you. You feedback is important and very valuable.

I also want to make you aware of the software that I’ll be using to teach the class. This is world class software and it’s as easy to use as a word processor. I’ve been looking for a platform that is simple enough for anyone to use and this is it. It’s not free but for $197.oo it’s the best value for what it can do that I’ve ever seen. You can download a free 30 day full working demo to check it out. It’s powerful stuff and I’ll show you exactly how to use it as well as the other things you’ll need to know about setting up a great website.

The software is called XSitePro. Here are some links for you to check it out:
XSitePro Home Page
Product Video
Product Training Video
Product Brocure
Order Page

I’ve worked with lots of website software but this company really gets it. They make a great software, back it up with great support and are building an unbelievable community. I’m excited to be part of it.

Check it out and learn as much as you can about the software. That way when we do our class you can focus on creating your website and not so much on the software.

Remember to leave your comments and I’ll keep you informed as we firm up what we’re up to.

To Your Success

Dan Baumann

I’m Hitting the Road!

Wouldn’t it be great if we could just pack it in and hit the road. Maybe spend some time at the beach at an exclusive resort in some far away land. That would be awesome wouldn’t’ it? But that’s not the kind of road I’m planning on hitting.

It’s amazing that it’s been 4 years since I’ve done a live, classroom training session for Chief Architect users. After 12 years of traveling before that the switch to all online training was great. Now it’s time to get out and meet face to face again and I’m really looking forward to it.

To start out I’m not traveling very far. The first class of 2009 will be about a mile from my office in Hopkins, MN on January 27-28 You can get all of the details here about the live, hands on training classes.

My goal is to travel about once per month to a new location. I guess it will depend if there is enough demand for this type of training. In March I’ll be speaking about websites at the JLC show in Providence, RI and again in Long Beach, CA in May. There is nothing specific set up at this point for Chief Architect users and would love to hear from you if you plan to be at these shows.

Here’s my question for all of the Chief users out there. Would you be interested in a live, 2-day, hands on training class for Chief Architect in your area?

I would really appreciate your feedback to that question. Just add your comments below.

It’s a tall order to ask someone to spend the money and take 2 days to attend a class. But during these tough times it’s important for all of you to gain any advantage you can in the marketplace. Based on past experience using Chief to it’s full potential as a sales tool relay works.

On the class sales page you’ll get a good sense of what these classes are about. I”ve also added some bonuses for the attendees.

Even if your not interested in the classes you should check out this page. At the bottom of the page there is a Free Video called “Selling and Profiting from Your Design Services”  There’s a bunch of cool tips in this 74 minute video that may help in your sales process.  Some of you may have already seen this but watch it again. Maybe it will inspire you.

I hope everyone is doing well out in the construction world. I know it’s tough to keep the faith and keep your head up but better times are on the way.

To Your Success,

Dan Baumann

P.S. Please remember to leave any comments you have about getting live Chief Architect training in your area.

Thinking Outside the Box!

It’s time to dust off my Blog and give it another shot. Blogs are a great way to communicate with your clients but only if you post new information to them regularly. I’m going to make a commitment to use this blog to keep you informed and educated in 2009. So here goes.

As much as the holidays are a wonderful time of year I’m glad they’re almost over so we can get back to business. December was a lousy month for many involved in the construction industry and consulting and education was no exception. We need to take proactive steps to make sure 2009 turns out to be a good year.

To start out in January I’ll be starting a new round of education for Chief Architect users. Here’s the new schedule. There are many new topics in January that we’ll be covering including

• Finishing the Working Drawing series
• Using Spreadsheets
• Advanced Roofs
• Slabs and Moldings

I’m also putting together a new class on creating and maintaining a website. Watch for more information on this soon.

A new monthly membership plan has been added to make it easy for you to access the new classes.

I’ve talked with some of my fellow consultants and many contractors recently and it’s become obvious that with the hard times that we’re experiencing many of you have slashed your education and marketing budgets. Don’t to it.

The successful contractors that are staying busy during this downturn have a common thread as to why they are busy. They continue with their education and increase (not decrease) their marketing budget. If you don’t stay on top of things and don’t get the word out that you’re not a well kept secret how can you expect to get new leads coming in.

These contractors are good at thinking “Outside of the Box” I’m sure many of you have heard this term and it goes with an article I did a few weeks back called “Prime the Pump” I know these are simply clichés but when times are tough sometimes these silly sayings will spark some imaginative thinking.

So when you’re struggling coming up with new ideas that can spur some business think about the  ”9 Dots”  See if you have what it takes. Draw 9 dots on a piece of paper like the illustration. Now connect all 9 dots using 4 lines without raising your pencil off the paper. (Hint – think outside of the box)

Connect the 9 Dots with 4 Lines without raising your pencil

Now go ahead and watch the short video I put together and then come back and make a comment about some of the ways that you are “Thinking Outside of the Box” in your business. Let’s get this thread going with lots of good ideas.

Also try searching “Think Outside the Box” You’ll get some great articles.

Remember to leave your comments!

Website Review Webinar

Last Friday was a great day at ChiefExperts.com.   We hosted a webinar addressing the new world of marketing and how critical websites are to your marketing efforts.  We had a very informational session with over 100 people enrolled.  Dan Baumann led the discussion on marketing as it evolves from the traditional 4P’s of - Product, Price, Place and Promotion to the new world of social marketing and the 4R’s – Reveal, Reward, Respect and Retain.  He also discussed all the mental triggers that your marketing efforts, especially your website, should address. 

We also offered to review your websites and offer our advice on areas of improvement.  Wow – we were overwhelmed by your response!  We had over 50 requests to review your websites.  We loved it and have really enjoyed visiting your sites and giving them a critical eye.   We have seen some excellent sites and some not so great sites.  We talked about a few during the webinar, with much more to come.

There is so much contractors and designers can do on your website:

• highlight amazing galleries and portfolios, 
• promote your awards,
• video testimonials from clients, subs, employees,
• photos and bios of your staff,
• private client areas,
• your contracts,
• education for your clients,
• your community involvement,
• & blogs, of course. 

The list keeps growing every day, it’s really exciting.  Your website is a great place to differentiate yourself in the competitive construction industry.   

If you want to hear the whole webinar, current members can check it out at ChiefExperts.com, it’s very interesting and will get you thinking about how you can adopt these new marketing strategies and enhance your website to make it more effective.

Good luck!

My First Blog

This is my first venture into the world of blogging.  It seems to be the way the world is moving, so why not. Plus, ‘my boss’ asked me to do it.  We wanted to see how easy it would be for contractors & designers, with limited internet experience, to start your own & I’m about as inexperienced a user as you could find.

I am amazed at how easy it was.  I tried a couple blogging sites & decided that this one, WordPress is the easiest to get up & going. 

A couple things I learned:

• think about your username – that’s how you’ll be found – use your company name if possible
• there are a lot of options – start simple & just jump in
• play around – it’s easy to delete, change, or start over
• if you don’t like writing – find someone in your company or family that does & use them
• write about something you know – your business, the industry, you

Blogging is a great way to increase your company’s exposure.  It also gives your clients and potential clients a more personal glimpse into you & your business.   They get to know you better & when they have a project to be done, they’ll turn to someone they know & trust – you! 

At least that’s the idea & since it takes just a minimal amount of time & effort, why not?

So, give it a try & let us know how it goes.  I’d love to hear about your experience.  Good luck!!  Let us know if we can help. 

Have Fun!
Caron
www.ChiefExperts.com