Success Stories
Tapani Plumbing
When Tapani Plumbing, one of the top mechanical contracting firms in the Washington/Oregon region, decided to expand its business, the staff knew it needed an estimating system that would support the complex work they would be undertaking. The company, which has over 20 years of experience working in new construction for residential projects such as assisted living homes, apartment complexes and condominiums, recently decided to add commercial building to its repertoire. Ed Homola, Senior Estimator and Project Manager, knew he needed the proper tools to ensure their continued success in providing quality work. Based on the recommendation of another Maxwell Systems Estimation user in the area, the company chose our program to help smooth the transition.
Challenges
The company was unable to accurately estimate material costs, as these change frequently.
Solution
Tapani Plumbing acquired a program from Maxwell Systems that automatically links to current material price lists from a major supplier.
Results
The company has been able to produce more accurate bids because the material updates it receives help ensure they always have the current material prices.
Better Bidding Through Automation
What most impressed Homola with the system was its accuracy. His biggest responsibilities to the company are producing timely and accurate estimates and ensuring that project costs are within the owner’s budget; therefore, accuracy and speed are of the utmost concern. The first job he bid with Estimation was a grocery store remodel. “Bidding it our old way,” he said, “We came up with $80,000. I then bid it with Estimation and came up with $116,000. We got the job and the next bidder was at $118,000!” He continues, “Estimation bid was right on the money. We more than paid for the program with our first job.”
Before bidding with Maxwell Systems, Homola said, “We were taking a stab in the dark,” especially with material costs. He explains, “We were going on history and with prices going up so often, we were totally guessing.” Tapani receives material updates from Ferguson, which are automatically updated in the Estimation program, guaranteeing that their material prices are always current. Homola also finds the program’s takeoff extremely helpful because it provides exacts costs for all materials and adds them up automatically. “It would take a year to count it all up by hand,” he said.
Excellent Service For Tapani, And Their Customers
Though Tapani has annual revenues of $8.2 million a year, delivers quality work, and has a dedicated and experienced workforce, the company attributes its success to its customer service. “We are very service-oriented,” Homola said. “We have people on-call at night and on holidays, so if there is a problem, we respond immediately.” Because of this emphasis on customer service, Tapani appreciates the service it receives from Maxwell Systems, especially with training and the HelpDesk. Homola occasionally contacts the Help Desk with questions and comments, “The service has been good – and they haven’t been stumped yet!”
Perhaps his most rewarding experience with Maxwell Systems’ service has been training. He and a coworker attended training about a month after receiving the system and found it extremely helpful in answering his questions. He commented, “We had no problem keeping up and we learned a ton. It was well worth it.” He adds that the instructor was very knowledgeable and he learned how to set up discounts for pricing through Ferguson, as well as setting up labor rates and building assemblies.
Looking Toward The Future
Tapani is looking forward to venturing into commercial building and expects that the quality of their work will only improve with the help of Estimation. Homola said of the program, “It is making us money. I would definitely recommend it to other companies.”

