RSMeans data, from Gordian (Costworks) vs. Trimble Accubid

Again, CostWorks is very good at developing models of standard industry facilities/buildings, and it does this very accurately and efficiently. It is not a software that I would use to develop a very detailed line-item cost estimate that would possibly need several revisions to it over the course of the estimate deliverable cycle. And it would not be one I would use where the estimate needs to be broken down into phases or areas of construction. It just doesn't have these capabilities, and maybe it shouldn't. However, it is an excellent resource for running along side other estimating softwares in that its database of line-items is one of immense depth and as I stated before, I use it all the time in conjunction with my other client-specified softwares so that I can find line-items that those softwares just do not contain.

Incentivized

We use Trimble Accubid to do detailed cost estimates for larger jobs. If a job has a set of blueprints, the software is designed to go through each page systematically to aggregate a bid. Where it is less appropriate are for smaller service jobs. It takes a lot of setup for a new job there are other solutions better suited for service work.

Incentivized

• CostWorks is very good at generating quick and valid estimates for standardized facilities such as office buildings, schools, etc. It allows you to validate other cost estimates at the UniFormat level when doing an estimate validation.
• CostWorks' database of detailed line-items is a very resourceful asset when it comes to finding a very specific line-item. Sometimes, when using Success or MII, I will have CostWorks open on the other screen so I can find an item that the other softwares just don't have and build it into the other software from the CostWorks entry.
• CostWorks does a very good job of generating reports that are both well-developed and have enough detail at the summary level to be able to sit with a client or a project manager and have them follow along and understand without being overwhelmed with detail and numbers.

Incentivized

• Allows for fine control of inputs and variables.
• Gives a multitude of ways to analyze data.

Incentivized

• small project costs where labor is a bigger portion than materials on cost
• markup factors on governmental projects

Incentivized

• The user interface for adding assemblies to a job
• Material database management
• Doesn't integrate well with any other platforms other than their own.

Incentivized

I've never had the need to discuss CostWorks with a vendor.

Incentivized

The training packets are thorough and they are easy to understand. Live support is harder to come by, however, I haven't had any major problems that I have needed to overcome. The best support is not needing to have support in the first place. Ease of use makes this mostly not an issue.

Incentivized

CostWorks is much quicker than manually looking up costs and copying them to a spreadsheet.

Incentivized

I was not involved in the decision-making process to purchase Accubid.

Incentivized

• Good - it saves a lot of time on producing estimates

Incentivized

• Accubid allows for accurate pricing of electrical estimates.
• Accubid's accurate pricing allows for more competitive bid estimates.

Incentivized