Talk to a Construction Software Expert
Call Us: 800-688-8226
Share: 

Success Stories

K. Alan Co

Rocky McCampbell is the estimator, builder and general operator of custom
residential home builder K. Alan Co. in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Longtime Customer

Rocky has been a Maxwell Systems Quest customer since 1991. He started with the company’s DOS-based estimating solution before the Windows capable version was available.

“I’ve been with Quest since I began estimating with a computer,” says Rocky. “I use everything you guys come out with relating to digitizing or digital takeoff.” In the years since Rocky began using Maxwell Systems software, the product line has become more sophisticated and robust, and Rocky has continued to experience new benefits from each new release. He regularly uses Maxwell Systems™ Quest Estimator™ with digital takeoff and Maxwell Systems Quest Earthwork™.

Challenges

Working on difficult terrain; determining quantities accurately; organizing job information on paper.

Solution

By choosing our software-based cut and fill estimating product, Rocky was able to accurately determine quantities for any grade of land, and reduce the clutter in his workspace by storing information in an accessible electronic database.

Results

Rocky is able to win bids by showing clients aspects of the job such as costs and grading, which he could not do without Maxwell Systems software.

The Benefits of Automated Estimating

“Before I began using Maxwell Systems software products, my bid information was compiled on many, many pages of legal note pads,“ says Rocky. “Viewing or capturing that information was a frustrating exercise in page flipping. Now the pricing information I need is categorically listed in my database and I can easily transfer the information and work I generate during the course of creating an estimate from Estimator’s Notepad to my estimate.”

Rocky continues, “I can review and change or update pricing and quantity information in the estimate with the comfort of knowing I have all of my work saved. During many discussions with clients regarding the cost of items listed in my estimate, I have been able to quickly refer back to the saved Notepad and takeoff information to refresh my memory or substantiate quantities. That ability helps establish the credibility of my estimate. Plus, when the time comes to order materials or check budgeted cost against bid amounts, the same information is readily available.”

Quest Earthwork Proves Invaluable

Rocky relays the reason he decided to buy Quest Earthwork: “Many of the building sites on which I am constructing homes have extreme topographical features. Most sites have significant elevation changes. I could not produce accurate estimates regarding cut and fill or determine foundation characteristics I need to understand without this software. It’s a fantastic tool! The 3-D capability is incredible.”

“I recently won a contract because of this (3-D) feature,” Rocky continues. “My client’s eyes lit up when I showed them how the proposed grading plan interacted with the lower level floor plan design of their future home. The golf course view the architect and landscape architect had promised suddenly became obvious and the remaining contract discussions seemed to go more easily because of the client’s increased understanding.“

Rocky adds, “The cut and fill information I gain from using the Earthwork software makes me feel much more comfortable when determining sitework material quantities. Before using Maxwell Systems’ software, these quantities were very hard to determine with the associated costs always having a big impact on the bottom line. Thankfully, those days are gone! And once I have determined the quantities of cut or fill, the ability to easily transfer the information from Earthwork to Estimator to determine costs is invaluable.“

Rocky has also enjoyed working with Quest Digital Takeoff software. “Even though it has been a great convenience, it’s nice not having to deal with a digitizer,” he says. “Digital takeoff enables me to do my quantity takeoffs easier and faster.”

Rocky believes that Maxwell Systems’ software gives him an advantage over the competition. “I feel like I have a leg up on them,” he says.

“I’m sure glad I have the Quest system.” Rocky concludes. “You’ll have me as a  customer until I retire.”

User-added image
 

7 Reasons You're Ready for a True Technology Partner

Learn 7 selection criteria and how Maxwell Systems stacks up. 

Jackson & Associates General Contractors, Inc

Jackson & Associates is a full-service general contractor performing work in all aspects of construction. The company uses Maxwell Systems American Contractor as its comprehensive business management software solution to manage job cost accounting, payroll, financials, billings, reporting, and much more. The team at Jackson & Associates can better streamline processes, eliminate redundancies, minimize mistakes and costs, maintain a tight audit trail, and manage all accounting activities with the many capabilities of American Contractor.

Follow Us:
Follow Maxwell Systems on Facebook Follow Maxwell Systems on Twitter Watch Maxwell Systems on YouTube Read the Maxwell Systems Blog Maxwell Systems on LinkedIn Subscribe to the Maxwell Systems RSS Feed

Our Story of Complete Construction Software

Maxwell Systems provides construction software solutions that help contractors to streamline workflow, increase productivity, and improve profitability. Furthermore, we understand that today's contractors must optimize processes across all business areas to gain or maintain an increasingly important competitive edge and ensure a successful business. Critical, to that end, is timely and efficient communication and information access among estimating, job cost accounting, and project management teams.

By using a Maxwell Systems complete construction software solution, you'll be able to better operate your business with increased efficiency and streamlined operations, and confidently increase profitability on every project. You will have the tools you need to accomplish more in less time; taking the guesswork out of reaching true profit potential; and improving financial stability for long-term benefit.

Why Maxwell Systems?

Maxwell Systems is truly unique with its ability to offer contractors a complete, seamless software solution that allows:

  • A new level of continuity and productivity among estimating, job cost accounting, and project management
  • Better insight, analysis, and financial oversight for owners to make informed and timely decisions
  • Improved operational efficiencies, cost reductions, and increased profits

Contractors value having an end-to-end solution from one company:

  • All applications work together seamlessly
  • Efficient access to comprehensive support and services
  • A stable technology partner committed to customer success

How Your Business Benefits

A complete construction software solution from Maxwell Systems provides end-to-end control of your business so you can see a day's profit potential at a glance, identify and prevent potential financial losses, spot discrepancies and errors, and manage projects with accurate information in real-time.

With tailored features designed to fit each member on your team, construction company management software ultimately allows your business to:

  • Attain end-to-end control and increased visibility
  • Achieve easy and accurate reporting with real-time data
  • Optimize project execution for maximum profitability
  • Streamline operations with seamless workflow

The Bid-to-Cash Cycle Explained

Managing each of the key process areas of a construction business – Estimating, Construction Accounting, and Project Management – requires vastly different talents and areas of expertise. The reality is that each of these functional groups is related and dependent on one another.

For your organization to run in an optimal fashion, the groups much work together in an optimal fashion. Together, these functional areas compromise what we describe as the Bid-to-Cash Cycle. And our goal at Maxwell Systems is to provide software for construction so you can bridge the needs of the functional groups, better manage this cycle, and so maximize profitability.

When construction estimating software, construction accounting software, and construction project management software are working together in a seamless system as a complete construction business management software solution, then a contractor is truly poised for optimal profit and productivity.

How does a complete solution fit your part of the cycle? Here are a few examples:

  • Owner: It's all about reducing waste, uncovering lost opportunity, exposing shortcomings, and maximizing resources – all which impact profit and the bottom line. With end-to-end visibility of every project, executives can hone business strategy, improve control of cash flow, and keep financials in the black with accurate ROI.
  • Estimator: Beyond estimating projects, the estimator can access more accurate information in regards to how the project actually performs. This will allow the estimator to improve accuracy on future estimates with actual labor and production rates, updated material prices, and other resource related items.
  • Accounting: Not only a company's construction accounting system, a complete solution helps to streamline the procurement processes for optimal efficiencies and produces more accurate purchasing processes. Additionally, billing processes, inventory issuances, and many other processes are streamlined. Less data entry, better accuracy, and reliable audit trail allow convenience and peace of mind.
  • Project Manager: The seamless workflow from Estimating to Project Tracking allows for a streamlined method of creating the job and then tracking performance against the estimate. Within the complete solution, the construction project management programs also provide the detail required for the Project Manager to understand what the Estimator was thinking when the bid was put together. Plus, by accessing real-time information whether in the office or in the field, the project manager can track progress, be more agile, and better handle all aspects of jobs from beginning to end.

Bottom Line

To succeed in today's competitive marketplace, construction business owners must improve productivity and have end-to-end visibility to see how jobs perform (and turn profit) from start to finish. Maxwell Systems knows construction company software and can be your partner by offering truly unique products (as well as support and services) that address the entire construction project lifecycle – from digital takeoff through final cash payment. Our seamless system provides your company with all the capabilities you need for estimating, job cost accounting, and project management, and ultimately for superior insight and analysis of your business.

Imagine the flexibility and insight by having one solution for estimating projects, for construction accounting programs, and for construction project software! All that and more in one system will help your business be more competitive and profitable.

Maxwell Systems
Complete Construction Software Solutions
© 2012 Maxwell Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. | 800-688-8226 | Sitemap | Privacy Policy | Terms