Clear Estimates vs McCormick Estimating

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Our analysts compared Clear Estimates vs McCormick Estimating based on data from our 400+ point analysis of Construction Estimating Software, user reviews and our own crowdsourced data from our free software selection platform.

McCormick Estimating Software Tool

Product Basics

Clear Estimates is a cloud-based software designed for contractors and remodelers to address estimation needs. It prepares professional proposals and estimates and calculates average costs while providing pricing data for 400 areas of the U.S. It also comes preloaded with 15,000 parts with detailed labor and material costs.

Over 60 templates for jobs such as garages, bathrooms, kitchens and additions are available. All parts come equipped with contract language to help users avoid writing long proposals. It offers several customization options, enabling users to create and edit templates and parts in boilerplate language.
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McCormick Estimating is a management and estimating solution designed for specialty contractors. Contractors in electrical, mechanical piping, automated building, distribution and transmission, and plumbing use it on industrial, commercial and residential projects. It has four levels and offers modules for single-contractor shops to multi-million dollar contractors. Win 1000 is suitable for a one-man shop, Win 3000 for small – medium contractors, Win 4000 for small – large contractors and Win 6000 for large contractors.

It lets users dot and spot drawings to add selections, edit extensions, view audit trails and track job status. It operates as a stand-alone product or integrates with other modules. It includes more than 25,000 pre-built assemblies and 55,000 items.
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Product Assistance

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Product Insights

  • Streamline Workflows: Integrate with QuickBooks to reduce accounting errors. Enable employees to track work hours electronically. 
  • Generate Error-Free Estimates: Access built-in material and cost databases to avoid quoting mistakes. Create quotes in just a few clicks using internet-enabled devices. 
  • Impress Clients: Produce professional proposals in minutes. Add the company logo, name, address and phone number to reports. 
  • Save Time: Integrate with Buildertrend to complete projects on schedule. Use customizable templates to produce precise estimates. 
  • Deploy on the Cloud: Store data in a secure environment. Enable employees to view and download documents from a centralized location. 
  • Stay Mobile: View information from anywhere at any time using Android or iOS devices. Monitor project progress off-site. 
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  • Increase Productivity: Leverage built-in digital takeoff and smart tools to perform accurate takeoffs without stopping work on-site.  
  • Perform Quick Takeoffs: Bid adieu to time-consuming manual takeoff process with automated tools ensuring faster and more accurate takeoffs.  
  • Streamline Bid Processing: Use the built-in five-step bid processing to prepare attractive bids faster.  
  • Reduce Errors: Eliminate guesswork and manual calculations from takeoff with automated tools specializing in performing calculations digitally. 
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  • Estimation: Access cost databases to create accurate estimates. Reuse data from previous estimates to save time. 
  • Customizable Templates: Remove unwanted parts, change pricing details or add additional components to jobs to speed up estimating processes. 
  • Integrations: Import sales and receipt data to QuickBooks. Export estimates to Buildertrend. Send customer data to existing CRM systems using Zapier. 
  • Localized Pricing: Access region-specific material and labor costs. Acquire pricing data of 400 areas across the U.S. 
  • Professional Proposals: Automatically generate formal proposals by adding parts from databases prewritten in contract language. 
  • Reporting: Update and track project statuses from the project information tab. View statuses of sent proposals and invoices. 
  • Change Order Management: Add alternate prices to projects to maintain financial stability. 
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  • Accounting Integration: Stay on top of financial processes with all major accounting functions in one application.
  • Assembly Takeoff: Complete measurements and estimate material and labor costs to stay on top of schedules.
  • Audit Trail: Trace financial data of particular transactions right from the general ledger to corresponding source documents using audit trails.
  • Bid Management: Manage and update bids according to estimation data to ensure on-time submissions.
  • Billing: Carry out systematic billing of materials and labor costs to update transactions regularly.
  • Customizable Templates: Create, edit and manage templates for different projects. Choose unique templates to portray material values clearly.
  • Electrical Estimating: Estimate and submit bids to win projects and increase business.
  • Electronic Plans: Carry out takeoff operations according to schedule and update milestones as needed.
  • Issue Management: Resolve operational issues and ensure smooth project workflows.
  • Plumbing Estimating: Get quick and accurate estimates, PDF takeoffs and design-builds to create instant material lists and professional final bids.
  • Project Management: Stay on top of daily proceedings in projects. Manage and update particular points to speed up operations.
  • Reporting/Analytics: Leverage analytics to extract reports of past projects for future use.
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Product Ranking

#12

among all
Construction Estimating Software

#43

among all
Construction Estimating Software

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Analyst Rating Summary

57
66
24
49
69
80
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83
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Platform Capabilities
Reports and Dashboards
Takeoff Capabilities

Analyst Ratings for Functional Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

Clear Estimates
McCormick Estimating
+ Add Product + Add Product
Bid Management Cost Management Document And Database Management Estimate Management Platform Capabilities Project Management Reports And Dashboards Takeoff Capabilities 24 69 45 78 93 75 62 0 49 80 83 73 53 57 97 89 0 25 50 75 100
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88%
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88%
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Analyst Ratings for Technical Requirements Customize This Data Customize This Data

33%
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67%
25%
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75%

User Sentiment Summary

Excellent User Sentiment 221 reviews
Great User Sentiment 83 reviews
90%
of users recommend this product

Clear Estimates has a 'excellent' User Satisfaction Rating of 90% when considering 221 user reviews from 2 recognized software review sites.

88%
of users recommend this product

McCormick Estimating has a 'great' User Satisfaction Rating of 88% when considering 83 user reviews from 1 recognized software review sites.

4.54 (112)
n/a
4.5 (109)
4.4 (83)

Awards

Clear Estimates stands above the rest by achieving an ‘Excellent’ rating as a User Favorite.

User Favorite Award

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Synopsis of User Ratings and Reviews

Intuitive Interface: Users praise the platform for its user-friendly design, making it easy to navigate and input project details, even for those who aren't tech-savvy.
Accurate Material Costs: Clear Estimates is recognized for providing reliable material cost data, ensuring estimates are grounded in real-world pricing.
Detailed Reports: The software generates comprehensive reports that clearly outline all aspects of the estimate, facilitating transparent communication with clients.
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Estimating Accuracy: McCormick is known for its comprehensive database of construction costs, which helps estimators produce more accurate bids and reduces the risk of cost overruns.
Efficiency: The software automates many of the tasks involved in estimating, such as quantity takeoffs and pricing, which can save estimators a significant amount of time and effort. McCormick also integrates with other construction software, such as project management and accounting systems, which can further improve efficiency.
Customization: McCormick allows users to customize the software to meet their specific needs, such as creating custom reports and databases. This flexibility makes it a suitable solution for a wide range of construction projects.
Collaboration: McCormick's cloud-based platform enables teams to collaborate on estimates in real-time, regardless of their location. This can improve communication and coordination among team members.
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Limited Customization: Some users have expressed frustration with the limited ability to customize templates and features to align with their specific workflow or company branding.
Learning Curve: While generally considered user-friendly, some individuals have noted a learning curve associated with mastering all of Clear Estimates' features, particularly for those transitioning from traditional spreadsheet-based estimating methods.
Mobile App Functionality: A subset of users have pointed out limitations in the mobile app's functionality compared to the desktop version, particularly regarding offline access and editing capabilities, which can be inconvenient for on-site use.
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Steep Learning Curve: The software's complexity can be overwhelming for new users due to its extensive features and functionalities. This can lead to a prolonged onboarding process and require significant time investment to achieve proficiency.
Cost: McCormick Estimating software can be expensive, especially for smaller construction firms or independent estimators. The pricing structure may involve upfront costs, subscription fees, or module-based purchases, which can impact affordability.
Customization Challenges: While the software offers customization options, tailoring it to specific workflows or industry requirements can be complex. Users may require advanced technical skills or rely on support services to achieve desired customizations.
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Is Clear Estimates clearly the best estimating software out there? User reviews from the past year suggest that Clear Estimates is a solid choice for construction professionals, particularly those focused on residential remodeling. Users praise its ease of use, highlighting the intuitive interface and pre-built templates that expedite the estimate creation process. The software's integration with QuickBooks is also a big plus, streamlining accounting workflows. However, some users express frustration with the limited customization options for reports and proposals. While the software offers some flexibility, it may not fully satisfy users who require highly tailored outputs. A key differentiator for Clear Estimates is its comprehensive database of locally adjusted costs for materials and labor. This feature ensures accurate estimates, saving users from the hassle of manual research and adjustments. Users also appreciate the software's regular price updates, guaranteeing they're working with the most current data. This is particularly crucial in today's volatile market, where prices can fluctuate rapidly. Overall, Clear Estimates is best suited for small to medium-sized remodeling contractors who prioritize ease of use and accurate cost data. Larger firms or those with more complex reporting needs might find the software's limited customization options restrictive.

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McCormick Estimating has garnered positive feedback for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, making it a popular choice among construction professionals. Users appreciate the software's ease of use, highlighting its intuitive design and straightforward functionality, which allows them to quickly learn and utilize the software effectively. The software's affordability further enhances its appeal, making it accessible to businesses of all sizes. Additionally, McCormick Estimating offers a wide range of features that cater to various aspects of the estimating process, including takeoff, bidding, and project management, providing users with a complete solution for their construction estimating needs. However, some users have noted that McCormick Estimating may not be as powerful as some of its competitors, such as Bluebeam Revu or PlanSwift, particularly when it comes to handling complex projects. These users have expressed a desire for more advanced features and capabilities to address the intricacies of larger-scale construction endeavors. Despite these limitations, McCormick Estimating remains a valuable tool for many construction professionals due to its ease of use, affordability, and comprehensive feature set. The software is particularly well-suited for small to medium-sized contractors who require a reliable and efficient estimating solution without the complexity and cost associated with more robust software options.

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